Monoterpenes metabolism camphor

Isoprene metabolism in plants is very complex. Plants can synthesize many types of aromatic substances and volatile oils from isoprenoids. Examples include menthol (1= 2 ), camphor (1 = 2), and citronellal (1 = 2). These Cio compounds are also called monoterpenes. Similarly, compounds consisting of three isoprene units (1 = 3) are termed sesquiterpenes, and the steroids (1 = 6) are called triterpenes. 

Pine EOs prevented bone loss in an osteoporosis model (ovariectomized rats). The monoterpenes borneol, thymol and camphor directly inhibited osteoclast resorption [388]. It was observed that inactive monoterpenes can be metabolized to their active forms in vivo thus, ds-verbenol, a metabolite of a-pinene, inhibited osteoclastic resorption activity, in contrast to the parent compound a-pinene. 

Plants especially from the Lamiaceae family can inhibit the growth of several weeds by releasing phytotoxic monoterpenes (a-pinene, P pinene, camphene, limonene, a-phellandrene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, borneol, pulegone, and camphor) (Angelini et al., 2003). The herbicide effect of 1,4-cineole and 1,8-cineole is also described by Dayan et al. (2012). Plants that are exposed to essential oils often metabolize them, and when citral was added geraniol, nerol and their acids appeared. When citronellal metabolization was tested, citronellol and citronellic acid were formed, and with pulegone (iso)-menthone, isopulegol and menthofuran were found (Dudai et al., 2000). 

Camphor, a bicyclic monoterpene, is extracted from the woods of Cinnamomum camphora, a tree located in Southeast Asia and North America. Furthermore, it is also one of the major constituents of the essential oil of common sage (Salvia officinalis). Solid camphor forms white, fatty crystals with intensive camphoraceous odor and is used commercially as a moth repellent and preservative in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (Wichtel, 2002). In dogs, rabbits, and rats, camphor is extensively metabolized whereas the major hydroxylation products of d- and L-camphor were 5-endo-md 5-ex -hydroxycamphor. A small amount was also identified as 3-e do-hydroxycamphor (Figure 8.2). Both 3- and 5-bornane groups can be further reduced to 2,5-bornanedione. Minor biotransformation steps also involve the reduction of camphor to borneol and isoborneol. Interestingly, all hydroxy-lated camphor metabolites are further conjugated in a Phase II reaction with glucuronic acid... 

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