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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Therapeutic value of terpenes

3.6. Anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties of Table 6 features several terpenoids that have
terpenes reported cardioprotective effects against CVDs.
Although the mechanisms of action of terpenes in the
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular system have not yet been fully elucidated,
it is estimated that one billion people are affected by it is suggested that they work by regulating heart rate and
mental illness globally, and depression and anxiety- vasorelaxation. Diterpenes such as dehydrocrotonin,
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related disorders are reportedly the most prevalent mental
conditions. 239-242 14-deoxyandrographolide, ent-18-hydroxytrachyloban-
3β-ol, ent-18-hydroxyisopimara-7,15-diene-3β-ol, and
Studies have suggested that terpenes may have neoorthosiphols A and B are used in folk medicine to treat
anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties, but the hypertension. 266,268-270 Stevioside, a diterpenoid glycoside
molecular mechanism(s) of action remains unclear. It extracted from the plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni,
was hypothesized that anxiolytic and anti-depressant also demonstrated vasodilatory effects and the ability to
properties might be mediated through interaction regulate mean arterial pressure. 76,266,267,271,272
with serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, Another possibility is that terpenes, in synergy with
noradrenergic, dopaminergic systems, or glutamate phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like molecules,
receptors. In a study on C. sativa, it was suggested that regulate ECS and, subsequently, the cardiac and vascular
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the combination of terpenes, phytocannabinoids, and systems. In addition, terpenes may also ameliorate
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flavonoids synergistically induced the entourage effect CVD through scavenging free radicals and enhancing
to generate enhanced anxiolytic and anti-depressant the activity of antioxidant molecules. The other more
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activities, 244-246 warranting further studies to validate the commonly proposed cardioprotective mechanisms include
anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects. (i) inhibiting NF-κB and subsequently disrupting the NF-κB
The aromatherapeutic and medicinal value of essential signaling pathway 116,208,236,269,209,236,269 and (ii) inhibiting
oils containing terpenes has been recognized in traditional NLRP3 inflammasome formation and subsequently
medicine for hundreds of years based on their anxiolytic disrupting the NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. 273
and anti-depressant properties. 52,78-92,247,248 Several Besides that, several terpenes (i.e., forskolin and
common terpenes (i.e., linalool, geraniol, citronellol, marrubiin) have also displayed anticoagulant and
citronellal, myrcene, β-caryophyllene, and limonene) anti-platelet properties. 274,275 Similarly, α-bulnesene, a
have reported sedative, anxiolytic, anti-depressant, sesquiterpene, exhibited anti-platelet-activating factor
sedative, and anticonvulsant proprieties in both humans (PAF) properties, while (+)-linalool and (-)-linalool could
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and murine models. 61,247,249-254,63,247,255-259 In particular, stimulate the cardiovascular system. 76,277,278 Citronellol has
hydroxycitronellal (HC) exhibited anxiolytic and anti- demonstrated antihypertensive and vasorelaxant properties
depressant properties through regulating the GABAergic that may be beneficial in the treatment of hypertension.
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system (GABA receptors). Linalool and linalyl acetate Thymol, a monoterpenoid, has vasorelaxant properties,
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279
A
reportedly inhibited voltage-gated calcium channels while limonene demonstrated cardioprotective and anti-
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and, subsequently, 5HT1 receptor activity. 252,258 In murine hypertensive properties. 76
A
models, D-limonene has demonstrated anti-depressant
properties by downregulating IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. 234,238 Camphene, a plant-derived monoterpene, demonstrated
hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, and hypotriglyceridemic
3.7. Cardioprotective properties of terpenes effects in rats, thereby reducing and preventing the
accumulation of lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides in
CVDs collectively refer to conditions affecting the cardiac arterial blood vessels. In another study, Jiang et al.
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(i.e., heart failure, cardiac arrest, coronary heart disease, demonstrated that terpenoids from different polar extracts
angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hyperlipidemia, of Cyclocarya paliurus leaves had cholesterol-lowering
and cardiomyopathy) and vascular (i.e., atherosclerosis, effects in hyperlipidemic mice by converting cholesterol
peripheral artery disease, ischemic stroke, and pulmonary into bile acids. These findings suggested that terpenes
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embolism) systems. 76,230 In 2021, CVDs were the leading can regulate hyperlipidemia as well.
cause of death globally with 17.9 million deaths. 261
Ongoing research efforts have investigated terpenes as 3.8. Anticancer properties of terpenes
prospective novel therapeutics drug candidates for CVDs. Cancer is a major health burden that affected an estimated
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Limonene, carveol, linalool, and several diterpenes (and 19.3 million people globally in 2020 with an estimated
their derivatives) have demonstrated therapeutic potential 10 million deaths in the same year. 294-296 According to
against CVDs. 262-267 GLOBOCAN2020, global cancer cases are expected to

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2024) 8 doi: 10.36922/itps.0332