Monoterpenes in Vascular Function: A Review of Bioactivity and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The function and structure of blood vessels play a crucial role in the development and aggravation of these diseases. Natural products, such as aromatic plants, present a wide variety of terpenes content. Monoterpenes, a selected group of terpenes, have two building blocks of five-carbon isoprene (C5H8) unit. Moreover, different monoterpenes have shown pharmacological activity in the cardiovascular system, particularly in vascular function, which is mediated, at least in part, by modulating the nitric oxide pathway, oxidative stress, inflammation, and calcium signaling. Therefore, this review addresses the role of monoterpenes as pharmacological tools in the vascular system, providing mechanisms of action and their biological effects.