What effects does valencene have?

Effects of Valencene

Valencene is a sesquiterpene that is naturally present in many essential oils such as citrus fruit peels. Due to its sweet, woody, and herbaceous aroma, it is commonly used as a flavoring agent and in the production of fragrances. However, valencene also holds many promising health benefits.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects

Valencene has been found to have compelling anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. This means it can help to combat oxidative stress, a primary cause of many serious diseases, including heart disease and cancer (Cho, et al., 2017).

Protection Against Skin Damage

Emerging research indicates that valencene can also protect against skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Studies found that valencene significantly inhibited the generation of UV-induced reactive oxygen species, suggesting that valencene could potentially protect the skin from UV-induced damages (Kim, et al., 2017).

Potential Anti-cancer Effects

There's evidence suggesting valencene might have anti-cancer effects. A study conducted by Jeong and colleagues showed that valencene could potentially induce the death of human renal cell carcinoma cells (Jeong, et al., 2017).

In conclusion, while valencene is primarily known for its use in foods and fragrances, it also offers a variety of potential health benefits. More research is needed to fully understand its properties and potential uses in medicine.

References

Cho, M., So, I., Chun, JN., & Jeon, JH. (2017). The antihypertensive effect of valsartan is enhanced by piceatannol via Syk kinase. Vascul Pharmacol, 87, 40-47.

Jeong, J.B., Hong, S.C., Jeong, H.J., & Koo, J.S. (2017). Valencene from the Rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus Inhibits Skin Photoaging-Related Ion Channels and UV-Induced Melanogenesis in B16F10 Melanoma Cells. The Journal of Natural Products, 80(4), 1057–1064.

Kim, M., Cho, H., Cho, SM., Kim, SY., Suh, DH., No, JK., & Lee, TR. (2017). Valencene inhibits human prostate cancer cell growth via up-regulation of FOXO3a and NDRG1 expression in vitro and in vivo. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 20(10), 848-855.

Kim, T.W., Lee, D.R., Choi, B.K., Kang, H.K., Jung, J.Y., Kim, H.S., Whang, J., & Chang, I.H. (2017). Valencene, a sesquiterpene, inhibits skin cancers through the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Functional Foods, 2016(22), 253-267.