Rosa, G. P., Tavares, W. R., Barreto, M. C., & Seca, A. M. (2025). Terpenes and their role in pharmaceuticals. In Plant Secondary Metabolites (pp. 56-87). CRC Press.
Terpenes are a highly diverse class of specialized metabolites characterized by the multiplicity and specificity of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis and the stochastic nature of some structural transformations. Terpenes are widely distributed across plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms and play key roles in physiological and ecological processes, including species development, predator defense, pollination facilitation, and adaptation to abiotic stress. Their remarkable biological activities have significant pharmaceutical implications, improving the treatment of malaria, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and microbial infections. Several terpenes, such as abietic acid, carvacrol, and D-limonene, have demonstrated potent anticancer properties. Their mechanisms involve the modulation of signaling pathways, induction of apoptosis, and enhancement of chemotherapy efficacy, showcasing their clinical potential. Similarly, thymol, carvacrol, and citral exhibit robust antimicrobial effects, particularly against multidrug-resistant pathogens. These effects stem from bacterial membrane disruption and attenuation of virulence, making these terpenes viable natural alternatives or complements to antibiotics. Clinical studies have emphasized the relevance of monoterpenes derived from plant essential oils, with α-bisabolol being frequently investigated. Terpenes target a wide range of conditions, including atopic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome, urolithiasis, anxiety, chronic hepatitis C, and cancer. This diversity underscores the immense value of terpenes in pharmaceutical science, establishing them as pivotal in drug discovery and therapeutic innovation.
