Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds
Monoterpenes make up the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. They can be found in numerous plants, among others, the <i>Lamiaceae</i> family. The compounds demonstrate antioxidative, antibacterial, sedative and anti-inflammatory activity, hence, they are often employed in medic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1716 |
| _version_ | 1827651005520543744 |
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| author | Karolina A. Wojtunik-Kulesza |
| author_facet | Karolina A. Wojtunik-Kulesza |
| author_sort | Karolina A. Wojtunik-Kulesza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Monoterpenes make up the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. They can be found in numerous plants, among others, the <i>Lamiaceae</i> family. The compounds demonstrate antioxidative, antibacterial, sedative and anti-inflammatory activity, hence, they are often employed in medicine and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, their fragrant character is often made use of, notably in the food and cosmetic industries. Nevertheless, long-lasting studies have revealed their toxic properties. This fact has led to a detailed analysis of the compounds towards their side effects on the human organism. Although most are safe for human food and medical applications, there are monoterpene compounds that, in certain amounts or under particular circumstances (e.g., pregnancy), can cause serious disorders. The presented review characterises in vitro and in vivo, the toxic character of selected monoterpenes (α-terpinene, camphor, citral, limonene, pulegone, thujone), as well as that of their original plant sources and their essential oils. The selected monoterpenes reveal various toxic properties among which are embryotoxic, neurotoxic, allergenic and genotoxic. It is also known that the essential oils of popular plants can also reveal toxic characteristics that many people are unaware of. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:28:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-106f9b0c3383409cb95a47396dcba3fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:28:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-106f9b0c3383409cb95a47396dcba3fb2023-11-23T23:28:41ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492022-03-01275171610.3390/molecules27051716Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These CompoundsKarolina A. Wojtunik-Kulesza0Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandMonoterpenes make up the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. They can be found in numerous plants, among others, the <i>Lamiaceae</i> family. The compounds demonstrate antioxidative, antibacterial, sedative and anti-inflammatory activity, hence, they are often employed in medicine and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, their fragrant character is often made use of, notably in the food and cosmetic industries. Nevertheless, long-lasting studies have revealed their toxic properties. This fact has led to a detailed analysis of the compounds towards their side effects on the human organism. Although most are safe for human food and medical applications, there are monoterpene compounds that, in certain amounts or under particular circumstances (e.g., pregnancy), can cause serious disorders. The presented review characterises in vitro and in vivo, the toxic character of selected monoterpenes (α-terpinene, camphor, citral, limonene, pulegone, thujone), as well as that of their original plant sources and their essential oils. The selected monoterpenes reveal various toxic properties among which are embryotoxic, neurotoxic, allergenic and genotoxic. It is also known that the essential oils of popular plants can also reveal toxic characteristics that many people are unaware of.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1716toxicitymonoterpenesplant secondary metabolitesteratogenicityneurotoxicityabortifacient |
| spellingShingle | Karolina A. Wojtunik-Kulesza Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds Molecules toxicity monoterpenes plant secondary metabolites teratogenicity neurotoxicity abortifacient |
| title | Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds |
| title_full | Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds |
| title_fullStr | Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds |
| title_short | Toxicity of Selected Monoterpenes and Essential Oils Rich in These Compounds |
| title_sort | toxicity of selected monoterpenes and essential oils rich in these compounds |
| topic | toxicity monoterpenes plant secondary metabolites teratogenicity neurotoxicity abortifacient |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/5/1716 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT karolinaawojtunikkulesza toxicityofselectedmonoterpenesandessentialoilsrichinthesecompounds |