alpha-santalol

Alpha-santalol is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol and a primary bioactive constituent of sandalwood oil, derived from the heartwood of *Santalum album*. It has demonstrated significant chemopreventive and anti-tumor activities in various preclinical models, particularly in skin cancer and melanoma. Its mechanism of action involves the induction of G2/M phase cell cycle arrest by modulating key regulatory proteins such as cyclin B1, cdc2, and p21, as well as the selective disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in malignant cells. Additionally, alpha-santalol has been shown to induce apoptosis and influence p53 expression, exhibiting selective toxicity toward cancer cells while sparing normal human keratinocytes at therapeutic concentrations.

Other names

α-santalol