Biological Activities of Essential Oils and Natural Products
Summary
Essential oils and other plant-derived natural products comprise complex mixtures of volatile and non-volatile metabolites, predominantly terpenes and polyphenols, which exert a spectrum of biological activities. Antioxidant properties arise from free radical scavenging, metal chelation and modulation of antioxidant enzyme systems, enabling protection against oxidative stress implicated in ageing, cardiovascular disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Antimicrobial effects target bacteria, fungi and parasites through membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition and interference with quorum sensing, offering promising leads for novel antimicrobials and biopesticides. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions stem from modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and signalling pathways, with applications in pain management and chronic inflammatory conditions. Emerging evidence highlights selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells via induction of apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest and mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting potential in chemopreventive and adjuvant therapies. Moreover, neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects have been attributed to interactions with central neurotransmitter systems. The biological efficacy of essential oils and natural products depends on chemical composition, which is influenced by species, geographical origin, plant part, harvest time and extraction method. Chemotypic variation and sustainable sourcing are critical to ensure reproducibility and ecological responsibility. Consequently, the valorisation of forestry and agricultural residues, as well as advances in extraction technologies, underpin the development of bioactive ingredients for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and agricultural applications worldwide.
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Biological Activities of Essential Oils and Natural Products publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological activities of essential oils and natural products across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Monoterpene hydrocarbons: Volatile C10 compounds composed of two isoprene units, common in essential oils and linked to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.
Sesquiterpenes: C15 terpenoid compounds that often contribute to antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects in natural extracts.
Hydrodistillation: A traditional method of essential oil extraction involving steam or boiling water to volatilise and condense oil constituents.
Free radical scavenging: The neutralisation of reactive radicals by antioxidants, preventing oxidative damage to biomolecules.
Chemotype: A chemically distinct entity within a plant species defined by the predominant composition of its essential oil.
References
- Chemical Compositions and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Sawdust and Resin-Rich Bark from Azorean Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae). Antioxidants (2024).
- Sequential Separation of Essential Oil Components during Hydrodistillation of Fresh Foliage from Azorean Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae): Effects on Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Free Radical Scavenging Activities. Plants (2024).
- Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Commercial Essential Oils and Hydrolates Obtained from Portuguese Forest Logging and Thinning. Molecules (2022).
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