Chemopreventive Potential of Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenes: An Overview of Preliminary Evidence

Abstract

Chemoprevention is referred to as a strategy to inhibit, suppress, or reverse tumor development and progression in healthy people along with high-risk subjects and oncologic patients through using pharmacological or natural substances. Numerous phytochemicals have been widely described in the literature to possess chemopreventive properties, although their clinical usefulness remains to be defined. Among them, caryophyllane sesquiterpenes are natural compounds widely occurring in nature kingdoms, especially in plants, fungi, and marine environments. Several structures, characterized by a common caryophyllane skeleton with further rearrangements, have been identified, but those isolated from plant essential oils, including β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide, α-humulene, and isocaryophyllene, have attracted the greatest pharmacological attention. Emerging evidence has outlined a complex polypharmacological profile of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes characterized by blocking, suppressing, chemosensitizing, and cytoprotective properties, which suggests a possible usefulness of these natural substances in cancer chemoprevention for both preventive and adjuvant purposes. In the present review, the scientific knowledge about the chemopreventive properties of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes and the mechanisms involved have been collected and discussed; moreover, possible structure–activity relationships have been highlighted. Although further high-quality studies are required, the promising preclinical findings and the safe pharmacological profile encourage further studies to define a clinical usefulness of caryophyllane sesquiterpenes in primary, secondary, or tertiary chemoprevention.

Antibacterial Activities of Homemade Matrices Miming Essential Oils Compared to Commercial Ones

“…On the contrary, β -caryophyllene is rarely referenced in the literature for its antibacterial activity. This sesquiterpene has been classified as safe to be used as a flavor ingredient in fragrances and in cosmetics by many authorities [ 41 ]. Some studies have demonstrated it has different biological properties, such as antifungal [ 42 , 43 ], antileishmanial [ 44 ], and antitrypanosomal properties [ 45 , 46 ].…”

“…Some studies have demonstrated it has different biological properties, such as antifungal [ 42 , 43 ], antileishmanial [ 44 ], and antitrypanosomal properties [ 45 , 46 ]. Lately, studies have been focusing on other qualities, such as its anti-inflammatory [ 47 ], antidiabetic [ 48 ], and anticancer and chemopreventive properties [ 41 , 43 ]. Nevertheless, fewer studies refer to the antibacterial properties of β -caryophyllene.…”

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“…Sesquiterpenes also include essential oils and aromatic constituents with several pharmacological activities. Studies report that sesquiterpenes have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antinociceptive and antimicrobial activities [78,79].…”

“…They also effect the central nervous system that make them possible targets for the development of novel therapeutics and of usage of medical intentions [78,79].…”

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV): A Preliminary Study on Antiviral Properties of Some Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

“…The search for potential anti-BVDV agents has led to the exploration of both natural substances and synthetic compounds [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], leading to the choice of natural substances rather than nucleoside analogs that are capable of causing negative side effects once administered [ 17 ].…”