ABSTRACT
Mono- and sesquiterpenoids are present in essential oils of many plants showing remarkable biological activities and are therefore extensively used as medicines, food additives, and as fragrance compounds. Although their activities have been studied for the last decades in humans, comprehensive data about their metabolism is still limited. In this review, we therefore summarize the metabolism of the most important mono- and sesquiterpenoids in cellular and animal models and, if data are available, also in humans. We also review in detail which enzymes are involved in the formation of the various metabolites including cytochrome P450 enzymes for the oxidation and glucuronosyltransferases and sulfotransferases for glucuronidation and sulfation. In summary, this review helps to better understand the impact of metabolism on the elimination of terpenoids which strongly affects activity.
