Cedar resin contains a large amount of terpenes. These biological compounds have a number of medicinal properties. Of particular interest to researchers is the anti-inflammatory effect of terpenes, due to which resin extract is used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, skin, and other diseases.
The authors of an article published in 2021 conducted a general analysis of current research on the use of terpenes as an alternative treatment for inflammatory diseases, and analyzed the available data on the mechanisms of the influence of terpenes on the inflammation process. The scientists concluded that terpenes affect pro-inflammatory cytokines, other inflammatory mediators, autophagy, and oxidative stress. Because of this, they have therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis, skin inflammation and neuroinflammation. [1]
The article lists the main processes and reactions in which terpenes are involved when they enter the human body with biologically active additives (such as resin extract) or as a drug component.
The inflammatory process causes tissue damage that is counteracted by anti-inflammatory cytokines or the activation of certain genes. Terpenes stimulate the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including nuclear transcription factor kappa-B, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In addition, they trigger protection against the severe consequences of acute and chronic inflammation by regulating the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. The authors of the study list a number of in vivo and in vitro experiments that confirmed the ability of terpenes to reduce the expression of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 in the Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. The article mentions 7 such experiments carried out in the last decade. [2]
In addition to the effect of terpenes on anti-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of certain genes, they are involved in two other processes associated with inflammation:
- Autophagy. "Autophagy has an essential role in pathological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, and cancer," the authors note. According to a number of studies, terpenes increase the process of autophagy, which reduces inflammation and slow down the growth of tumors.
- Oxidative stress. This is another process that accompanies and enhances inflammation. Terpenes are antioxidants, due to which they "have been shown to protect against different diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and aging processes."
The authors of the study are confident that the listed effects of terpenes make them an extremely effective natural remedy for the treatment of a large number of diseases. In particular, the results on the use of terpenes for the treatment of skin inflammation and neuroinflammation are promising.
