Antioxidant, Pro-Oxidant and Other Biological Activities of Sesquiterpenes

Abstract

Sesquiterpenes, 15-carbon compounds formed from 3 isoprenoid units, are secondary metabolites produced mainly in higher plants but also in fungi and invertebrates. Sesquiterpenes occur in human food, but they are principally taken as components of many folk medicines and dietary supplements. Moreover, sesquiterpenes could become a rich reservoir of candidate compounds for drug discovery as several sesquiterpenes and their derivatives possess interesting biological activities. Recent efforts in the research and development of new drugs derived from natural products have led to the identification of a variety of sesquiterpenes that possess promising anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and anti-carcinogenic activities. On the other hand, some sesquiterpenes can cause serious toxicity and other adverse effects. Therefore, more and more attention has been paid to the investigation of the mechanisms of biological activities of sesquiterpenes in vitro as well as in vivo. The data collected in this review show that many of sesquiterpenes biological activities are based on antioxidant or pro-oxidant actions of sesquiterpenes. Structure, concentration, metabolism as well as type of cells determine if sesquiterpene acts as anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant. Therefore, detailed research of sesquiterpenes is very important for evaluation of their efficacy and for their safe use.

Optimization of the exhaustive hydrodistillation method in the recovery of essential oil from fresh and cured betel leaves (Piper betleL.) using the Box–Behnken design

“…Therefore, the ability of fresh BLEO to scavenge DPPH radicals may depend on its ability to donate hydrogen atoms. The reason behind the highest result of DPPH radicals scavenging activity of betel leaf EO depends on HD which correlates with the presence of higher amounts of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (Bartikova, Hanusova, Skalova, Ambroz, & Bousova, ; Ramos et al, ). The lowest AA was found in cured BLEO that may depend upon the decomposition of thermo‐liable targeted compounds (Ramos et al, ).…”

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Muscle Tissue of the Rainbow Trout (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS WALBAUM) After In Vitro Treatment of Sansevieria Caulescens N.E.Br. Extract

“…The antioxidant activities of most plant extracts can be traced to these bioactive constituents. For instance, various compounds belonging to the terpenoid and flavonoid groups are known to be biologically active (Grassmann, 2005;González-Burgos and Gómez-Serranillos, 2012;Bartikova et al, 2014). Due to their antioxidant behaviour terpenes have been shown to provide relevant protection under oxidative stress conditions in different diseases including liver, renal, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes as well as in ageing processes (González-Burgos and Gómez-Serranillos, 2012).…”

“…Moreover, many sesquiterpenes biological activities (anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and anti-carcinogenic activities) are based on antioxidant or pro-oxidant actions of sesquiterpenes. Structure, concentration, metabolism as well as the type of cells determine if sesquiterpene acts as anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant (Bartikova et al, 2014). On the other hand, the natural flavones, as well as some of their synthetic derivatives, have been shown to exhibit several biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-allergic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and antimicrobial (Catarino et al, 2015 mammalian enzymes like protein kinases that regulate multiple cell signalling pathways and alterations in multiple cellular signalling pathways are frequently found in many diseases (Singh et al, 2014).…”

“…Undoubtedly, a healthy diet is an important factor in the prevention of widespread various diseases in aquaculture. Therefore, the study of diet components such as dietary supplements, particularly drugs, is essential (Banaee et al, 2011).…”

Beneficial effects of valencene on altered glycoprotein components in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats

“…valencene((3R,4aS,5R)-4a,5-Dimethyl-3-(prop-1-en-2-yl) 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7octahydronaphthalene) ( Figure.1), is a sesquiterpene, is found in the essential oils of citrus fruits, grape, and citrus derivatives, etc [7]. It possesses pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial [8], antioxidant [9], anticancer [10] and anti-inflammatory properties [11].…”