An Absorption and Plasma Kinetics Study of Monoterpenes Present in Mastiha Oil in Humans

Abstract

Monoterpenes are bioactive compounds, however studies on their metabolic fate in humans are scarce. The present work aimed to identify and quantify the bioactive monoterpenes myrcene, α- and β-pinene of the Mediterranean product Mastiha Oil, in human plasma after acute consumption of a single dose. This was an open-label, single-arm acute study. After overnight fasting, healthy males were administered with Mastiha Oil. Blood samples were collected on different time-points before and after consumption. A novel GC-MS-MS application was performed to detect and quantify terpenes in MO and in plasma. Serum lipid resistance to oxidation was also determined. Alpha-Pinene, β-pinene and myrcene were identified and quantified in plasma. Alpha-pinene concentration significantly increased after 0.5 h of Mastiha Oil consumption, remaining significantly increased at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 24 h. Beta-pinene and myrcene followed similar patterns. The increase in serum lipid resistance to oxidation was significant at 1 h, reached its peak at 2 h and remained significant until 4 h. Conclusively, α-pinene, β-pinene and myrcene that are present in Mastiha Oil are absorbed by humans. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04290312).

Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Potential of the Essential Oil Pistacia lentiscus var. chia and Its Major Components Myrcene and α-Pinene

“…The bioavailability of mastic essential oil or its major components has not been thoroughly investigated. However, there are several reports that suggest that the terpenes, α-pinene, and myrcene present in the mastic oil are absorbed by humans and demonstrate their bioavailability pattern following oral administration [ 59 , 60 ]. More specifically, blood samples from human volunteers were collected at different time points before and after oral consumption of mastic oil.…”

“…More specifically, blood samples from human volunteers were collected at different time points before and after oral consumption of mastic oil. Following monitoring by GC-MS, it was determined that α-pinene and myrcene significantly increased following 0.5 h of essential oil administration and remained significantly increased at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h. An increase in serum lipid resistance to oxidation was also observed, which was significant at 1 to 4 h and peaked at 2 h after consumption [ 60 ]. In addition, both monoterpenes, myrcene and α-pinene, are absorbed by the skin [ 61 ], and in general terpenes are well recognized and relatively safe skin penetration enhancers for drug permeation across the human skin and have been receiving considerable attention for this property in pharmaceutical applications [ 62 ].…”

Medicinal Plants and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiome in Mental Health: A Systematic Review

“…Many of these findings indicate that it is not the essential oil but rather more polar constituents that are responsible for the interaction with gut microbiota, such as the phenolic diterpene carnosic acid in the case of rosemary, or polysaccharides and curcuminoids in the case of turmeric. This may be because essential oil constituents have a low molecular weight and are rather lipophilic, making them more likely to be absorbed in the upper intestine [ 218 ]. Therefore, they are less likely to come into contact with the gut microbiota.…”

Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent?

“…The high degree of bioavailability in plasma is a crucial step towards its useful usage in the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, β-myrcene reaches the plasma unaltered, with a peak concentration between 2 and 4 h ( 68 ). This could partially explain its health benefits and applications on human health.…”