PCOG: Volatile Oils & Terpenes

Biosynthesis of Volatile Oil | Terpene Derivatives

Form vis the acetate-mevalonic acid pathway

Biosynthesis of Volatile Oil | Aromatic Compounds

Form via the shikimic acid-phenylpropranoid route

Terpenoids

Natural products whose structure is divided into isoprene unit.

Monoterpenoids

• Emperical Formula: C10H16

• No. of Isoprene Units: 2

Sesquiterpenoid

• Emperical Formula: C15H24

• No. of Isoprene Units: 3

Diterpenoids

• Emperical Formula: C20H32

• No. of Isoprene Units: 4

Triterpenoids

• Emperical Formula: C30H48

• No. of Isoprene Units: 6

Tetraterpenoid or Carotenoid

• Emperical Formula: C40H60

• No. of Isoprene Units: 8

Monoterpenoids | Camphor

• Cinnamomum camphora

• Family Name: Lauraceae

Monoterpenoids | Eucalyptus

• Eucalyptus globulus

• Family Name: Myrtaceae

Monoterpenoids | Terpin Hydrate

• Pinus palustris

• Family Name: Pinaceae

Monoterpenoids | Thyme

• Thymus vulgaris

Monoterpenoids | Horsemint

Monarda puncata

Monoterpenoids | Tea

Monarda didyma

Monoterpenoids | Ajowan

Carum copticum

Monoterpenoids | Chamomile

• Matricaria recutita

• Family Name: Asteraceae

Monoterpenoids | Fever Few

• Tanacetum parthenium

• Family Name: Asteraceae

Monoterpenoids | Artemissin/Ginghaosa

• Artemisia annua

• Family Name: Asteraceae

Monoterpenoids | Gingko

• Gingko biloba

• Family Name: Gingkoaceae

Monoterpenoids | Forskolin

Coleus forskohli

Monoterpenoids | Taxol/Paclitaxel

• Taxus brevifolia

• Family Name: Taxaceae

Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils

Consist of unoxygenated terpenes, ses-quiterpenes and diterpenes

Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils | Pepper

• Scientific Name: Piper nigrum

• Family Name: Piperaceae

• Constituents: Volatile Oil (1-2.6%); Consists of a and b pinene, I-a-phellandrene, dL-limonene, piperonal, dihydrocarveol, B-caryophyllene

• Uses: Condiment, Stimulant, Irritant, Febrifuge

Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils | Turpentine Oils

• Scientific Name: Pinus palustris

• Family Name: Pinaceae

• Constituents: 64% t-pinene and 33% B-pinene with small amounts of dipentene, methyl chavicol, terpinolene, bornyl acetate and pinocarveol

• Uses: Local Irritant, Counter Irritant, Antiseptic, Insecticides, Solvent for Waxes, Production of Synthetic Camphor, Shoe Polish, and Furniture Polish

Alcohol Volatile Oils

• Acyclic

• Terpentenes

• Sesquiterpene

Alcohol Volatile Oils | Peppermint

• Scientific Name: Mentha piperita

• Family Name: Labiatae/Lamiaceae

• Constituents: 50-75% of Free Menthol

• Uses: Pharmaceutic Aid, Carminative, Stimulant, Counterirritant, Flavor for Confections and Especially for Chewing Gum

Hydrocarbon Volatile Oils | Cinnamon Oil or Cassia Oil

• Is distilled with steam from the leaves and twigs

• Scientific Name: Cinnamomum cassia

• Family Name: Lauraceae

• Constituents: Cinnamic Aldehyde (80-95%), Terpenes and Other Compounds

• Uses: Flavoring Agent, Carminative, Antiseptic

Ketone Volatile Oils | Monocyclic Terpene Ketones

• Menthone → Pennyroyal, Peppermint

• Carvone → Spearmint & Caraway

• Piperitone → Eucalyptus

• Pulegone → Hedeoma

• Diosphenol → A phenolic Ketone in Buchu

Ketone Volatile Oils | Dicyclic Ketones

• 2-Camphenone → Camphor

• Thujone → Thuja, Tandy, Wormwood and Sage

Ketone Volatile Oils | Non-Terpene Ketones

Iron → Violet, Orris Root

Spearmint

• Mentha viridis obtained from the dried leaf and flowering top

• Scientific Name: Mentha spicata or Mentha cardiaca

• Family Name: Labiate

• Constituents: Volatile oil (0.5%) containing carvone, resin and tannins

• Uses: Flavoring agent and Carminative

Phenol Volatile Oils

• 2 Types:

  • Natural

  • Produced as the result of destructive distillation

• Most Important Phenols Are:

  • Eugenol → Clove oil & Allspice oil

  • Thymol & Carvacrol → Thyme oils & Monorda Oils

• The Important Drugs Containing Phenols Are:

  • Thyme, Clove, Pimenta, Myrcia Oil, Rectified Birch, Tar Oil, Creosote, Pine Tar, and Juniper Tar

Phenol Volatile Oils | Thyme Oils

• Obtained from the flower.

• Scientific Name: Thymus vulgaris, Thymis zygis

• Family Name: Labiate

• Constituents: Phenols

• Used: Flavor, Antiseptic, and Antispasmodic

Phenolic Ether Volatile Oils

Some important drugs under this Category are:

• Anise

• Fennel

• Myristica

• Mace

• Sassafras

Anise Oil

Obtained from the dried fruit

• Scientific Name: Pimpinella Anisum

• Family Name: Umbellifereae

• Constituents: Anethole (80-90%), small amounts of methyl clavicol p-methoxy-phenylacetone

• Uses: Flavoring agent, Carminative

Oxide Volatile Oils

The important drugs under this group are:

• Chenopodium

• Eucalyptus

• Cajuput

Chenopodium

Obtained from the fresh flowering and fruiting plant

• Scientific Name: Chenopodium ambrosioides

• Family Name: Chenopodiaceae

• Constituents: Ascaridol (60-80%), B-Cymene (20%), L-limonene, and d-camphor

• Use: Anthelmintic

Mustard Oil

Obtained from dried ripe seed

• Scientific Name: Brassica nigra, Brassica juncea

• Family Name: Brassicaceae

• Constituents: Allyl Isothiocyanate (90%)

• Uses: Rubefaciant or Vessicant, Gastrointestinal Irritant

Gaultheria Oil

• Obtained from the dried leaves

• Also known as wintergreen oil, betula oil, sweet birch oil

• Scientific Name: Gaultheria procumbens

• Family Name: Ericaceae

• Constituents: Methyl Salicylate

• Uses: Local Irritant, Antiseptic and Anti-Rheumatic