Do terpenes have anti-cancer properties?

From the moment terpenes were discovered in cannabis plants and their chemovars, to this point in time, around 200 different terpene forms have been identified.

General description of terpenes

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds that are not only found in cannabis plants, but also in other plants, flowers, and fruits. They are often associated with cannabis because they are highly concentrated in it.

They are the odorous substances that give a plant its unmistakable taste and fragrance. Biologists discovered that some plants are protected from grazing animals and infectious organisms by the terpene present in them. These terpenes act as repellants against these predators.

Terpenes have been found to have therapeutic properties and act synergistically with available phytochemicals in the cannabis plant to contribute to their medicinal uses. Plants also enjoy the therapeutic benefits of terpenes. These live compounds act as part of the plant’s immune system, working to repair damaged tissue.

Identification of terpenes

People often confuse terpenes with terpenoids, and sometimes they are used in place of the other.

Terpenes and terpenoids are different. Terpenes are natural compounds found in living plants, while terpenoids are oxidized compounds found in dead dried and cured plants.

Scientists often have difficulty trying to filter out terpene compounds in some cannabis flowers. Over time, it was discovered that the identification of terpenes in a cannabis plant depends on their abundance in that plant, as well as their thermolability and volatility. Their content variations within a cannabis strain or breed also play a role in how easy or difficult the process of identification would be.

The common terpene compounds found in cannabis strains are myrcene, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, α-pinene, limonene and about 200 others.

Terpenes as anti-cancer agents

The widespread use of cannabis plants has led scientists to pay more attention to terpenes and their properties.

The therapeutic benefits of terpenes are numerous, but their most important medicinal property is that they can kill tumors and other cancer cells. This discovery of its anti-cancer properties has shed more light on terpene research. Scientists are researching to understand how these compounds fight cancer cells.

Cancer is a widespread, non-contagious disease for which there is no cure. The possibility that terpenes have anti-cancer properties makes it, like cannabis, a potential treatment for preventing and fighting the spread of cancer cells.

Some of the medicinal properties of terpenes include;

Antiviral

Terpenes in cannabis chemovars have a unique formulation that works against the replication, growth, and even penetration of the virus in healthy cells.

Antiplasmic

Terpenes have been shown to be naturally occurring antimalarials. Studies show that they have promising potential in curing plasmodial diseases

Anti-inflammatory

Terpenes are a major contributor to the overall anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal cannabis. Studies show that it can be used to treat or manage acute inflammation.

analgesic

Terpenes can be used to relieve pain symptoms. Several terpenes communicate with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) when ingested. This reaction with the ECS induces therapeutic analgesic effects.

Antimicrobial

Terpenes have properties that inhibit the growth of microbes in cells.

There are other medicinal benefits of terpenes to the human body that work in conjunction with their anti-carcinogenic properties. But the above have received a lot of attention for their high level disease management and treatment skills.

Not all terpenes are able to fight cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Some have been used in animal studies to test whether or not the compounds really have anti-cancer properties, while some submitted positive results, and others showed little or no response to suppress the growth of carcinogens.

Forms of terpenes with anti-cancer properties

This is a shortlist of terpene compounds that have anti-carcinogenic properties.

Eucalyptol

This is a lesser-known terpene found in select cannabis strains. It has been observed to induce dose-dependent apoptosis in experimental models with leukemia cells alongside other types of human cancer cells.

The eucalyptol terpene is found in high concentrations in eucalyptus oil. It is a monoterpene with a minty odor.

In an experiment with immunodeficient mice with transplanted colon cancer cells, eucalyptol was responsible for reducing the progression of cancerous cells.

Valencia

This is a sesquiterpene with cytotoxic and anti-cancer properties. Medical research shows that the sesquiterpene fights the growth and use of cysts and tumors in ovarian and lymphoblastic cancer cells.

The compound can enhance the effects of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to prevent the replication of tumor cells growing in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Valencene smells like citrus fruits and can be detected in mangoes, tangerines, and other nectarines.

Borneo

This terpene is found in cannabis plants and other plants such as camphor, thyme, ginger and rosemary. The compound has an earthy odor that is similar to the fresh camphor-like odor of the eucalyptol terpene compound.

Based on completed medical studies, this terpene is able to work concurrently with anti-carcinogenic drugs to enhance their response to cancer cells that appear resistant to chemotherapy.

In China, plants containing borneol have traditionally been used as medicines to improve the absorption of medicines in the body. Scientists are focusing on borneol’s temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier to develop drugs that can be used to selectively kill cancer cells in the brain. Borneol could soon be extracted for the efficient improvement of chemotherapeutic medicine.

Alpha phellandras

This is a cyclic monoterpene that is able to alter gene expressions in experimental treatments for cancer. Studies show that, in measured doses, α-phellandren can inhibit the survival of cancer cells and likely kill the tumor cells.

Other compounds that were partially studied were humulene, limonene, etc.

diploma

Most of the experimental studies that have been done with these terpene compounds are still in the early stages. In order for the medical industry to take full advantage of the therapeutic effects of terpenes, more biological studies need to be conducted.

The fight against / with cancer is tiring and exhausting. All potential anti-cancer agents, such as terpenes, need to be researched and researched as soon as possible.

MORE ABOUT TERPS, READ THIS …

WHAT ARE TERPENS IN CANNABIS

WHAT EXACTLY CANNABIS TERPENS ARE CLICK HERE!

OR..

WHAT ARE WEEDTERPENE

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TERPENS IN CANNABIS NOW?

Post a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *