Distinction and Pharmacological Activity of Monoterpenes and Sesquiterpenes in Different Chemotypes of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl
Zhangxiang Min, Bingsong Zheng, Daoliang Yan
Abstract
Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, a perennial evergreen tree of the Lauraceae family, exhibits diverse chemotypes and abundant essential oil constituents, which are widely utilized in pharmaceuticals, perfumery, and fine chemicals. Based on the variation in dominant volatile constituents, five chemotypes have been identified: Borneol Chemotype (BC), Camphor Chemotype (CC), Eucalyptol Chemotype (EC), Isoborneol Chemotype (IC), and Linalool Chemotype (LC). Their compositions of monoterpenoids (MT) and sesquiterpenes (SQT) differ significantly. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on MT and SQT in different chemotypes of C. camphora over the past five decades, with a total of 164 compounds identified (83 MT and 81 SQT), and compares the unique and shared constituents among chemotypes. Pharmacological studies indicate that C. camphora essential oils from different chemotypes exhibit strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities, with linalool, camphor, and several SQT compounds showing remarkable biological effects in multiple bacterial, fungal, and tumor cell models. The underlying mechanisms may involve the disruption of cell membrane integrity, inhibition of key metabolic enzymes, interference with genetic transcription, and synergistic effects among multiple constituents. However, research on low-abundance bioactive components in different chemotypes remains limited, and their pharmacological mechanisms require further elucidation. This review provides a systematic reference for the future exploration of bioactive constituents, mechanistic studies, and efficient utilization of essential oils from different chemotypes of C. camphora, offering valuable insights for refined resource exploitation and industrial application.