An Absorption and Plasma Kinetics Study of Monoterpenes Present in Mastiha Oil in Humans

Abstract

Monoterpenes are bioactive compounds, however studies on their metabolic fate in humans are scarce. The present work aimed to identify and quantify the bioactive monoterpenes myrcene, α- and β-pinene of the Mediterranean product Mastiha Oil, in human plasma after acute consumption of a single dose. This was an open-label, single-arm acute study. After overnight fasting, healthy males were administered with Mastiha Oil. Blood samples were collected on different time-points before and after consumption. A novel GC-MS-MS application was performed to detect and quantify terpenes in MO and in plasma. Serum lipid resistance to oxidation was also determined. Alpha-Pinene, β-pinene and myrcene were identified and quantified in plasma. Alpha-pinene concentration significantly increased after 0.5 h of Mastiha Oil consumption, remaining significantly increased at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 24 h. Beta-pinene and myrcene followed similar patterns. The increase in serum lipid resistance to oxidation was significant at 1 h, reached its peak at 2 h and remained significant until 4 h. Conclusively, α-pinene, β-pinene and myrcene that are present in Mastiha Oil are absorbed by humans. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04290312).