Phytochemical Activity and Biological Effects of Terpenes
Summary
Terpenes constitute one of the largest classes of plant-derived secondary metabolites, encompassing a diverse range of hydrocarbons assembled from isoprene units. They are classified by carbon skeleton length into monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and larger structures, and occur ubiquitously in essential oils, resins and waxes. Phytochemically, terpenes exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumour activities through modulation of signalling cascades, enzyme inhibition and membrane interactions. Diterpenes such as phytol and resin-derived compounds have attracted attention for their capacity to influence nuclear receptors and redox balance, while smaller terpenes contribute to the regulation of ion channels and neurotransmitter release. In plants, terpenes afford defence against pests and environmental stress; in human health they are investigated as adjuvants, chemopreventive agents and pharmaceutical leads. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, high-resolution mass spectrometry and computational modelling have expanded our understanding of structure–activity relationships, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Collectively, research on phytochemical activity and biological effects of terpenes highlights their multifaceted potential for therapeutic application, agricultural biotechnology and cosmetic innovation on a global scale.
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Phytochemical Activity and Biological Effects of Terpenes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical activity and biological effects of terpenes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Terpenes: A class of naturally occurring hydrocarbons built from isoprene units, with diverse biological activities.
Diterpenes: Terpenes composed of four isoprene units (20 carbons), often found in resins and exhibiting potent bioactivity.
ADME: Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties governing a compound’s pharmacokinetic profile.
Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent required to prevent visible growth of a microorganism.
Molecular Docking: A computational technique to predict the preferred orientation of one molecule when bound to another to form a stable complex.
References
- HPLC-HRMS/MS and anti-inflammatory effects of bunya pine resin through multifaceted pathway modulation: NUMB/NOTCH1/HES1/mTOR/ PI3K/HMGB1 signaling cascades. Inflammopharmacology (2025).
- Analysis of the Antibiotic-Potentiating Activity, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) and the Molecular Docking Properties of Phytol Against Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR) Strains. Antibiotics (2024).
- New Phytol Derivatives with Increased Cosmeceutical Potential. Molecules (2024).
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