Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
09:20
Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.9K
Structural Modification of Selected Essential Oil Components for Potential Anticancer Applications: A Review
Vuyolwethu Khwaza1, Vuyani Maqanda1
1Department of Earth and Chemical Sciences, Chemistry Discipline, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Structural modification of essential oil compounds enhances their anticancer potential. Strategies like hybridization and heterocycle incorporation show promise, but further validation is needed for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Essential oils (EOs) contain bioactive compounds like monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids with anticancer properties.
- Direct therapeutic application of these natural compounds is limited by poor bioavailability, potency, and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural modification strategies for enhancing the anticancer activity of EO components.
- To evaluate the impact of these modifications on potency and mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacophore hybridization
- Heterocycle incorporation (triazoles, oxadiazoles, chalcones)
- Esterification, halogenation, metal complexation, and nanoparticle conjugation
Main Results:
- Structural modifications significantly improve the anticancer potential of EO scaffolds.
- Different strategies offer varying degrees of enhancement across diverse EO components.
- Evidence base is heterogeneous, limiting direct comparisons and translational interpretation.
Conclusions:
- Structural modification of EO components is a promising strategy for novel anticancer drug discovery.
- Standardized biological evaluation, in vivo validation, and pharmacokinetic/toxicity profiling are crucial for clinical translation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Aromatic Compounds: Overview
15.6K
In general, the term ‘aromatic’ indicates a pleasant smell or fragrance from fresh flowers, freshly prepared coffee, etc. In the early history of organic chemistry, many benzene derivatives were isolated from the pleasant odor oils of the plants. For example, vanillin was isolated from the oil of vanilla, methyl salicylate from the oil of wintergreen, and cinnamaldehyde from the oil of cinnamon. They all had a pleasant odor; hence the name aromatic was given.
In 1825, Faraday isolated...
In 1825, Faraday isolated...
15.6K
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
928
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
928
01:25Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
2.1K
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
2.1K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
9.1K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.1K
02:49Cancer Therapies
10.6K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.6K
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
2.9K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.9K