Abstract
Terpenes are naturally occurring substances produced by a wide variety of plants and animals. A broad range of the biological properties of terpenoids is described, including cancer chemopreventive effects, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic activities. Terpenes are also presented as skin penetration enhancers and agents involved in the prevention and therapy of several inflammatory diseases. Moreover, a potential mechanism of their action against pathogens and their influence on skin permeability are discussed. The major conclusion is that larger-scale use of terpenoids in modern medicine should be taken into consideration.
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Abbreviations
- 5-FU:
-
5-fluorouracil
- AKBA:
-
acetyl-11-keto-α-boswellic acid
- AZT:
-
zidovudine
- CoQ:
-
coenzyme Q
- COX-2:
-
cyclooxygenase 2
- DMAPP:
-
dimethylallyl pyrophosphate
- HIV:
-
human immunodeficiency virus
- HSV:
-
herpes simplex virus
- iNOS:
-
inducible nitric oxide synthetase
- IPP:
-
isopentenyl pyrophosphate
- LPS:
-
lipopolysaccharide
- NF-κB:
-
nuclear factor κB
- NO:
-
nitric oxide
- PGE2 :
-
prostaglandin E2
- PLA2 :
-
phospholipase A2
- TGF-β:
-
transforming growth factor β
- TNF-α:
-
tumor necrosis factor α
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Paduch, R., Kandefer-Szerszeń, M., Trytek, M. et al. Terpenes: substances useful in human healthcare. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 55, 315–327 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-007-0039-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-007-0039-1