The bibliographic citations are derived from Medline databases through the National Library of Medicine.
Note: Essential oil of lemon consists of 90-95% monoterpenes, 55-80% of which are limonene.
Cancer therapy
Crowell PL (1999). Prevention and therapy of cancer by dietary monoterpenes. J Nutr, 129(3):775S-778S.
Summary: This
article was a review of the literature on monoterpenes. These are primary
chemical constituents in essential oils of many citrus fruits. Studies
have indicated that monoterpenes have antitumor activity, and appear to act
in multiple ways in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy.
Bardon S, Picard
K, Martel P (1998). Monoterpenes inhibit cell growth, cell cycle progression,
and cyclin D1 gene expression in human breast cancer
cell lines. Nutr Cancer, 32(1):1-7.
Summary: In
this study, limonene-related monoterpenes inhibited cell proliferation.
The researchers stated that monoterpenes have been shown to have
chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive action. They concluded that monoterpenes
are a new class of therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
Moghimi HR, Williams AC, Barry BW (1998). Enhancement by terpenes of 5-fluorouracil permeation through the stratum corneum: model solvent approach. J Pharm Pharmacol, 50(9):955-64.
Summary: Using
human epidermis, 26 different terpenes were tested to enhance the permeability
of 5-flourouracil, a chemotherapy agent, through skin. Data obtained
showed that cineole enhances the effect of 5-fourouracil much more than limonene.
Cineole is a primary compound in essential oils from the Myrtaceae and
Lauraceae families, such as myrtle, eucalyptus, tea tree, and cinnamon.
Zhao K, Singh J (1998). Mechanisms of percutaneous absorption of tamoxifen by terpenes: eugenol, D-limonene and menthone. J Controlled Release, 55(2-3):253-60.
Summary: Eugenol,
D-limonene and menthone, common components of essential oils, were studied as
potential enhancers of chemical penetration of tamoxifen, a
drug used in treating breast cancer. The study was carried out on pig
epidermis. All three enhancers significantly increased the permeability coefficient
of
tamoxifen. The mechanisms of action are discussed.
Vigushin DM, Poon GK, Boddy A, English J, Halbert GW, Pagonis C, Jarman M, Coombes RC (1998). Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of D-limonene in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer Research Campaign Phase I/II Clinical Trials Committee. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 42(2):111-7.
Summary: In
pre-clinical studies, D-limonene has shown minimal toxicity and significant
chemotherapeutic effects. It is well tolerated in cancer patients. These positive
indicators support further clinical studies of D-limonene.
Monoterpenes as regulators of malignant cell proliferation.
Hohl RJ (1996). Monoterpenes as regulators of malignant cell proliferation. Adv Exp Med Biol, 401:137-46.
Summary: This
article was a review of the literature on monoterpenes. It was concluded that
limonene and related monoterpenes showed marked anticarcinogenic activity.
The researcher recommended that monoterpenes be included in clinical trials.
Crowell PL, Siar Ayoubi A, Burke YD (1996). Antitumorigenic effects of limonene and perillyl alcohol against pancreatic and breast cancer. Adv Exp Med Biol, 401:131-6.
Summary: This review of the literature strongly supports further investigation of the monoterpenes limonene and perillyl alcohol as chemotherapeutic agents.
Last updated 03.25.05
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