Title:Biochemical and Pharmacological Applications of Essential Oils in Human Health Especially in Cancer Prevention
Volume: 18
Issue: 13
Author(s): Pir Mohammad Ishfaq, Archana Shukla, Satyaprakash Beraiya, Swati Tripathi*Siddhartha K. Mishra*
Affiliation:
- Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University, Noida - 201313 (U.P.),India
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar - 470003 (M.P.),India
Keywords:
Essential oils, biomedical effects, natural prevention, anticancer, apoptosis, hydrophobic liquids.
Abstract: Background: Essential oils (EOs) are aromatic, volatile and concentrated hydrophobic liquids extracted
from plant material. EOs are also called as ethereal oils, volatile oils or aetherolea. EOs also play a crucial
role in plant defence and signalling processes. They are mostly used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other
products for flavouring food, drinks, adding scents to incense and household cleaning products. EOs have a long
medicinal history.
Methods: Reported research literature and online contents related to the use of EOs for their biochemical pharmacological
applications in cancer prevention therapy were reviewed. The most relevant and updated citations
were included in this review.
Results: This review elaborates the various types of EOs, their biochemical characteristics, and pharmacology.
Medicinal benefits of essential oil products range from various skin treatments to different types of therapies for
cancer and are dependent entirely on historical backgrounds of use of EOs for these properties. EOs have antimicrobial,
anticancer, antioxidant, antiparasitical, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, viricidal, fungicidal, wound
healing, antihypertensive, analgesic properties and other medicinal properties. The efficiency of EOs in medical
treatments and treatment of cancers are these days a subject of interest in most countries.
Conclusion: This review elaborated the potentials of EOs in regulating cancer cell growth and have explored the
probable EOs that can be used in drug development.
