Monoterpenes and Their Derivatives—Recent Development in Biological and Medical Applications

Author: mycolabadmin
2020-09-25
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Summary

This research examines how natural compounds called monoterpenes, found in essential oils and plants, can be modified to create more effective medicines. The study shows that these modified natural compounds can be used to develop new treatments for various conditions including infections, inflammation, and cancer. The impact on everyday life includes: • Development of new, potentially safer medicines derived from natural sources • Creation of more effective treatments for common infections and diseases • Advancement in natural-based alternatives to synthetic drugs • Potential reduction in drug side effects through use of nature-derived compounds • More sustainable and cost-effective drug development using readily available natural resources

Background

Monoterpenes are the largest class of plant secondary metabolites commonly found in essential oils. They comprise hydrocarbons and are key ingredients in designing and producing new biologically active compounds. These compounds have been used for medical purposes for centuries, studied scientifically, and traded commercially.

Objective

This review focuses on examining selected aliphatic, monocyclic, and bicyclic monoterpenes like geraniol, thymol, myrtenal, pinene, camphor, borneol, and their modified structures to evaluate their pivotal role in biological and medical applications. The review aims to discuss various biological activities exhibited by these compounds and analyze the relationship between structural modifications and biological effects.

Results

The review found that monoterpene derivatives exhibit diverse therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antiviral, anticancer, antituberculosis, and antioxidant properties. Structural modifications and introduction of various functionalized moieties significantly enhanced their biological activities. Many derivatives showed superior efficacy compared to parent compounds and some matched or exceeded standard drug treatments.

Conclusion

The use of readily available and inexpensive monoterpenes as building blocks for designing and synthesizing new therapeutic agents is a promising direction in medicinal chemistry. Chemical modification of natural monoterpenes often reduces toxicity while enhancing biological activity. The research demonstrates that monoterpene derivatives have significant potential for treating various diseases and infections, with many showing superior efficacy to parent compounds.

Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 10.3390/ijms21197078