Camphene

Camphene is a white, waxy solid, a bicyclic monoterpene hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C10H16. Camphene is naturally present in many essential oils. The substance is almost insoluble in water, moderately soluble in ethanol and highly soluble in chloroform. Antiproliferative effects have been demonstrated in animal experiments in melanoma cell cultures. Furthermore, the de novo synthesis of cholesterol in rats was inhibited.

Camphene is an ingredient of turpentine oil, of Pini turiones the pine shoots. Camphene is used in deodorants and fragrance oils.

1. Girola N et al(2015) Camphene isolated from essential oil of Piper cernuum (Piperaceae) induces intrinsic apoptosis in melanoma cells and displays antitumor activity in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 467:928-934.
2. Vallianou I et al(2016) Camphene, a Plant Derived Monoterpenes, Exerts Its Hypolipidemic Action by Affecting SREBP-1 and MTP Expression. PLoS One 11:e0147117.