alpha-pinene

Alpha-pinene is a naturally occurring monoterpene and one of the most abundant terpenes found in nature, especially in pine resin and many plant essential oils. It is used experimentally, often in combination with other plant-derived compounds, for the treatment of bladder, kidney, and urinary stones[1]. Alpha-pinene exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antitumor (notably against various cancer cell lines), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticoagulant, antimalarial effects as well as neuroprotective properties[2][4]. Mechanistically, it has been shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in macrophages[4], modulate oxidative stress responses[6], induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase via downregulation of miR-221 expression leading to activation of CDKN1B/p27-CDK1 and ATM-p53-Chk2 pathways in cancer cells[2], and exert fungicidal activity through ergosterol complexation in fungal membranes[6]. Alpha-pinene also enhances drug skin penetration and may have synergistic effects with certain chemotherapeutics. Its use is primarily experimental or as a component of dietary supplements.

Other names

α-pinenepin-2(3)-ene