Alpha-Bisabolol: A Versatile Natural Compound with Potent Medicinal Properties

Alpha-bisabolol (α-bisabolol), an unsaturated monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol derived naturally from essential oils of many edible and ornamental plants, is known as one of the “most-used herbal constituents” in the world. It was first obtained from Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile or German chamomile. 

Various therapeutic and biological properties of α-bisabolol in preventing oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders, infections, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and metabolic disorders have been reported. 

Medicinal Properties

α-Bisabolol possesses therapeutic and protective activities, therefore, it can be used for potential health benefits based on pharmacological effects, underlying molecular mechanism, and favorable pharmaceutical properties. Numerous experimental studies demonstrated pharmacological properties of α-Bisabolol including anticancer, antinociceptive, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial. 

 α-Bisabolol may be a promising nutraceutical and phytomedicine to target aberrant biological mechanisms which result in altered physiological processes and various ailments. Given the polypharmacological effects and pleiotropic properties, along with favorable pharmacokinetics, and dietary availability and safety, α-Bisabolol can be used as a dietary agent, nutraceutical or phytopharmaceutical agent or as an adjuvant with currently available modern medicines.

Reference

[1] LUJAIN BADER EDDIN. Health Benefits, Pharmacological Effects, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential of α-Bisabolol[J]. Nutrients, 2022. DOI:10.3390/nu14071370.

[2] ELHAM RAMAZANI . Pharmacological and biological effects of alpha-bisabolol: An updated review of the molecular mechanisms[J]. Life sciences, 2022, 304: Article 120728. DOI:10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120728.