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Pharmacological Properties of Essential Oil Constituents and their Mechanisms of Action

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Plant-derived Bioactives

Abstract

Since time immemorial, essential oils (EOs) have been utilized for their therapeutic properties. However, during recent decades, a renewed interest has been experienced in EOs and their individual constituents due to their remarkable pharmacological potentials evidenced by various experimental studies. For instance, they are broadly acknowledged for their antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and anticancer properties. Also, EOs have demonstrated to improve conditions associated with brain and cardiovascular diseases amongst others. Multiple studies have identified and isolated EOs phytocomponents possessing therapeutic activities. In addition, studies have elucidated their underlying mechanisms of actions involved in the treatment and management of several ailments. Thus, given the wide spectrum of biological activities exhibited by these active compounds, this chapter endeavours to provide a mechanistic overview of some common EOs constituents with regard to their pharmacological properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam

    Bibi Sharmeen Jugreet & Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally

  2. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

    Bibi Sharmeen Jugreet & Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally

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  1. Bibi Sharmeen Jugreet
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  2. Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
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Correspondence to Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally .

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, East West First Grade College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    Mallappa Kumara Swamy

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Jugreet, B.S., Mahomoodally, M.F. (2020). Pharmacological Properties of Essential Oil Constituents and their Mechanisms of Action. In: Swamy, M. (eds) Plant-derived Bioactives. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2361-8_18

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