Terpenoids: sources, structure elucidation and therapeutic potential in inflammation

Curr Top Med Chem. 2003;3(2):171-85. doi: 10.2174/1568026033392462.

Abstract

Natural products research has lately undergone exponential growth owing to advances in isolation techniques and in synthetic methods design, as well as for the identification of a wide range of biological properties exhibited by these compounds. In the present review, general remarks on the chemical features, biosynthetic pathways, isolation and structure elucidation of terpenoids are briefly discussed. In addition to this, recent work done on anti-inflammatory terpenoids (diterpenoids, triterpenoids and sesquiterpene lactones) with special emphasis on the last new molecular targets evaluated is presented.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Terpenes* / chemistry
  • Terpenes* / isolation & purification
  • Terpenes* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Terpenes