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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022Monoterpenes make up the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. They can be found in numerous plants, among others, the family. The compounds demonstrate... (Review)
Review
Monoterpenes make up the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. They can be found in numerous plants, among others, the family. The compounds demonstrate antioxidative, antibacterial, sedative and anti-inflammatory activity, hence, they are often employed in medicine and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, their fragrant character is often made use of, notably in the food and cosmetic industries. Nevertheless, long-lasting studies have revealed their toxic properties. This fact has led to a detailed analysis of the compounds towards their side effects on the human organism. Although most are safe for human food and medical applications, there are monoterpene compounds that, in certain amounts or under particular circumstances (e.g., pregnancy), can cause serious disorders. The presented review characterises in vitro and in vivo, the toxic character of selected monoterpenes (α-terpinene, camphor, citral, limonene, pulegone, thujone), as well as that of their original plant sources and their essential oils. The selected monoterpenes reveal various toxic properties among which are embryotoxic, neurotoxic, allergenic and genotoxic. It is also known that the essential oils of popular plants can also reveal toxic characteristics that many people are unaware of.
Topics: Camphor; Female; Humans; Lamiaceae; Limonene; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35268817
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051716 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2023Monoterpenes, volatile metabolites produced by plants, are involved in the taste and aroma perception of fruits and vegetables and have been used for centuries in... (Review)
Review
Monoterpenes, volatile metabolites produced by plants, are involved in the taste and aroma perception of fruits and vegetables and have been used for centuries in gastronomy, as food preservatives and for therapeutic purposes. Biological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory are well-established for some of these molecules. More recently, the ability of monoterpenes to regulate energy metabolism, and exert antidiabetic, anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulation activities have been described. Despite their promising health effects, the lack of reliable quantification of monoterpenes in food, hindered the investigation of their role as dietary bioactive compounds in epidemiological studies. Moreover, only few studies have documented the biotransformation of these compounds and identified the monoterpene metabolites with biological activity. This review presents up-to-date knowledge about the occurrence of monoterpenes in food, their bioavailability and potential role in the modulation of intermediate metabolism and inflammation, focusing on novel findings of molecular mechanisms, underlining research gaps and new avenues to be explored.
Topics: Monoterpenes; Plants; Fruit; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 34387521
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1963945 -
ACS Synthetic Biology Jan 2022Prokaryotic transcription factors can be repurposed as analytical and synthetic tools for precise chemical measurement and regulation. Monoterpenes encompass a broad...
Prokaryotic transcription factors can be repurposed as analytical and synthetic tools for precise chemical measurement and regulation. Monoterpenes encompass a broad chemical family that are commercially valuable as flavors, cosmetics, and fragrances, but have proven difficult to measure, especially in cells. Herein, we develop genetically encoded, generalist monoterpene biosensors by using directed evolution to expand the effector specificity of the camphor-responsive TetR-family regulator CamR from . Using a novel negative selection coupled with a high-throughput positive screen (Seamless Enrichment of Ligand-Inducible Sensors, SELIS), we evolve CamR biosensors that can recognize four distinct monoterpenes: borneol, fenchol, eucalyptol, and camphene. Different evolutionary trajectories surprisingly yielded common mutations, emphasizing the utility of CamR as a platform for creating generalist biosensors. Systematic promoter optimization driving the reporter increased the system's signal-to-noise ratio to 150-fold. These sensors can serve as a starting point for the high-throughput screening and dynamic regulation of bicyclic monoterpene production strains.
Topics: Bicyclic Monoterpenes; Biosensing Techniques; Camphor; Monoterpenes; Pseudomonas putida; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 34985281
DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00402 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Monoterpene thiols are one of the classes of natural flavors that impart the smell of citrus fruits, grape must and wine, black currants, and guava and are used as... (Review)
Review
Monoterpene thiols are one of the classes of natural flavors that impart the smell of citrus fruits, grape must and wine, black currants, and guava and are used as flavoring agents in the food and perfume industries. Synthetic monoterpene thiols have found an application in asymmetric synthesis as chiral auxiliaries, derivatizing agents, and ligands for metal complex catalysis and organocatalysts. Since monoterpenes and monoterpenoids are a renewable source, there are emerging trends to use monoterpene thiols as monomers for producing new types of green polymers. Monoterpene thioderivatives are also known to possess antioxidant, anticoagulant, antifungal, and antibacterial activity. The current review covers methods for the synthesis of acyclic, mono-, and bicyclic monoterpene thiols, as well as some investigations related to their usage for the preparation of the compounds with antimicrobial properties.
Topics: Monoterpenes; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Wine; Vitis
PubMed: 37958865
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115884 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jan 2022Thymol and carvacrol as natural essential oils and phenol compounds are components derived from some medicinal plants, such as thyme and oregano species. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Thymol and carvacrol as natural essential oils and phenol compounds are components derived from some medicinal plants, such as thyme and oregano species.
OBJECTIVES
The increasing demands in organic and healthy meat and egg consumption in human society have made it necessary to consider alternative natural compounds for the replacement of chemical compounds in poultry production. The chemical compounds can remain in meat and eggs and cause complications in human health. Therefore, these natural compounds can be fed with a higher safety in poultry production with specific effects. In this regard, the role of thymol and carvacrol as natural compounds in the poultry production has been discussed in the review.
METHODS
In this study, by searching for keywords related to thymol and carvacrol in poultry production in Google Scholar database, the articles related to different aspects of the biological effects of these two phytogenes in poultry production were selected and analyzed.
RESULTS
A review of previous studies has shown that thymol and carvacrol possess a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, modulating of immunity response and regulating of the gut microbial population. Also, in meat type chickens can promote growth and influence feed utilization. The beneficial effect of this compound was evaluated in hepatic toxicity and demonstrated as a hepatoprotective compound in chickens. Furthermore, these compounds can affect the behavior of layers and influence egg composition, eggshell thickness, and the sensory quality of eggs.
CONCLUSION
It seems that with the increasing demand for healthy protein products, these compounds can be used to improve performance as a substitute alternative for chemical compounds in healthy poultry farms.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Cymenes; Dietary Supplements; Monoterpenes; Poultry; Thymol
PubMed: 34761555
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.663 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022The purpose of this article is to present recent studies on the antimicrobial properties of linalool, the mechanism of action on cells and detoxification processes. The... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this article is to present recent studies on the antimicrobial properties of linalool, the mechanism of action on cells and detoxification processes. The current trend of employing compounds present in essential oils to support antibiotic therapy is becoming increasingly popular. Naturally occurring monoterpene constituents of essential oils are undergoing detailed studies to understand their detailed effects on the human body, both independently and in doses correlated with currently used pharmaceuticals. One such compound is linalool, which is commonly found in many herbs and is used to flavor black tea. This compound is an excellent fragrance additive for cosmetics, enhancing the preservative effect of the formulations used in them or acting as an anti-inflammatory on mild skin lesions. Previous studies have shown that it is extremely important due to its broad spectrum of biological activities, i.e., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective and antimicrobial. Among opportunistic hospital strains, it is most active against Gram-negative bacteria. The mechanism of action of linalool against microorganisms is still under intensive investigation. One of the key aspects of linalool research is biotransformation, through which its susceptibility to detoxification processes is determined.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; Oils, Volatile; Monoterpenes; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Tea; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 36296521
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27206928 -
Marine Drugs Sep 2019Macroalgae produce a wide range of monoterpenes as secondary metabolites of mevalonate (MVA) and/or methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway (often including... (Review)
Review
Macroalgae produce a wide range of monoterpenes as secondary metabolites of mevalonate (MVA) and/or methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway (often including haloperoxidase action). Great biodiversity of macroalgal monoterpenes was reported including acyclic, monocyclic, and bicyclic structures. Halogenated monoterpenes exhibited significant biological activity (e.g., anticancer, antiplasmodial, and insecticidal) that is influenced by the number of present halogens (higher halogen content is preferable, especially bromine) and their position within the monoterpene skeleton. In distinction from the existing reviews, the present review provides novelty with respect to: (a) exclusively monoterpenes from red macroalgae are targeted; (b) biosynthesis, isolation, and analysis, as well as bioactivity of monoterpenes are represented; (c) the methods of their isolation, analysis, and structure elucidation are summarized; (d) the bioactivity of macroalgal monoterpenes is systematically presented with emphasis on anticancer activity; (e) the literature references were updated.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Erythritol; Humans; Mevalonic Acid; Molecular Structure; Monoterpenes; Rhodophyta; Seaweed; Sugar Phosphates
PubMed: 31527497
DOI: 10.3390/md17090537 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2015Carvacrol is a monoterpenic phenol produced by an abundant number of aromatic plants, including thyme and oregano. Presently, carvacrol is used in low concentrations as... (Review)
Review
Carvacrol is a monoterpenic phenol produced by an abundant number of aromatic plants, including thyme and oregano. Presently, carvacrol is used in low concentrations as a food flavoring ingredient and preservative, as well as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetic formulations. In recent years, considerable research has been undertaken in an effort to establish the biological actions of carvacrol for its potential use in clinical applications. Results from in vitro and in vivo studies show that carvacrol possess a variety of biological and pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, spasmolytic, and vasorelaxant. The focus of this review is to evaluate the existing knowledge regarding the biological, pharmacological, and toxicological effects of carvacrol.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antioxidants; Cymenes; Humans; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils
PubMed: 24915411
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2011.653458 -
BioMed Research International 2022Monoterpenes are a group of natural products that have been widely studied due to their therapeutic potential against various pathologies. These compounds are abundant... (Review)
Review
Monoterpenes are a group of natural products that have been widely studied due to their therapeutic potential against various pathologies. These compounds are abundant in the chemical composition of essential oils. Cancer is a term that covers more than 100 different types of malignant diseases and is among the leading causes of death in the world. Therefore, the search for new pharmacotherapeutic options applicable to cancer is urgent. In this review, studies on the antitumor activity of monoterpenes found in essential oils were selected, and botanical, chemical, and pharmacological aspects were discussed. The most investigated monoterpenes were carvacrol and linalool with highly significant and tumor inhibition in several types of cancers. The action mechanisms of these natural products are also presented and are wildly varied being apoptosis the most prevalent followed by cell cycle impairment, ROS production, autophagy, necroptosis, and others. The studies reported here confirm the antitumor properties of monoterpenes and their anticancer potential against various types of tumors, as demonstrated in and studies using various types of cancer cells and tumors in animal models. The data described serve as a reference for the advancement in the mechanistic studies of these compounds and in the preparation of synthetic derivatives or analogues with a better antitumor profile.
Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Monoterpenes; Neoplasms; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 35655488
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6317201 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Jan 2021Monoterpenes are molecules with insecticide properties whose mechanism of action is, however, not completely elucidated. Furthermore, they seem to be able to modulate...
Monoterpenes are molecules with insecticide properties whose mechanism of action is, however, not completely elucidated. Furthermore, they seem to be able to modulate the monoaminergic system and several behavioural aspects in insects. In particular, tyramine (TA) and octopamine (OA) and their associated receptors orchestrate physiological processes such as feeding, locomotion and metabolism. Here, we show that monoterpenes not only act as biopesticides in species but also can cause complex behavioural alterations that require functional type 1 tyramine receptors (TAR1s). Variations in metabolic traits as well as locomotory activity were evaluated in both and after treatment with three monoterpenes. A TAR1-defective strain () was used to better understand the relationships between the receptor and monoterpene-related behavioural changes. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that, in the brain, TAR1 appeared to be mainly expressed in the pars intercerebralis, lateral horn, olfactory and optic lobes and suboesophageal ganglion lobes. In comparison to wild-type , the flies showed a phenotype characterized by higher triglyceride levels and food intake as well as lower locomotory activity. The monoterpenes, tested at sublethal concentrations, were able to induce a downregulation of the coding gene in both species. Furthermore, monoterpenes also altered the behaviour in wild-type and 24 h after continuous monoterpene exposure. Interestingly, they were ineffective in modifying the physiological performance of TAR1-defective flies. In conclusion, it appears that monoterpenes not only act as biopesticides for but also can interfere with behaviour and metabolism in a TAR1-dependent fashion.
Topics: Animals; Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster; Monoterpenes; Octopamine; Tyramine
PubMed: 33234680
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.232116