A comprehensive review on the pharmacological prospects of Terpinen-4-ol: From nature to medicine and beyond

Abstract

Owing to their extensive biological potential, essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive phytochemicals have gained attention from the scientific community. Within this domain, Terpinen-4-ol (T-4-ol), a bioactive monoterpene alcohol and the major constituent of tea tree oil (TTO), has made its way into translational research. Recent literature on T-4-ol strongly indicates its diverse pharmacological properties, including but not limited to antimicrobial, antivirulent, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and anti-cancer effects. Hence, this review is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources, bioavailability, safety, pharmaceutical delivery systems, and multifaceted biological properties of T-4-ol, emphasizing its medicinal potential for widescale application. The antibacterial and antifungal effectiveness of T-4-ol has been discussed, encompassing its role in combating a broad spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens. The review delves into the antivirulent prospects of T-4-ol, shedding light on its ability to attenuate virulence and mitigate bacterial pathogenesis. Scientific literature on the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of T-4-ol highlighting its role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species and modulating inflammatory pathways has also been collated. Furthermore, the review elaborates on the cardioprotective and anti-hypertensive properties of T-4-ol and augments literature on its anti-cancer mechanism against various cancer cell lines. The review also provides in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical formulations of T-4-ol and recent knowledge about its application in clinical/field trials. The exploration of these diverse attributes positions T-4-ol as a promising candidate for further research and therapeutic repurposing in various biomedical applications.