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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348903
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Mitigation of the Invasive Pest Threat from the American Tropics and Subtropics

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Alpha-Terpineol, a natural monoterpene: A review of its biological properties

Author
item KHALEEL, CHRISTINA - University Of Vienna
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item BUCHBAUER, GERHARD - University Of Vienna

Submitted to: Open Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2018
Publication Date: 4/26/2018
Citation: Khaleel, C., Tabanca, N., Buchbauer, G. 2018. Alpha-Terpineol, a natural monoterpene: A review of its biological properties. Open Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1515/chem-2018-0040.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/chem-2018-0040

Interpretive Summary: Monoterpenes are one of the important class of terpenoids which as well-known as their constituents are used extensively in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, monoterpenes have been implicated in defensive and attractive roles. Alpa-terpineol is a monoterpenoid alcohol and present in the many essential oils. This compounds is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, a-terpineol has shown a wide range of biological activities and applications. In this review study, scientists from SHRS and University of Vienna conducted a review article related the important biological activities of alpha-terpineol from specific papers from 2000-2014. We found that alpha-terpineol has shown several biological activities including the antioxidative, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antiulcer, antihypertensive, antinociceptive activity, skin penetration enhancement, and insecticidal properties. This review provide potential directions to researchers, chemists, pharmacologists, microbiologists and entomologists.

Technical Abstract: Terpineols are monocyclic monoterpene tertiary alcohols and they are naturally present in plant species. There are five common isomers of terpineols, alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta- and terpinen-4-ol, of which alpha-terpineol and its isomer terpinen-4-ol are the most common terpineols found in nature. Alpha-terpineol play an important role in the industrial field. It has a pleasant odor similar to lilac and is a common ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and flavors. In addition, alpha-terpineol attracted a great interest as it has a wide range of biological activities including the antioxidative, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antiulcer, antihypertensive, antinociceptive activity, skin penetration enhancement, and insecticidal properties. This Study aims to review based on scientific findings on Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Chemical Abstracts from 2000-2014. Collectively, the use of alpha-terpineol in the medicinal application and pharmaceutical industry play important role in the therapeutic applications. This review will, therefore, support the further research regarding the utilization of alpha-terpineol in the future.