Franko Burčul, Ivica Blažević, Mila Radan and Olivera Politeo* Pages 4297 - 4343 ( 47 )
Essential oils constituents are a diverse family of low molecular weight organic compounds with comprehensive biological activity. According to their chemical structure, these active compounds can be divided into four major groups: terpenes, terpenoids, phenylpropenes, and "others". In addition, they may contain diverse functional groups according to which they can be classified as hydrocarbons (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons); oxygenated compounds (monoterpene and sesquiterpene alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and other oxygenated compounds); and sulfur and/or nitrogen containing compounds (thioesters, sulfides, isothiocyanates, nitriles, and others).
Compounds that act as cholinesterase inhibitors still represent the only pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer´s disease. Numerous in vitro studies showed that some compounds, found in essential oils, have a promising cholinesterase inhibitory activity, such as α-pinene, δ-3-carene, 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, thymohydroquinone, α- and β-asarone, anethole, etc.
This review summarizes the most relevant research published to date on essential oil constituents and their acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potential as well as their structure related activity, synergistic and antagonistic effects.
Terpenes, phenylpropanoids, sulfur volatiles, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, structureactivity relationship, synergism.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Split, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Split, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Split, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Split