<i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential

Members of the <i>Apiaceae</i> family have been recognized since antiquity for their health-promoting properties. The halophytic species <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L. (commonly known as sea fennel) has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity, largely due to its diver...

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Main Authors: Velina Dzhoglova, Stanislava Ivanova, Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva, Kremena Saracheva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2832
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author Velina Dzhoglova
Stanislava Ivanova
Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva
Kremena Saracheva
author_facet Velina Dzhoglova
Stanislava Ivanova
Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva
Kremena Saracheva
author_sort Velina Dzhoglova
collection DOAJ
description Members of the <i>Apiaceae</i> family have been recognized since antiquity for their health-promoting properties. The halophytic species <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L. (commonly known as sea fennel) has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity, largely due to its diverse and bioactive phytochemical composition. The plant’s complex chemical composition includes terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, dietary fibers, fatty acids, and essential vitamins. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from <i>C. maritimum</i> L. have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Moreover, recent evidence suggests additional biofunctional roles such as cognitive enhancement and the inhibition of melanin synthesis in the skin. Extracts of the plant exhibit significant bioactivity, having shown antiparasitic, hypoglycemic, vasodilatory, and probiotic effects in preliminary studies. Despite this pharmacological potential, the number of experimental studies (particularly in vivo investigations) remains limited. The present review consolidates existing in vitro and in vivo research on <i>C. maritimum</i> L. with an analysis of 79 scientific studies aimed at elucidating its therapeutic potential and identifying future research directions necessary to support its broader application in biomedical and functional food contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-b4fe8d5d7a794fea8bf2b63e51b42acd2025-08-20T03:16:43ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-07-013013283210.3390/molecules30132832<i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic PotentialVelina Dzhoglova0Stanislava Ivanova1Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva2Kremena Saracheva3Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaDepartment of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaResearch Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaResearch Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, BulgariaMembers of the <i>Apiaceae</i> family have been recognized since antiquity for their health-promoting properties. The halophytic species <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L. (commonly known as sea fennel) has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity, largely due to its diverse and bioactive phytochemical composition. The plant’s complex chemical composition includes terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, dietary fibers, fatty acids, and essential vitamins. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from <i>C. maritimum</i> L. have demonstrated a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Moreover, recent evidence suggests additional biofunctional roles such as cognitive enhancement and the inhibition of melanin synthesis in the skin. Extracts of the plant exhibit significant bioactivity, having shown antiparasitic, hypoglycemic, vasodilatory, and probiotic effects in preliminary studies. Despite this pharmacological potential, the number of experimental studies (particularly in vivo investigations) remains limited. The present review consolidates existing in vitro and in vivo research on <i>C. maritimum</i> L. with an analysis of 79 scientific studies aimed at elucidating its therapeutic potential and identifying future research directions necessary to support its broader application in biomedical and functional food contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2832<i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.herbal medicinesnatural productshepatoprotectionessential oils
spellingShingle Velina Dzhoglova
Stanislava Ivanova
Michaela Shishmanova-Doseva
Kremena Saracheva
<i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
Molecules
<i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.
herbal medicines
natural products
hepatoprotection
essential oils
title <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
title_full <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
title_fullStr <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
title_full_unstemmed <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
title_short <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.: Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential
title_sort i crithmum maritimum i l phytochemical profile biological activities and therapeutic potential
topic <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L.
herbal medicines
natural products
hepatoprotection
essential oils
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2832
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AT michaelashishmanovadoseva icrithmummaritimumilphytochemicalprofilebiologicalactivitiesandtherapeuticpotential
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