Antitumor Activity of Monoterpenes Found in Essential Oils

الملخص EN

Cancer is a complex genetic disease that is a major public health problem worldwide, accounting for about 7 million deaths each year.

Many anticancer drugs currently used clinically have been isolated from plant species or are based on such substances.

Accumulating data has revealed anticancer activity in plant-derived monoterpenes.

In this review the antitumor activity of 37 monoterpenes found in essential oils is discussed.

Chemical structures, experimental models, and mechanisms of action for bioactive substances are presented.