Essential Oils in the Development of New Medicinal Products

*Jason Jerry Atoche Medrano*

## **Abstract**

The essential oils present a complex composition of different chemical compounds, where they present synergic or complementary action among each other, modifying their activity. Among its main components we can find the terpenoids and phenylpropanoids, which are responsible for giving the medicinal properties. Essential oils generally have a pleasant and intense odor, mostly in liquid form, found in different plant organs and are soluble in polar solvents. Essential oils are volatile, and are widely used in the perfume industry, cosmetics, food and beverage aroma, as well as use in aromatherapy to treat some diseases. The traditional knowledge of some plant species with phytotherapeutic properties is currently a source for research in the search for new biologically active compounds and as effective therapeutics that contemplate current health care.

**Keywords:** kinds, chemical compounds, productions, medicinal properties, health care

## **1. Introduction**

The essential oils (EOs) have a wide variety in nature with which they turn out to be an important base in the agricultural activity. They can be used as alternative medicine [1], in food products [2], perfume fixatives [3], pharmaceuticals and cosmetics [4], among others. Many types of essential oil oils are obtained from different plant species which means an important production from a commercial point of view, in this way we can conclude that the production and consumption of essential oils are increasing all over the world [5].

The EOs are susceptible to a series of factors that determine the quantity and quality of the same, as well as: the genetic variation, the type or the variety of plants, the geographic location of the plants, the surroundings, the weather, the seasonal variations, stress during growth, the process of obtaining used; affecting its chemical properties, such as composition and phytotherapeutic properties [6, 7].

Essential oils are mixtures of several compounds with low molecular weight; the obtaining can be done through different techniques: steam distillation, hydro distillation or extraction with solvents [8]. Considering the performance for each species should be considered the most convenient technique to be used. Considering commercial scale production, steam distillation is a technique widely used to obtain essential oils [9]. The main components found in the EOs are: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and oxygenated derivatives of these. In this way the terpenoids and phenylpropanoids are the components that make up the EOs [10]. Generally, the particular bioactivities of the OEs are due to one or two of the main components, in

this way the characteristics of the EOs is the result of a synergic effect between the main components [11].

We can find from natural products, as well as from their derivatives, new therapeutic sources for various treatments of diseases [12, 13]. Humanity has used natural products since antiquity for the treatment of various diseases, so it is not surprising that this knowledge is sought from a new scientific perspective. Within the natural products we can find the EOs, which have diverse applications mainly in health, agriculture, cosmetics and food.

Currently there is a worldwide effort to study and understand the phytotherapeutic, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, anticancer, antioxidant properties, among others, of the EOs [14].
