Methyl Eugenol: Potential to Inhibit Oxidative Stress, Address Related Diseases, and Its Toxicological Effects

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of methyl eugenol (ME), a compound found in the essential oils of various plants, to inhibit oxidative stress and its impact on diseases associated with this process. ME has been shown to possess antioxidant properties and antiproliferative activity in several cancers. It also demonstrates neuroprotective potential in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and ischemic brain injury. The mechanism of action involves the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, which facilitates the transcription of antioxidant genes and modulation of pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta, thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, research has identified potential toxicological risks associated with ME, including hepatotoxicity and changes in the gut microbiota. These findings highlight the need for caution when considering prolonged exposure to this compound.

Keywords

Natural compounds / Phenylpropanoid / Anticancer / Neuroprotection / Es-sential oil / Methyl eugenol

Acknowledgments

The author Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira thanks PDPG-POSDOC - Programa de Desenvolvimento da Pós-Graduação Pós-Douto-rado Estratégico, as well as CAPES for the scholarship (process number: 88887.852405/2023-00).

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

MSO has been an editorial board member of Future Integrative Medicine since October 2022. The other authors declare no con-flict of interest.

Author contributions

Study concept and design (MSO, SM), data acquisition (RK, EHAA), data analysis and interpretation, manuscript writing (MSO, RK, SM, EHAA), critical review of the manuscript regard-ing important intellectual content (MSO, EHAA, SM), administra-tive, technical or material support, and study supervision (MSO). All authors contributed significantly to this study and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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