A Review on Anti-inflammatory Activity of Monoterpenes

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2013 Jan 22

PMID 23334570

Citations 154

Authors

Rita de Cassia da Silveira E Sa

Luciana Nalone Andrade

Damiao Pergentino de Sousa

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Faced with the need to find new anti-inflammatory agents, great effort has been expended on the development of drugs for the treatment of inflammation. This disorder reduces the quality of life and overall average productivity, causing huge financial losses. In this review the anti-inflammatory activity of 32 bioactive monoterpenes found in essential oils is discussed. The data demonstrate the pharmacological potential of this group of natural chemicals to act as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Citing Articles

Phytoactive-Loaded Lipid Nanocarriers for Simvastatin Delivery: A Drug Repositioning Strategy Against Lung Cancer.

Gambaro R, Chain C, Scioli-Montoto S, Moreno A, Huck-Iriart C, Ruiz M Pharmaceutics. 2025; 17(2).

PMID: 40006622 PMC: 11858925. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17020255.

Therapeutic Effects of Lavender Oil on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus and Experimental Thrombosis.

But V, Rus V, Ilyes T, Gherman M, Stanescu I, Bolboaca S Antioxidants (Basel). 2025; 14(2).

PMID: 40002353 PMC: 11851820. DOI: 10.3390/antiox14020166.

(-)-Fenchone Ameliorates TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rats via Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory, and Cytoprotective Mechanisms.

Araruna M, Alves Junior E, de Lima Serafim C, Pessoa M, de Souza Pessoa M, Alves V Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025; 18(1).

PMID: 39861081 PMC: 11769309. DOI: 10.3390/ph18010018.

Utilization of Cannabidiol in Post-Organ-Transplant Care.

Koyama S, Etkins J, Jun J, Miller M, So G, Gisch D Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(2).

PMID: 39859413 PMC: 11765766. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26020699.

Unlocking the mechanistic potential of for managing diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy.

Singh S, Singh T J Tradit Complement Med. 2025; 14(6):581-597.

PMID: 39850604 PMC: 11752125. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2024.04.009.

References

Pascual M, Slowing K, Carretero E, Sanchez Mata D, Villar A . Lippia: traditional uses, chemistry and pharmacology: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 76(3):201-14. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00234-3. View

Worth H, Schacher C, Dethlefsen U . Concomitant therapy with Cineole (Eucalyptole) reduces exacerbations in COPD: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Respir Res. 2009; 10:69. PMC: 2720945. DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-10-69. View

Wang X, Ma A, Shi W, Geng M, Zhong X, Zhao Y . Quercetin and Bornyl Acetate Regulate T-Lymphocyte Subsets and INF-γ/IL-4 Ratio In Utero in Pregnant Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2010; 2011:745262. PMC: 2958556. DOI: 10.1155/2011/745262. View

Kettle A, Gedye C, Winterbourn C . Mechanism of inactivation of myeloperoxidase by 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide. Biochem J. 1997; 321 ( Pt 2):503-8. PMC: 1218097. DOI: 10.1042/bj3210503. View

Hart P, Brand C, Carson C, Riley T, PRAGER R, Finlay-Jones J . Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), suppresses inflammatory mediator production by activated human monocytes. Inflamm Res. 2000; 49(11):619-26. DOI: 10.1007/s000110050639. View

Miguel M . Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils: a short review. Molecules. 2010; 15(12):9252-87. PMC: 6259136. DOI: 10.3390/molecules15129252. View

Dai J, Chen J, Bei Y, Han B, Wang S . Influence of borneol on primary mice oral fibroblasts: a penetration enhancer may be used in oral submucous fibrosis. J Oral Pathol Med. 2009; 38(3):276-81. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2008.00738.x. View

Fujitani Y, Kanaoka Y, Aritake K, Uodome N, Urade Y . Pronounced eosinophilic lung inflammation and Th2 cytokine release in human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase transgenic mice. J Immunol. 2001; 168(1):443-9. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.1.443. View

Cho S, Choi Y, Park S, Park T . Carvacrol prevents diet-induced obesity by modulating gene expressions involved in adipogenesis and inflammation in mice fed with high-fat diet. J Nutr Biochem. 2011; 23(2):192-201. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.11.016. View

10.

Marsik P, Kokoska L, Landa P, Nepovim A, Soudek P, Vanek T . In vitro inhibitory effects of thymol and quinones of Nigella sativa seeds on cyclooxygenase-1- and -2-catalyzed prostaglandin E2 biosyntheses. Planta Med. 2005; 71(8):739-42. DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871288. View

11.

Tekeoglu I, Dogan A, Ediz L, Budancamanak M, Demirel A . Effects of thymoquinone (volatile oil of black cumin) on rheumatoid arthritis in rat models. Phytother Res. 2007; 21(9):895-7. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2143. View

12.

Khan R, Sultana S . Farnesol attenuates 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic responses in the colon of Wistar rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2011; 192(3):193-200. DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2011.03.009. View

13.

Chan A, Pang H, Yip E, Tam Y, Wong Y . Carvacrol and eugenol differentially stimulate intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and mitogen-activated protein kinases in Jurkat T-cells and monocytic THP-1 cells. Planta Med. 2005; 71(7):634-9. DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871269. View

14.

Braga P, Dal Sasso M, Culici M, Bianchi T, Bordoni L, Marabini L . Anti-inflammatory activity of thymol: inhibitory effect on the release of human neutrophil elastase. Pharmacology. 2006; 77(3):130-6. DOI: 10.1159/000093790. View

15.

Yoon W, Lee N, Hyun C . Limonene suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Oleo Sci. 2010; 59(8):415-21. DOI: 10.5650/jos.59.415. View

16.

El Mezayen R, El Gazzar M, Nicolls M, Marecki J, Dreskin S, Nomiyama H . Effect of thymoquinone on cyclooxygenase expression and prostaglandin production in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. Immunol Lett. 2006; 106(1):72-81. DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2006.04.012. View

17.

Swamy S, Tan B . Cytotoxic and immunopotentiating effects of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L. seeds. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 70(1):1-7. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(98)00241-4. View

18.

Juergens U, Stober M, Vetter H . Inhibition of cytokine production and arachidonic acid metabolism by eucalyptol (1.8-cineole) in human blood monocytes in vitro. Eur J Med Res. 1998; 3(11):508-10. View

19.

Cariddi L, Escobar F, Moser M, Panero A, Alaniz F, Zygadlo J . Monoterpenes isolated from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling essential oil modulates immediate-type hypersensitivity responses in vitro and in vivo. Planta Med. 2011; 77(15):1687-94. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1271090. View

20.

El Tahir K, Ashour M, Al-Harbi M . The respiratory effects of the volatile oil of the black seed (Nigella sativa) in guinea-pigs: elucidation of the mechanism(s) of action. Gen Pharmacol. 1993; 24(5):1115-22. DOI: 10.1016/0306-3623(93)90358-5. View