What effects does phellandrene have?

Effects of Phellandrene

Phellandrene is a terpene with a pungent odor, often resembling peppermint, and is known to be present in various plants, such as eucalyptus, water fennel, and parsley. Recent scientific research has discovered several potential effects of this compound on the human body.

Phellandrene and Antimicrobial Activity

Studies reveal that the alpha and beta-phellandrene can exhibit antimicrobial activity. This means that they have the potential to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, further studies are necessary to comprehend completely how the compound interacts with the various existing strains of microbes (Scott, I.M., Puniani, E., Durst, T., Phelps, D., Merali, S., Assabgui, R., … Arnason, J.T., 2005).

Anticancer Properties

Another intriguing effect of phellandrene is its demonstrated anticancer property in laboratory settings. In vitro studies indicate that the compound can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells and reduce their proliferation (Ho, C.L., Wang, E.I.C., Su, Y.C., 2010). This discovery hints at the potential for phellandrene to be used in cancer treatments in the future, although much more research will be needed in this area.

Potential Neuroprotective Effects

Lastly, Phellandrene showed potential neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies. It helped alleviate symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, essentially protecting nerve cells from damage (Yu, M., Chen, X., Liu, J., Ma, Q., Zhu, D., & Li, L., 2016). Yet, more extensive studies are needed to better understand the mechanistic action of the compound and its potential to contribute to the treatment or prevention of such diseases.