Sesquiterpene compounds

Sesquiterpene compounds are a highly diverse class of natural organic molecules consisting of three isoprene units (C15 backbone), found primarily in higher plants but also in fungi, microorganisms, and some animals[1][3][7]. They are a major component of essential oils and have extensive structural variety, appearing as acyclic, monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic forms, and are further diversified by oxidation and cyclization, resulting in many subgroups such as lactones, peroxides, and alcohols[1][3][7][5]. Sesquiterpenes are not a single molecular target but a structural class of natural products; specific sesquiterpene molecules (such as farnesol, β-caryophyllene, and zerumbone) exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and metabolic effects[2][4][7]. Instead of directly targeting a single protein or receptor, these compounds interact with various biological molecules, including enzymes and transcription factors, and can act on multiple biological pathways. Some sesquiterpenes (like β-caryophyllene) interact with specific targets (e.g., CB2 receptor), but the class as a whole does not correspond to any one canonical drug target[7]. Because of their diversity and breadth of action, sesquiterpenes are studied both as lead structures for drug discovery and as natural functional agents in food, health, and agriculture[4][5][7].

Other names

SesquiterpeneSesquiterpenoidSesquiterpene derivativesSesquiterpenoid lactonesFarneseneCaryophylleneFarnesolNerolidolEudesmanolidesSecoeudesmanolides

Antimicrobial action via membrane disruption; Covalent modification of regulatory proteins (e.g., inhibition of NF-κB via Michael addition to cysteines); Receptor agonism (e.g., β-caryophyllene is a cannabinoid type-2 [CB2] receptor agonist); Antioxidant enzyme induction; Modulation of inflammatory gene expression