New Caledonia sandalwood essential oil, Santalum austrocaledonicum Vieill: A review of production, major chemical compounds, pharmacological properties and therapeutic uses

Abstract

New Caledonian sandalwood essential oil Santalum austrocaledonicum Vieill. Is best known as a base note and natural fixative in perfumes. This hardwood essential oil, mainly produced in New Caledonia and Vanuatu, has a high proportion of sesquiterpene alcohols. Of the two reported chemotypes, the most widely marketed and common is very rich in (Z)-a- and (Z)-b-santalol; the other contains significantly less. Pharmacologically, it is mainly the antimicrobial activities of the essential oil that have been the subject of published evaluations since 2018, in comparison or in combination with many other essential oils. This essential oil has shown ‘in vitro’ marked inhibitory effects assessed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurements against twelve Gram-positive bacterial species, five Gram-negative bacterial species, and one fungus out of a total of 21 microorganisms tested, most of which are pathogenic to humans. It exhibits a very interesting inhibitory capacity compared to many other essential oils. The therapeutic use of New Caledonian sandalwood essential oil is relatively undeveloped and fairly recent. Its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and relaxing effects are the most frequently cited in the literature. This review provides a compilation of scientific data on the major chemical components, pharmacological tests, and therapeutic indications related to this essential oil.