Monoterpenes modulating autophagy: A review study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Natural Products Chemistry
• Cellular Biology and Disease Mechanisms

Background:

• Medicinal herbs are increasingly recognized for their low side effects and significant biological activities.
• Terpenes, particularly monoterpenes, are abundant natural compounds with diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects.
• Autophagy, a fundamental cellular degradation process, is implicated in various pathologies, including cancer, aging, and metabolic disorders, and can mediate cell death under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of monoterpenes on the cellular process of autophagy.
• To explore the relationship between monoterpene-modulated autophagy and their therapeutic outcomes.
• To highlight the potential of autophagy modulation by monoterpenes as a strategy in disease treatment, especially cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific articles focusing on monoterpenes, autophagy, and therapeutic applications.
• Analysis of studies investigating the molecular mechanisms by which monoterpenes interact with autophagy pathways.
• Synthesis of findings on the correlation between observed monoterpene effects on autophagy and their documented biological activities.

Main Results:

• Monoterpenes exhibit diverse interactions with autophagy, capable of inducing or inhibiting this process depending on the specific compound and cellular context.
• Modulation of autophagy by monoterpenes is linked to their demonstrated therapeutic effects, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities.
• Evidence suggests that targeting autophagy via monoterpenes could be a viable therapeutic strategy for managing diseases associated with autophagy dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Monoterpenes represent a promising class of natural compounds for therapeutic intervention through the modulation of autophagy.
• Further research into the precise mechanisms of monoterpene-autophagy interactions is warranted to optimize their clinical application.
• The interplay between monoterpenes and autophagy offers novel avenues for drug development in oncology and other autophagy-related diseases.