Analgesic-like activity of essential oils constituents

Molecules. 2011 Mar 7;16(3):2233-52. doi: 10.3390/molecules16032233.

Abstract

Research on neuroactive drugs is a pharmaceutical sector of high interest and growth. The discovery of efficient drugs that can relieve pain is a subject of research in the pharmaceutical industry and academic field because pain is a symptom of many diseases. This review will summarize results on the discovery of essential oil constituents with analgesic-like activity from the chemical and pharmacological perspectives. Overall, 43 bioactive compounds were selected in nociception models. Among them, 62.8% were monoterpenes, 18.6% sesquiterpenes and other constituents represented 18.6%. The data show the potential of this group of natural product chemicals as analgesic drugs that may be useful for therapeutic purposes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Oils, Volatile