A review: Biological activity of myrtenal and some myrtenal-containing medicinal plant essential oils

Introduction: Myrtenal, a component of many plants` essential oils, is a bicyclic monoterpenoid. Numerous effects of myrtenal in experimental animals have been found - bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-aggregative and antihemolytic ( in vitro ), and antibacterial.  Its other activities have been studied - antioxidant, antitumor, antihyperglycemic, vasodilating, heart rate reducing and hypotensive. Myrtenal is relatively little studied in the field of neuroscience. Aim : The aim of this article is to summarize the available information on the established biological activity of the monoterpenoid myrtenal. Materials and Methods : Scientific databases such as PubMed, ResearchGate, HMDB and others have been used to provide information on the published results of properties and activities of the test substance (myrtenal) over a period of 15 years (2003 - 2018). Results: Our research confirmed the available data for its central nervous system (CNS) activity - anxiolytic and potentiating the effects of the hypnotic drugs, as well as the antioxidant properties. We have evaluated the neuromodulatory activity of M in brain tissue manifested in elevated levels of major neurotransmitters in healthy rodents and those with neurodegenerative changes accompanied by improvement in the animals` memory. Conclusion : Significant protective effects of myrtenal on neurodegenerative processes were established. Probably they are related to its complex mechanisms, including neuromodulatory and antioxidant properties.