A 2023 study evaluated the biological activities of cypress oil, the essential oil derived from the Cupressus sempervirens tree. With a rich history in traditional medicine, cypress oil's various biological activities were evaluated, showcasing its potential health benefits.
Cypress oil was evaluated for its antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, and antiproliferative properties, and showed promising results with no negative effects on normal cells. The study was conducted both in vitro (in a laboratory setting using cells) and in situ (on living organisms, in this case insects).
The study found that cypress oil is rich in two monoterpene compounds: alpha-pinene and delta-3-carene. The results of the study show that cypress oil has strong antioxidant properties, making it effective in combating harmful radicals that can cause damage to cells in the body.
In addition to its antioxidant properties, the study also found that cypress oil has strong antimicrobial effects. Cypress oil was found to be particularly effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, with better results obtained using the agar diffusion method compared to the disc diffusion method. The oil also showed weak to moderate antifungal activity, with its efficacy depending on the concentration used. The study also demonstrated the oil's ability to inhibit the formation of biofilms, which are protective structures that some bacteria form to protect themselves from antibiotics and other treatments.
The study also evaluated the effect of cypress oil on cancer cells and insect pests. The results showed that exposure to cypress oil significantly decreased the viability of cancer cells, with sensitivity being highest in cells from a chronic myelogenous leukemia line. The oil also showed strong insecticidal activity, with the potential to be used in the control of agricultural insect pests in the future.
In conclusion, the results of the study indicate that cypress oil has a wide range of biological activities and could find potential applications in areas such as storage extension and protection of products, control of agricultural insect pests, and the treatment of cancer. Further tests are required to fully understand the potential of this essential oil.
Study Title: Biological Activity of Cupressus sempervirens Essential Oil
Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10005373