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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin levels or insulin resistance. Despite the... (Review)
Review
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin levels or insulin resistance. Despite the availability of several oral and injectable hypoglycemic agents, their use is associated with a wide range of side effects. Monoterpenes are compounds extracted from different plants including herbs, vegetables, and fruits and they contribute to their aroma and flavor. Based on their chemical structure, monoterpenes are classified into acyclic, monocyclic, and bicyclic monoterpenes. They have been found to exhibit numerous biological and medicinal effects such as antipruritic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. Therefore, monoterpenes emerged as promising molecules that can be used therapeutically to treat a vast range of diseases. Additionally, monoterpenes were found to modulate enzymes and proteins that contribute to insulin resistance and other pathological events caused by DM. In this review, we highlight the different mechanisms by which monoterpenes can be used in the pharmacological intervention of DM via the alteration of certain enzymes, proteins, and pathways involved in the pathophysiology of DM. Based on the fact that monoterpenes have multiple mechanisms of action on different targets in in vitro and in vivo studies, they can be considered as lead compounds for developing effective hypoglycemic agents. Incorporating these compounds in clinical trials is needed to investigate their actions in diabetic patients in order to confirm their ability in controlling hyperglycemia.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Clinical Decision-Making; Clinical Studies as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus; Disease Susceptibility; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Glucose; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Monoterpenes; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 35011414
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010182 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2021(Myrtaceae) comprises approximately 266 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. taxa have great ecological, economic, and medicinal... (Review)
Review
(Myrtaceae) comprises approximately 266 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. taxa have great ecological, economic, and medicinal relevance due to their essential oils' chemical diversity and biological potential. This review reports 18 species growing around the world and the chemical and biological properties of their essential oils. Chemically, 110 oil records are reported with significant variability of volatile constituents, according to their seasonality and collection sites. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes with acyclic (C and C), -menthane, pinane, bisabolane, germacrane, caryophyllane, cadinane, and aromadendrane skeleton-types, were the primary constituents. The essential oils showed various biological activities, including antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, phytotoxic, larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties. This review contributes to the species rational and economic exploration as natural sources to produce new drugs.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antifungal Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Humans; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Psidium; Sesquiterpenes
PubMed: 33673039
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040965 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Plant products have been employed in medicine for centuries. As the world becomes more health-conscious, there is a growing interest in natural and minimally processed... (Review)
Review
Plant products have been employed in medicine for centuries. As the world becomes more health-conscious, there is a growing interest in natural and minimally processed products for oral health care. This has led to an increase in research into the bioactive compounds found in plant products, particularly monoterpenes. Monoterpenes are known to have beneficial biological properties, but the specific mechanisms by which they exert their effects are not yet fully understood. Despite this, some monoterpenes are already being used in oral health care. For example, thymol, which has antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in varnish used for caries prevention. In addition to this, monoterpenes have also demonstrated antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making them versatile for various applications. As research continues, there is potential for even more discoveries regarding the benefits of monoterpenes in oral health care. This narrative literature review gives an overview of the biological properties and current and potential applications of selected monoterpenes and their derivatives in oral health care. These compounds demonstrate promising potential for future medical development, and their applications in future research are expected to expand.
Topics: Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Thymol; Antifungal Agents; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37894657
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207178 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2023Traditional herbal medicines based on natural products play a pivotal role in preventing and managing atherosclerotic diseases, which are among the leading causes of... (Review)
Review
Traditional herbal medicines based on natural products play a pivotal role in preventing and managing atherosclerotic diseases, which are among the leading causes of death globally. Monoterpenes are a large class of naturally occurring compounds commonly found in many aromatic and medicinal plants. Emerging evidence has shown that monoterpenes have many biological properties, including cardioprotective effects. Remarkably, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of natural monoterpenes to protect against the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These findings shed light on developing novel effective antiatherogenic drugs from these compounds. Herein, we provide an overview of natural monoterpenes' effects on atherogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. Monoterpenes have pleiotropic and multitargeted pharmacological properties by interacting with various cell types and intracellular molecular pathways involved in atherogenesis. These properties confer remarkable advantages in managing atherosclerosis, which has been recognized as a multifaceted vascular disease. We also discuss limitations in the potential clinical application of monoterpenes as therapeutic agents against atherosclerosis. We propose perspectives to give new insights into future preclinical research and clinical practice regarding natural monoterpenes.
Topics: Monoterpenes; Plants, Medicinal; Biological Products; Atherosclerosis
PubMed: 36768748
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032429 -
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 -
Biomolecules Dec 2021Carvone is a monoterpene ketone contained in the essential oils of several aromatic and medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families. From aromatic plants,... (Review)
Review
Carvone is a monoterpene ketone contained in the essential oils of several aromatic and medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families. From aromatic plants, this monoterpene is secreted at different concentrations depending on the species, the parts used, and the extraction methods. Currently, pharmacological investigations showed that carvone exhibits multiple pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antineuraminidase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. These studies were carried out in vitro and in vivo and involved a great deal of knowledge on the mechanisms of action. Indeed, the antimicrobial effects are related to the action of carvone on the cell membrane and to ultrastructural changes, while the anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects involve the action on cellular and molecular targets such as inducing of apoptosis, autophagy, and senescence. With its multiple mechanisms, carvone can be considered as natural compounds to develop therapeutic drugs. However, other investigations regarding its precise mechanisms of action as well as its acute and chronic toxicities are needed to validate its applications. Therefore, this review discusses the principal studies investigating the pharmacological properties of carvone, and the mechanism of action underlying some of these properties. Moreover, further investigations of major pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies were also suggested.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Autophagy; Cell Membrane; Cell Survival; Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils
PubMed: 34944447
DOI: 10.3390/biom11121803 -
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) Jun 2022Volatile organic compounds (VOC) affect the quality of indoor air. Terpenes and especially monoterpenes are the main molecules emitted from softwood material (coniferous...
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) affect the quality of indoor air. Terpenes and especially monoterpenes are the main molecules emitted from softwood material (coniferous species), which is widely used in construction. The corneal epithelium is one of the first human membranes to encounter VOCs in the air. Moreover, the industrial use of pleasant-scented monoterpenes in cosmetics, food, and detergents exposes people to monoterpenes in their daily lives. In the present study, the health effective properties of five monoterpenes from softwood were tested; cytotoxicity and oxidative stress-protective effects of α- and β-pinenes, R- and S-limonene, and 3-carene were tested in a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell model system and with two additional in vitro antioxidant tests: oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) scavenging. Antibacterial efficacies were tested with two bioluminescent bacterial biosensor strains ( K12+pcGLS11 and RN4220+pAT19) and with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test against . Only very high concentrations of monoterpenes (0.3-0.5 mg/mL) demonstrated cytotoxicity against HCE cells. Contrary to the original hypothesis, monoterpenes did not exhibit strong antioxidant properties in tested concentrations. However, biosensors and MIC tests indicated clear antibacterial activities for all tested monoterpenes.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antioxidants; Escherichia coli; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 35745011
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123891 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2020Traditional remedies have been used for thousand years for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. Of growing... (Review)
Review
Traditional remedies have been used for thousand years for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. Of growing interest, the plant , known for its malarial properties, has been studied for its numerous biological activities including metabolic, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties. is very rich in secondary metabolites such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds, of which the biological properties have been extensively studied. The purpose of this review is to gather and describe the data concerning the main chemical components produced by and to describe the state of the art about the biological activities reported for this plant and its compounds beyond malaria.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Artemisia annua; Coumarins; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Immunologic Factors; Monoterpenes; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Sesquiterpenes
PubMed: 32679734
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144986