Anticancer activities of essential oils constituents and synergy with conventional therapies: a review.
Many studies have shown that a large number of terpenoids and aromatic compounds contained in essential oils have significant anticancer activities, both on cell lines and on tumors in animals. The activity of these constituents is related to the activation of cell death (apoptosis) induced by the caspases proteins in cancer cells, with minor modifications of healthy cells. Many phenomena seem to occur, among which are as follows: overexpression and regulation of liver detoxification enzymes, changes in the membrane potential of cancer cells and mitochondria, production of free radicals in cancer cells, inhibition of angiogenesis, and modification of tumor-inducing genes. These active essential oil constituents appear to act synergistically with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and some clinical studies in humans are beginning to be realized. In this review, we discuss about the antitumoral activity of 13 essential oil components selected among the most studied in the literature, with a focus on their possible mode of action. We also report current data on the anticancer properties of several total essential oils.
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, ICR UMR 7273, 13397, Marseille, France.
Jean-François
JF
Lesgards
Nicolas
N
Baldovini
Nicolas
N
Vidal
Sylvia
S
Pietri
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D020169:Caspases
apoptosis; essential oils; membrane potential; oxidative stress; terpenoids