1Department of Biochemistry, Chalmeda AnandRao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana
2Department of Biotechnology, Vaagdevi Degree and PG College, Warangal, Telangana, India
3Department of Biochemistry, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
4Department of Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana, India
Biomedicine and Biotechnology.
2015,
Vol. 3 No. 1, 8-10
DOI: 10.12691/bb-3-1-2
Copyright © 2015 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Sabitha Kandi, Vikram Godishala, Pragna Rao, K.V. Ramana. Biomedical Significance of Terpenes: An Insight.
Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2015; 3(1):8-10. doi: 10.12691/bb-3-1-2.
Correspondence to: K.V. Ramana, Department of Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana, India. Email:
ramana_20021@rediffmail.comAbstract
Terpenes are polymers of isoprenoid units. These isoprenoid units are five carbon compounds and are favorite nature’s building blocks. In terpenes these isoprenoids are arranged in a regular head to tail fashion. The side chains of Vitamin A, E, K, squalene (unsaturated hydrocarbon found in shark, humans) are all constituents of terpenes. Terpenes emit fragrances which allow them to be used as insect repellants, aids in pollination, perfume preparation, cosmetics and also has many medicinal values if used in required quantities. Adverse usage of terpenes has toxic effects like seizures, CNS depression, nausea vomiting etc.
Keywords