A Review on Cistus sp.: Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities

Abstract

Resistance to drugs is reaching alarming levels and is placing human health at risk. With the lack of new antimicrobials drugs, infectious diseases are becoming harder to treat. Hence, there is an increasing awareness of active phytochemicals with therapeutic functions. The tremendous research interest on the Cistus L. genus includes numerous plants used in traditional medicine by people living around the Mediterranean Sea, also resulted in some interesting discoveries and written literature. This review aimed at gathering scientific literature about Cistus species, describing phytochemical profiles and the various pharmacological activities. We also extensively reviewed the antimicrobial activities, including antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antibacterial potentials of Essential Oils (EO), raw extracts as well as isolated compounds. Mechanisms of action along with methods used are also investigated in this review. Considering the findings of the Cistus species extracts, this genus offers an adequate reserve of active phytochemicals since many have been used to create drugs. Therefore, this review work can serve society by providing a global view on Cistus L. sp. regarding pharmacological potentials and their chemical profiles.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potencies of Chemically-Profiled Essential Oil from Asteriscus graveolens against Clinically-Important Pathogenic Microbial Strains

“…Fungal infections are common in hospitalized patients around the world with several risk factors associated with a shortage of diagnoses [ 41 ]. Many epidemiological data on fungal infections reported that the fungal strains instigated in the present work are involved in a wide range of illnesses.…”

The antibiofilm effects of some Cistus spp. against pathogenic microorganisms

“…Although numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate biological effects of Cistus sp., there is limited research on antibiofilm activity of Cistus sp. against pathogen microorganisms (Zalegh et al, 2021). Hannig et al (2008) revealed that Cistus-tea may be used to reduce the initial bacterial adhesion.…”

“…Turkey has one of the largest floras in Europe and Cistus genus, which is one of the Mediterranean region's characteristic genera, is traditionally used in folk medicine (Catoni et al, 2012;Comandini et al, 2006;Cetin and Yanikoglu, 2006;Attaguile et al, 2000;Ustun and Baykal, 2016). Researchers showed that Cistus species are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids (Stepien et al, 2018;Barrajón-Catalán et al, 2011;Küpeli and Yesilada, 2007;Zalegh et al, 2021). These compounds are effective in using Cistus species as anti-inflammatory (Demetzos et al, 2001), antibacterial (Benali et al, 2020;Güvenç et al, 2005), antifungal (Barros et al, 2013), antiviral (Ehrhardt et al, 2007), analgesic (Sayah et al, 2017), and antitumoral (Dimas et al, 2000).…”

Essential Oils Derived from Cistus Species Activate Mitochondria by Inducing SIRT1 Expression in Human Keratinocytes, Leading to Senescence Inhibition

“…Cistus species have been commonly used in folk medicine as herbal tea, extracts, and fragrances in the Mediterranean region, and specifically in Morocco [ 2 ]. Recently, phytochemical profiles and the various pharmacological activities of Cistus species were reviewed, where the antimicrobial activities, including antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antibacterial potentials, of essential oils, raw extracts, and isolated compounds were introduced [ 3 ]. In the present study, four Cistus species from the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco ( Cistus laurifolius, C. monspeliensis , C. creticus , and C. salviifolius ) which are known to be rich in phenylpropanoids and terpenes were used.…”