Pharmacological Applications of Terpenoid Compounds
Summary
Terpenoid compounds, a diverse class of natural products derived from five‐carbon isoprene units, have gained prominence for their broad range of bioactivities and favourable safety profiles. In oncology, certain sesquiterpenes and diterpenes have demonstrated pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative effects through modulation of cell signalling pathways, induction of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and disruption of mitochondrial function. In infectious disease research, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives exhibit potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic actions, often acting synergistically with established drugs to overcome resistance. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of selected terpenoids support applications in inflammatory disorders, neurodegeneration and metabolic syndrome, with mechanisms encompassing inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine release and activation of cellular detoxification systems. Advances in formulation science, including nanoencapsulation and liposomal delivery, have addressed challenges of solubility and bioavailability, enabling sustained release and targeted tissue accumulation. Collectively, phar- macological studies underscore the global significance of terpenoids as lead scaffolds for drug discovery, with ongoing efforts to optimise chemical modifications and delivery platforms for improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
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Pharmacological Applications of Terpenoid Compounds publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pharmacological applications of terpenoid compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Terpenoid: A large family of naturally occurring organic compounds built from isoprene units, often bioactive in plants and microbes.
Sesquiterpene: A subclass of terpenoids comprising three isoprene units (C15), commonly found in essential oils and noted for diverse pharmacological effects.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress): A cellular condition triggered by accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to activation of the unfolded protein response.
Liposome: A vesicular delivery system formed by phospholipid bilayers, used to encapsulate hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds for enhanced stability and targeted release.
Chitosan–alginate nanoparticles: Biodegradable nano-carriers composed of the natural polymers chitosan and alginate, utilising ionic crosslinking to encapsulate and release bioactive agents.
References
- Mechanism of cis-Nerolidol-Induced Bladder Carcinoma Cell Death. Cancers (2023).
- Preparation and Characterization of Blank and Nerolidol-Loaded Chitosan–Alginate Nanoparticles. Nanomaterials (2022).
- Therapeutic Efficacy of Sesquiterpene Farnesol in Treatment of Cutibacterium acnes-Induced Dermal Disorders. Molecules (2021).
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