Phytochemical profiles and potential biological activities of the flower extract of Santalum album L. grown in Dak Lak province

This study explores phytochemical profiles and several biological activities of Santalum album L. flowers collected from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of Santalum album flower extracts reveals the presence of free triterpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, particularly in the alcohol and water extracts, suggesting a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic benefits, while other compound groups like saponins, alkaloids, coumarins, and essential oils are either absent or present in very low concentrations. Through UHPLC methods, a range of bioactive compounds were identified, including 10 flavonoids and 2 polyphenols compounds. Main compounds identified include salicylic acid, vitexin and catechin. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays with IC50 values of 152.08 ± 0.11 µg/mL and 104.32 ± 0.19 µg/mL, respectively, showing significant free radical inhibition. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase with IC50 value of 233.05 ± 0.32 µg/mL and 124.27 ± 0.17 µg/mL respectively. These findings suggest the potential of the Santalum album L. flower extract in managing diabetes, particularly with its weaker inhibition of α-amylase compared to acarbose, which may help minimize side effects commonly associated with synthetic drugs. This research represents the first comprehensive phytochemical investigation of Santalum album flowers, revealing a rich chemical profile that supports further exploration into their pharmacological applications.