ABSTRACT
Diseases associated with immunological dysfunction affect the human race worldwide. Ailments with uncontrolled immune response are principally characterized by abysmal inflammation as observed, for example, in allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, hepatitis, edema, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Modern therapeutic approaches against inflammatory diseases are constantly being tested due to complications in disease pathogenesis and repeated resurgence of symptoms. Alternative therapeutic approaches such as the use of natural products are now being introduced because of their target specificity and minimal side effects. Terpenoids, also known as terpenes, a class of secondary metabolites, have been widely used for centuries for therapeutic purposes as immunomodulators. Compounds of this class have continuously emerged as a source of life-saving pharmacophores. These compounds can be applied alone or used as a booster with normal treatment modalities. Terpenoids have been used in several clinical trials worldwide and found to possess multivalent potency against several inflammatory disorders.
This chapter highlights the therapeutic applicability of different terpenoids (i.e., monoterpenes, diterpenes, and triterpenes) against immunological diseases associated with a dysregulated inflammatory response. The modes of involvement of terpenoids in the regulation of inflammatory response in in vivo and in vitro model systems are discussed in detail. The future prospect of terpenoids in the prevention of inflammatory diseases along with their effects in various clinical trials and clinical experiments are also highlighted in this chapter.
