d-limonene

D-limonene is a naturally occurring monoterpene found primarily in the essential oils of citrus fruits. It has been extensively investigated for its chemopreventive and therapeutic potential across various conditions, including pancreatic and lung cancers, where it acts by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, often through the inhibition of protein isoprenylation (specifically Ras proteins). Beyond oncology, d-limonene is being evaluated for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth) due to its protective effects on salivary gland function. It also serves as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker in breath analysis for liver diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), where its exhaled concentration reflects hepatic metabolic capacity. Additionally, it is utilized in oral care formulations for its extrinsic tooth stain-removing properties.

Other names

(+)-limonene(R)-limoneneLMN1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene