Juniperus oxycedrus L. phytochemistry and pharmacological properties: A review

Since the primitive ages, the vegetal world has contained a vast array of species, generating various biologically active compounds with diverse chemical frameworks. Throughout the centuries, medicinal and aromatic plants maintained their importance, and the interest in these herbs has been continuously growing leading to the significant promise for their application in therapeutic medicine, destined to overcome many difficult illnesses and considered important reservoirs of drug candidates and primary compounds. This review aimed to examine and give an outline of Juniperus oxycedrus which is regarded as among the plant species that have many biological activities and contains many valuable bioactive compounds, forming a huge interest for researchers. We studied the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, chemical applications, pharmacological, and food control properties of Juniperus oxycedrus to help provide easier access to information for future and potential research. Ethnobotanical inspection revealed the utilization of Juniperus oxycedrus for addressing various health conditions, while the pharmacological investigations indicated that Juniperus oxycedrus demonstrated noteworthy diabetic suppression, redox damage-reducing, inflammation-inhibiting, germ-fighting, cell growth-regulating, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Supplementary research should focus on its phytochemical composition, and thorough exploration is needed to confirm its potential as a food preservative and its clinical potential in the observed therapeutic effects.