Monoterpene Pharmacology in Pain Management
Summary
Monoterpenes are a class of naturally occurring, low-molecular-weight compounds derived from plant essential oils that exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities relevant to pain control. These molecules interact with central and peripheral pain pathways, modulating ion channels, neurotransmitter systems and inflammatory mediators. Key mechanisms include activation or inhibition of transient receptor potential channels, engagement of opioid and cholinergic receptors, and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Their lipophilic nature facilitates penetration of the blood–brain barrier, while structural diversity permits fine-tuning of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Owing to their relative safety, capacity for chemical modification and demonstrable efficacy in preclinical models, monoterpenes are increasingly regarded as promising leads for novel analgesics and adjunct therapies in acute and chronic pain management.
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Monoterpene Pharmacology in Pain Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in monoterpene pharmacology in pain management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Monoterpene: A volatile, C10 isoprenoid compound found in essential oils with diverse pharmacological activities.
Antinociception: The process of blocking the detection of a painful or injurious stimulus by sensory neurons.
Hyperalgesia: An increased sensitivity to pain, often resulting from injury or inflammation.
Cholinergic system: A network of nerve cells that uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, involved in modulation of pain and other functions.
Opioid receptors: G-protein-coupled receptors in the nervous system that mediate analgesia upon activation by endogenous or exogenous ligands.
References
- Involvement of Cholinergic and Opioid System in γ‐Terpinene‐Mediated Antinociception. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015).
- Association of terpinolene and diclofenac presents antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory synergistic effects in a model of chronic inflammation. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2016).
- Borneol, a Bicyclic Monoterpene Alcohol, Reduces Nociceptive Behavior and Inflammatory Response in Mice. The Scientific World JOURNAL (2013).
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