Thujopsene (Synonyms: NSC 44707, cis-(–)-Thujopsene)

Thujopsene is a sesquiterpene that has been found in T. dolabrata and has diverse biological activities.^1,2,3,4,5 It inhibits the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (IC₅₀ = 25.9 µg/ml) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform CYP2B6 (K_i = 0.8 µM).^1,2 Thujopsene is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including S. aureus, M. luteus, and S. typhimurium (MICs = 25-50 µg/ml).¹ It inhibits antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 mast cells (IC₅₀ = 25.1 µM) and is cytotoxic to A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with an LC₅₀ value of 35.27 µg/ml.^3,4 Thujopsene induces mortality in the mites D. farniae and T. putrescentiae (LC₅₀s = 9.82 and 10.92 µg/cm², respectively).⁵

1.Oh, I., Yang, W.-Y., Park, J., et al.In vitro Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitory activity and antimicrobial activity of sesquiterpenes isolated from Thujopsis dolabrataArch. Pharm. Res.34(12)2141-2147(2011) 2.Jeong, H.U., Kwon, S.S., Kong, T.Y., et al.Inhibitory effects of cedrol, β-cedrene, and thujopsene on cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in human liver microsomesJ. Toxicol. Environ. Health A.77(22-24)1522-1532(2014) 3.Kim, C.-H., Lee, T., Oh, I., et al.Mast cell stabilizing effect of (-)-Elema-1,3,11(13)-trien-12-ol and thujopsene from Thujopsis dolabrata is mediated by down-regulation of interleukin-4 secretion in antigen-induced RBL-2H3 cellsBiol. Pharm. Bull.36(3)339-345(2013) 4.Bordoloi, M., Saikia, S., Kolita, B., et al.Volatile inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway: Anticancer potential of aroma compounds of plant essential oilsAnticancer Agents Med. Chem.18(1)87-109(2018) 5.Kim, J.-R., Perumalsamy, H., Kwon, M.J., et al.Toxicity of hiba oil constituents and spray formulations to American house dust mites and copra mitesPest Manag. Sci.71(5)737-743(2015)