Application and Medicinal of Terpenoids

Review Article

Austin J Anal Pharm Chem. 2024; 11(1): 1167.

Application and Medicinal of Terpenoids

Ana Borges1,2; Filipa Mandim1,2; Sandrina A Heleno1,2; Ricardo C Calhelha1,2*

¹Centro de Investigação da Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Portugal.

²Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Portugal

*Corresponding author: Ricardo C Calhelha Centro de Investigação da Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal. Email: calhelha@ipb.pt

Received: January 17, 2024 Accepted: February 17, 2024 Published: February 24, 2024

Abstract

There has been a rise in interest in terpenoids due to their variety of chemical forms and their distinct biological features, providing a range of applications in various industries, and enabling a significant economic, social, and environmental value. A systematic review was conducted based on the results of the collected scientific articles using Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, Science Direct, and PubMed databases. This article examines the characteristics of terpenoids and their biological effects, concentrating on their anti-aging effects. Additionally, it discusses the various industrial applications and drawbacks of their application. Thanks to their activity, terpenoids play a significant part in various industries, making them important compounds with a wide range of applications. They are also frequently used and have excellent development prospects. emphasizing in particular their anti-aging qualities. Future research should focus on terpenoids’ broad toxicity, their catalytic mechanism, bioavailability, pharmacodynamics, biomarkers, extensive examinations of their bioactive qualities, and their usage in various industries in light of their effectiveness.

Keywords: Terpenoids; Essential oils; Emerging extraction processes; Bioactivities; Aging

Introduction

Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been essential for treating and preventing human diseases [1,2]. Endowed with a wide variety of properties, plant species have been extensively studied in an attempt to identify which compounds are responsible for the multifaceted properties. In addition, the current sustainable policies related to the adequate use of resources and all their potential, are differentiating factors for the importance currently given to the natural resources research area [2,3]. Recently, pharmaceutical companies have been paying more attention and importance to this area of study. These companies intend to identify possible molecules of interest, which can be used in the development of new drugs. Medicines with high therapeutic efficacy, economically viable and accessible, safe, and with reduced adverse effects are some of the main objectives [1-3].

Plants produce a wide variety of compounds through their primary and secondary metabolism. Concerning the secondary one, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic acids, among others, are some of the classes of compounds of interest [4-6]. Those classes have been studied due to the varied bioactive properties they have been exhibiting (e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial) [3]. Among the mentioned secondary metabolites classes, terpenoids are one of the largest and most structurally diverse [2-5]. This group of compounds plays a crucial role in the physiological processes, environmental reactions, and plant growth and development [3]. Terpenoids are derived from isoprene and can be found in a variety of chemical forms [3,4,7]. They exhibit a linear hydrocarbon or a cycle chain configuration, with diverse chemical variations of the substituent groups [4,8]. Several studies in the literature emphasize the multifaceted properties of terpenoids, which as a consequence of their multiple configurations, result in distinct biological features [5,8-10]. These characteristics are the main reason for the wide range of applications in several industrial areas (e.g., pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural industries) and therefore, for their economic valorization [3,5]. The growing knowledge about the potential associated with terpenoids has been the main contributor to the increased interest associated with this bioactive class [2-5]. Its consequent exploitation and increased applicability are important economic contributions to its valorization and their produced species [3].

This review article gathers recent findings regarding terpenoids characteristics and biological effects. As a result of major concerns and a higher incidence of conditions associated with aging, particular consideration was given to terpenoids' anti-aging effects (namely skin aging, degenerative diseases, and cancer). Additionally, industrial applications and the associated side effects of their use will also be discussed. Scientific data bases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, Science Direct, and PubMed were used for collecting scientific articles and chapters. The keywords “terpenoids”, “essential oils”, “bioactivities”, “antiaging” and “emerging extraction processes” were used isolated and in combined form.

Characterization and Biosynthesis

Plants synthesize a vast variety of metabolites through their primary and secondary metabolism. Primary metabolites such as sugars, proteins, and lipids, are found in all species and are necessary for fundamental processes of growth and development of the plant. On the other hand, secondary metabolites have a great diversity and structural complexity, are synthesized in response to external stimulus, and are essential for the survival and perpetuation of the species [6]. Terpenes are a class synthesized through secondary metabolism. Terpenoids correspond to modified terpenes where methyl groups are moved or removed, or additional functional groups (usually oxygen-containing) are added [6,8,10]. They present a great complexity and structural diversity. To date, more than 90,000 terpenes have been identified, being one of the largest classes and with a higher structural variety [10].

Terpenes are classified according to the number of isoprene units [6,8,10]. Table 1 contains the different terpenoid classes and their main natural sources and biological properties known.