Anticancer Properties of Essential Oils: An Overview | Bentham Science
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Current Cancer Drug Targets

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ISSN (Print): 1568-0096
ISSN (Online): 1873-5576

Review Article

Anticancer Properties of Essential Oils: An Overview

Author(s): Milene Aparecida Andrade, Mariana Aparecida Braga, Pedro Henrique Souza Cesar, Marcus Vinicius Cardoso Trento, Mariana Araújo Espósito, Lucilene Fernandes Silva and Silvana Marcussi*

Volume 18, Issue 10, 2018

Page: [957 - 966] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1568009618666180102105843

Price: $65

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Abstract

Background: Essential oils are complex mixtures of low molecular weight compounds extracted from plants. Their main constituents are terpenes and phenylpropanoids, which are responsible for their biological and pharmaceutical properties, such as insecticidal, parasiticidal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, anticarcinogenic, and antitumor properties. Cancer is a complex genetic disease considered as a serious public health problem worldwide, accounting for more than 8 million deaths annually.

Objective: The activities of prevention and treatment of different types of cancer and the medicinal potential of essential oils are addressed in this review.

Conclusion: Several studies have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic and antitumor activity for many essential oils obtained from various plant species. They may be used as a substitution to or in addition to conventional anti-cancer therapy. Although many studies report possible mechanisms of action for essential oils compounds, more studies are necessary in order to apply them safely and appropriately in cancer therapy.

Keywords: Antitumor agents, natural products, secondary metabolites, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, essential oils.

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