# \(\beta\)-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Countless Biological Properties
## 2 Biological properties of \(\beta\)-caryophyllene  
In the last few years, BCP has represented an important subject of study [9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55]. In particular, a lot of researches about the its effects in vitro and in vivo on animals have been conducted, thus experimental data about its biological properties have been verified. However, further studies are needed in order to translate the findings in animal models into promising pre-clinical and clinical trials on humans. Pre-clinical studies have revealed that BCP is a modulator of nervous system and exerts beneficial effects on numerous neurodegenerative and inflammatory pathologies. Moreover, it is able to act on the liver and bones, and has antibiotic properties. Table 1 shows the principal studies on \(\beta\)-caryophyllene. Figure 2: Structures of cannabinoids (5–7). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Experimental** & **Effects** & **Possible Mechanisms** & **References** \\ \hline
50 mg/kg (i.p.) in Wistar & Neuroprotective & Decreased NO synthesis; & [PERSON] et al. (2016) [22] \\ rats (models of & & Decreased activation of & (2016) [22] \\ Alzheimer’s disease) & & astrocytes and microglia; & \\  & & Reduced expression of & \\  & & Iba-1 e GFAP & \\ \hline
10 mg/kg in rat Clone 6 & Anti-inflammatory & Reduced production of iNOS, & [PERSON] et al. \\ (C6) microglial cells & & IL-1\(\beta\), IL-6 and COX-2 & (2013) [24] \\ \hline
10, 25, and 50 uM in BV2 & Suppression of & NF-kB inhibition; & [PERSON] et al. \\ mouse cells & neuroinflammation due & Decreased production of NO & (2017) [26] \\  & to hypoxia & and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) & \\ \hline
10 mg/kg in SH-SY5Y & Neuoprotective; & Nrf activation & Viveros-Paredes \\ mouse cells treated with & enhancement of motor & & et al. (2017) [30] \\ MPTP (model of & coordination & & \\ Parkinson’s disease) & & & \\ \hline
0.5 and 1 uM in rat C6 & Antioxidant & Nrf activation & [PERSON] et al. \\ glioma cells & & & (2014) [33] \\ \hline
25 mg/kg twice a day & Attenuation of & mitogen-activated protein & [PERSON] et al. \\ (p.o.) in mice treated with paclitaxel (model of & peripheral neuropathy) & kinase (MAPK) & (2017) [36] \\  & & p38/NF-kB inhibition & \\ \hline
2.25–18 ug (s.c.) & Strengthening of & CB2-R activation; & [PERSON] et al. \\  & analgesic effect of & Stimulation of \(\beta\)-endorphins & (2013) [37] \\  & morphine & release and u-opioid receptors & \\ \hline
50 mg/kg twice a day in & Decreased pain; & Decreased production & [PERSON] et al. \\ mice with experimental & decreased cerebral & of IFN-\(\gamma\); & (2017) [38] \\ autoimmune & damage; & Increased expression of IL-10; & \\encephalomyelitis & antioxidant & Increased activity of catalase, & \\ (model of multiple & & superoxide dismutase and & \\ sclerosis) & & glutathione peroxidase. & \\ \hline
50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of & Sedative & & [PERSON] et al. \\ the hydroalcoholic & & & (2015) [39] \\ extract and 200 mg/kg of & & & \\ the essential oil from & & & \\ basil in Syrian mice. & & & \\ \hline
50, 100 mg/kg of the & Sedative & [PERSON] et al. \\  & essential oil from & & (2012) [40] \\ _Baccharis uncinella_ (p.o.) & & & \\ \hline
50, 100, 150 mg/kg of the & Anxiolytic & [PERSON] et al. \\ hydroalcoholic extract & & & (2015) [39] \\ and 200 mg/kg of the & & & \\ essential oil from basil & & & \\ (i.p.) in Syrian mice & & & \\ \hline
50 mg/kg in (C57 black 6) & Anxiolytic & Activation of CB2-Rs & [PERSON] et al. \\ C57 BL/6 mice (p.o.) & & & (2014) [41] \\ \hline
100 and 300 μg/mL of & Muscle relaxant & [PERSON] et al. \\  & essential oil from & & (2010) [42] \\ _Pterodon polygalaeflorus_ & & & \\ and 30 and 100 μg/mL of & & & \\ BCP in rats & & & \\ \hline
50 mg/kg in C57 BL/6 & Antidepressive & Activation of CB2-Rs & [PERSON] et al. \\ mice (p.o.) & & & (2014) [41] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Preclinical studies on \(\beta\)-caryophyllene.