title: Terpenes: substances useful in human healthcare.
abstract: Terpenes are naturally occurring substances produced by a wide variety of plants and animals. A broad range of the biological properties of terpenoids is described, including cancer chemopreventive effects, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic activities. Terpenes are also presented as skin penetration enhancers and agents involved in the prevention and therapy of several inflammatory diseases. Moreover, a potential mechanism of their action against pathogens and their influence on skin permeability are discussed. The major conclusion is that larger-scale use of terpenoids in modern medicine should be taken into consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland. rpaduch@biotop.umcs.lublin.pl
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paduch
authors.forename: Martyna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kandefer-Szerszeń
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trytek
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fiedurek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013729:Terpenes