Affiliation:
1. Postgraduate in Health Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Claudio Batista St, s/n, Sanatorio, Aracaju-SE, Brazil
2. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Gov. Marcelo Deda Avenue, 300, Lagarto, SE, Brazil
3. Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Marechal Rondom Avenue s/n, Sao Cristovao, SE, Brazil
Abstract
Introduction:
The pulmonary inflammatory response results from exposure to injurious factors and is
associated with oxidative stress, which intensifies the pathological reaction. In this context, limonene, a monoterpene
found in citrus fruits, can be a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of this pathology, as it presents
known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.
Objective:
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the anti-inflammatory activity of limonene and
its capacity to prevent and control respiratory system injuries.
Search strategy: A comprehensive literature search of the Cochrane, Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science,
and Lilacs databases was performed using the keywords: "limonene", “lung”, “pulmonary”, “airway”, “trachea”,
“lung injury”, "respiratory system", “respiratory tract diseases”.
Search strategy:
A comprehensive literature search of the Cochrane, Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science,
and Lilacs databases was performed using the keywords: "limonene", “lung”, “pulmonary”, “airway”, “trachea”,
“lung injury”, "respiratory system", “respiratory tract diseases”.
Selection criteria:
Studies on the use of limonene in disorders of the respiratory system, published until August
2019, were included. Those that did not use limonene alone or treated lesions in different systems other than the
respiratory system, without targeting its anti-inflammatory action were excluded. In addition, review articles,
meta-analyses, abstracts, conference papers, editorials/letters and case reports were also excluded.
Results:
Of the 561 articles found, 64 were in the Cochrane database, 235 in Scopus, 99 in Web of science, 150 in
PubMed and 13 in Lilacs. After completing the systematic steps, 25 articles were selected for full reading, after
which 7 papers remained in the review. An article was added after a manual literature search, resulting in a total
of 8 papers. There was a high level of agreement on inclusion/exclusion among the researchers who examined the
papers (Kappa index > 88%).
Conclusion:
Limonene has effective anti-inflammatory activity in both preventing and controlling respiratory
system injuries.
Funder
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Drug Discovery,Pharmacology