Review of anticancer activity of monoterpenoids: Geraniol, nerol, geranial and neral

Abstract

In recent years head-to-tail monoterpene geraniol has been widely explored as a potential anticancer agent. Natural analogs like alcohol nerol, aldehydes geranial, and neral have been investigated. We explored the synergism of these terpenes with clinically and non-clinically used compounds as potential candidates for treating different types of cancer. Promising activity for these compounds has also inspired new analog syntheses. The anticancer potential of these compounds is described in this review.

Keywords: Cancer; Geranial; Geraniol; Neral; Nerol; Terpenes.