Plant Terpenes on Treating Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease: A Review

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants as a therapy alternative is old as human existence itself. Nowadays, the search for effective molecules for chronic diseases treatments has increased. The cardiometabolic disorders still the main cause of death worldwide and plants may offer potential pharmacological innovative approaches to treat and prevent diseases. In the range of plant molecules are inserted the terpenes, which constituent essential elements with several pharmacological characteristics and applications, including cardiovascular and metabolic properties. Thus, the aim of the present review is to update the terpenes use on chronic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and vascular conditions. The review includes a brief terpenes description based on the scientific literature in addition to data collected from secondary sources such as books and conference proceedings. We concluded that terpenes could act as adjuvant or main alternative treatment (when started earlier) to improve cardiometabolic diseases, contributing to reduce side effects of conventional drugs, in addition to preserving ethnopharmacological knowledge.

Wuliangye Baijiu but not ethanol reduces cardiovascular disease risks in a zebrafish thrombosis model

“…The strong-aroma Baijiu Wuliangye is rich in esters, phenolic compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, pyrazines and terpenes 14 . The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic activities and vasodilating effects of these compounds have been investigated in depth [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] . Unlike aspirin and other monomeric drugs, which mainly act on specific receptor /pathways, various bioactive compounds in Baijiu have different action mechanisms.…”

“…15,16 . In particular, several compounds including linoleic acid, α-Linolenic acid, ethyl linoleate, ferulic acid, guaiacol, tetramethylpyrazine, and dimethyl sulfide have been reported to resist oxidation and ameliorate atherosclerosis and prevent CVDs [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] .…”

Applications of Metabolomics to Precision Nutrition

“…Indeed, the average fruit or vegetable is estimated to contain >15,000 different compounds from >100 chemical classes with concentrations ranging from femtomolar (e.g., vitamins) to millimolar (e.g., sugars) [35]. Many of the unmeasured or less mea-Lifestyle Genomics 2022;15:1-9 DOI: 10.1159/000518489 sured compounds in foods include micronutrients such as polyphenols, which have effects that could lead to important health benefits [36], terpenes which give many foods their flavor and aroma [37], and various pigments which give foods their color. The only way to detect, identify, and quantify this rich chemical diversity in foods is through metabolomics.…”

Coriandrum sativum L.: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Cardiovascular Benefits

“…Despite possessing various health benefits which have been reported in many research and review papers [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], the cardioprotective effects of coriander have never been summarized in terms of the anti-atherogenic, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, and hypolipidemic effects [ 19 ]. Phytochemicals present in C. sativum , such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and terpenes, have significant potential in cardiovascular health and have demonstrated an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibiting potency, cardioprotective, antihyperlipidemic, and cardiometabolic disorder-inhibiting properties [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Therefore, the phytochemical constituents of C. sativum were reviewed and summarized in light of their presence in their respective extracts and connected to the biological activities shown.…”