Cedrene

Being a sesquiterpene, Cedrene is a highly fragranced constituent that is extracted from the essential oils of Cedar. It is a polymeric terpene with the molecular formula C15H24. It is also identified by various names such as cedr-8-ene, di-epi-alpha cedrene and alpha-funerbene.

Attributes of Cedrene:

It is a light yellowish transparent oil with Cedar woody smell. It falls under the category of fragrance agents and is predominantly used in perfumery.

Therapeutic attributes of Cedrene:

Cedrene possess antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancer properties.

Anticancer properties:

Cedrene exhibit anticancer activities. According to a study titled, ‘The selective cytotoxic anti-cancer properties and proteomic analysis of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum’, it was established that fenugreek contain several compounds such as gingerol, zingerone, vanillin, eugenol and Cedrene with anticancer properties and so it exhibit anticancer activities against a group of cancerous cells that included T-cell lymphoma.

According to a study named ‘Trypanocidal and anti-leukemic effects of the essential oils of Hagenia abyssinica, Leonotis ocymifolia, Moringa stenopetala, and their main individual constituents’, it is stated that cedrene exhibited powerful trypanocidal activities when the essential oils and their individual components are studied for their structure and activity relationships between trypanosomes and human leukemia cells.

Antiseptic property:

It is stated in ‘The Indian Oil and Soap Journal, Volume 30, Issue 5-Page No-134’ that Cedrene present in J,macropoda and J.communis possess mild antiseptic properties.

Anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties:

In the research article,’Fungicidal activities of certain methanolic plant extracts against tomato phytopathogenic fungi’, it has been stated that Cedrene present in Z.officinale plays a vital role in inhibiting the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and it is determined as one of the most effective anti-microbial agent in Z.officinale extract. Thus, Cedrene possess anti-fungal and anti-microbial activities.

Reference Links:

  1. Cedrene by Wikipedia
  2. Fungicidal activities of certain methanolic plant extracts against tomato phytopathogenic fungi published in the African Journal of Microbiology Research
  3. The selective cytotoxic anti-cancer properties and proteomic analysis of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum