Therapeutic Potential and Phytochemical Composition of Santolina chamaecyparissus From Kashmir Himalayas.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are recognized as sustainable and promising alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals. This study examines the pharmacological efficacy of the methanolic leaf extract of Santolina chamaecyparissus, focusing on its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The extract was evaluated by well-diffusion and broth microdilution against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, as well as Candida albicans. MICs ranged from 64 μg/mL (C. albicans) to 256 μg/mL (E. faecalis), with 128 μg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. The antioxidant potential was assessed using a DPPH radical scavenging assay, which revealed a dose-dependent response with 59.23% inhibition at 100 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract displayed potent cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with IC50 values of 85.38 μg/mL at 24 h and 72.46 μg/mL at 48 h, indicating its potential as an anticancer agent. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified key phytoconstituents potentially responsible for these bioactivities. These findings highlight the extract's broad therapeutic promise, supporting S. chamaecyparissus as a candidate for further development in antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer applications.