Medically Useful Plant Terpenoids: Biosynthesis, Occurrence, and Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Specialized plant terpenoids have found fortuitous uses in medicine due to their evolutionary and biochemical selection for biological activity in animals. However, these highly functionalized natural products are produced through complex biosynthetic pathways for which we have a complete understanding in only a few cases. Here we review some of the most effective and promising plant terpenoids that are currently used in medicine and medical research and provide updates on their biosynthesis, natural occurrence, and mechanism of action in the body. This includes pharmacologically useful plastidic terpenoids such as p-menthane monoterpenoids, cannabinoids, paclitaxel (taxol®), and ingenol mebutate which are derived from the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, as well as cytosolic terpenoids such as thapsigargin and artemisinin produced through the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. We further provide a review of the MEP and MVA precursor pathways which supply the carbon skeletons for the downstream transformations yielding these medically significant natural products.

Corymbia citriodora: A Valuable Resource from Australian Flora for the Production of Fragrances, Repellents, and Bioactive Compounds

“…As new approaches are developed, petrochemical derived precursors may be reduced [155]. As terpenes are renewable and relatively non-toxic, they are easier and safer to work with [44,45]. The practice of adopting greener synthesis practices is fast becoming more economically sensible, particularly in the case of C. citriodora, which has wide intrinsic value for not only its wood, but also the diversity of the terpenes in its oil and their better understood places in commodity and fine chemical synthesis.…”

“…Further, LSG oil composition and yields have been shown to vary by the method of extraction [38], part of the plant used [39], location of the plant [40], light conditions [41], the time the plant material was collected or distilled [40], or the hybridization of the plant with another related tree species [42]. 1 Terpenes are an interesting feedstock for chemical syntheses [44,45], particularly those with a unique composition like LSG oil, and only a few major components. Terpenes may be used as a non-petrochemical dependent source of complex carbon structures, making them attractive for green chemistry applications [5].…”

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena diversifolia AND Sesbania sesban

“…Flavonoids have been used as scavengers of superoxide anions, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent (Nirosha et al, 2019;Hossein et al, 2013) while alkaloids act as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity (Iqbal et al, 2015;Matsuura and Fett-Neto, 2015;Hussain et al, 2018). Similarly, steroids and terpenoids have been reported to possess cardiotonic effect, antibacterial, insecticidal properties (Iqbal et al, 2015;Tholl, 2015;Bergman et al, 2019).…”

Participation of MicroRNAs in the Treatment of Cancer with Phytochemicals

“…Primary molecular targets of irinotecan and etoposide are topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II, respectively [ 9 , 10 ]. Paclitaxel and vincristine are microtubule inhibitors, displaying anti-cancer properties, such as cell cycle arrest and apoptosis [ 10 , 11 ].…”