Terpenes consist of a group of 30,000 reported chemicals, and have been known as constituents of flavors, antifeedants and pheromones. Terpenes are made from the isoprene unit (C5), and, according to the number of units, they are classified as hemi- (C5), mono- (C10), sesqui- (C15), di- (C20), sester- (C25), tri- (C30), tetra- (C40), or polyterpenes ((C5)n; n > 8). A number of modification products and derivatives, collectively referred to as terpenoids, have also been characterized, and include steroids/sterols, saponins and meroterpenes. Terpenes have also been reported to be beneficial for human health due to their anti-inflammation, anti-carcinogenesis and neuroprotection effects. Furthermore, the involvement of specific cell signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), as well as the production of cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), have been found to be responsible for these effects. Such biological activity is often related with specific sub-groups of terpenes such as cannabinoids, retinoids, steroids, taxanes and terpenoid indole alkaloids. Although terpenes are known as activators and inhibitors for enzymes and signal mediators, estrogenic terpenes and terpenoids comprise an important phytoestrogen class due to their contribution to or influence on human health.

References

1.Kiyama R. Eur J Pharmacol. 2017;815:405–415.