Terpenoids

(-)-Menthol is a key component of peppermint oil that binds and activates transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a Ca²⁺-permeable nonselective cation channel, to increase [Ca²⁺]_i. Antitumor activity.

β-Carotene (Provitamin A), a carotenoid compound, is a naturally-occurring vitamin A precursor. β-Carotene is a modulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. β-Carotene may serve as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant, depending on its intrinsic properties as well as on the redox potential of the biological environment in which it acts. β-Carotene induces breast cancer cells apoptosis, with anticancer activities.

β-Elemene ((-)-β-Elemene; Levo-β-elemene) is isolated from natural plant Curcuma aromatica with an antitumor activity. β-Elemene can induce cell apoptosis.

Lanosterol is an intermediate of cholesterol synthesis and use of lanosterol induces ubiquitination and degradation of a rate-controlling enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, i.e., HMG CoA reductase. Lanosterol suppresses the aggregation and cytotoxicity of misfolded proteins linked with neurodegenerative diseases.

Crocin (Crocin I) is an orally active natural product that can be isolated from the stigma of Crocus sativus. Crocin inhibits tumor cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis through JAK pathway. Crocin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities .

Retinyl acetate is a synthetic acetate ester form derived from retinol and has potential antineoplastic and chemo preventive activities.

Deoxynivalenol, an orally active mycotoxin of the trichothecenes family, crosses the intestinal mucosa by a paracellular pathway through the tight junctions. The Deoxynivalenol transport is not affected by P-glycoprotein (PgP) or multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) inhibitors.

Carnosol is a potent Ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK2) inhibitor that could be useful for treating gastric cancer, with an IC₅₀ of ~5.5 μM. Carnosol, a Nrf2 activator, increases the nuclear levels of Nrf2 and can promote the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1).

Ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2) induces the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9. Ginsenoside Rh2 induces cancer cell apoptosis in a multi-path manner.

Cycloastragenol (Astramembrangenin), the active form of astragaloside IV, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-apoptotic, and cardiovascular protective effects. Cycloastragenol is a potent telomerase activator and can lengthen telomeres. Cycloastragenol alleviates age-related bone loss and improves bone microstructure and biomechanical properties.

Geniposide is an iridoid glucoside extracted from Gardenia jasminoidesEllis fruits; exhibits a varity of biological activities such as anti-diabetic, antioxidative, antiproliferative and neuroprotective activities.

Hederagenin is a triterpenoid saponin with orally active and antitumor activity. Hederagenin can inhibit the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB in cells induced by LPS stimulation. Hederagenin also increases ROS production in cancer cells, disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential, and induces apoptosis. Hederagenin also sensitizes cancer cells to Cisplatin (HY-17394) and Paclitaxel (HY-B0015), enhancing induced apoptosis. Hederagenin can also bind to SKP2, with K_D = 67.9 μM. Hederagenin also has preventive potential against alcoholic liver injury.

Ginkgolide B (BN-52021), a terpene lactone, is a potent platelet activating factor antagonist. Ginkgolide B protects endothelial cells via the activation of PXR from injuries induced by xeno- and endobiotics. Ginkgolide B can pass through the brain-blood barrier. Ginkgolide B has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-apoptotic activity. Ginkgolide B has marked neuroprotective effects against ischemia-induced impairments.

Ingenol Mebutate is an active ingredient in Euphorbia peplus, acts as a potent PKC modulator, with K_is of 0.3, 0.105, 0.162, 0.376, and 0.171 nM for PKC-α, PKC-β, PKC-γ, PKC-δ, and PKC-ε, respectively, and has antiinflammatory and antitumor activity.

Aucubin is an iridoid glycoside component that acn be found in E. ulmoides. Aucubin can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has anti-anxiety, antidepressive and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Aucubin has many biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-fibrotic, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and osteoprotective effects.

Artemether is an anti-malarial compound that targets drug-resistant strains of falciparum malaria.

Costunolide ((+)-Costunolide) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone, with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, bone remodeling, neuroprotective, hair growth promoting, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. Costunolide can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis on breast cancer cells.

Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is a HMGB1 inhibitor, inhibits atopic dermatitis-related gene expression with anti-anti-inflammatory activity.

Maslinic acid can inhibit the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB p65 and abolish the phosphorylation of IκB-α, which is required for p65 activation.

Tubeimoside I is an orally active HSPD1 inhibitor. Tubeimoside I inhibits NF-κB, MAPK, as well as regulates eNOS-VEGF. Tubeimoside I induces cytoprotective Autophagy via an Akt-mediated pathway. Tubeimoside I inhibits proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-1β) production. Tubeimoside I exhibits anti-inflammatory activities. Tubeimoside I promotes angiogenesis and improves sepsis symptoms. Tubeimoside I is used in the research of inflammatory diseases, various cancers, sepsis and ischemic diseases.