title: An overview of the pharmacological properties and potential applications of natural monoterpenes.
abstract: Monoterpenes, the major components of essential oils, belong to the group of isoprenoids containing ten carbon atoms. Being widely distributed in the plant kingdom they are extensively used in cuisine and human health care products. Studies have shown that both natural monoterpenes and their synthetic derivatives are endowed with various pharmacological properties including antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiarrhythmic, anti-aggregating, local anesthetic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic and anti-spasmodic activities. Monoterpenes act also as regulators of growth, heat, transpiration, tumor inhibitors, inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, insect repellants, feline and canine attractants and antidiabetics. These interesting activities which might be potentially used not only in pharmaceutical, but also food and cosmetic industries are discussed below.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kozioł
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stryjewska
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Librowski
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sałat
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaweł
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moniczewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Radioligands, Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland. mflibrow@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lochyński
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile