Volume 15, Issue 58, 2026 (April – June)
Research Article
Terpenoids from Medicinal Plants: Pharmacological Activities and Therapeutic Applications
Lokesh Kumar Soni
Keywords: Terpenoids, Medicinal plants, Biosynthetic pathways, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory
DOI:10.37273/chesci.cs032057031
Full Text – PDF
Abstract
Terpenoids represent the largest and most structurally diverse class of natural products, derived from five-carbon isoprene units. These compounds, produced through the cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) and plastidic methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways, display a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. This review offers a thorough exploration of the molecular mechanisms of action, biosynthetic origins, and challenges faced in the clinical translation of this class of secondary metabolites. Key mechanistic insights include the induction of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at the G1/S and G2/M phases, inhibition of NF-κB signaling, and disruption of microbial membranes. Despite their considerable therapeutic potential, the clinical translation of terpenoids is often hindered by issues such as poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and insufficient pharmacokinetic data. This report assesses the differences in activities across terpenoid classes, discusses current limitations in study designs, and examines the toxicological and pharmacokinetic profiles of prominent lead compounds.
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