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Terpenoids

Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a diverse and exciting class of phytochemicals that offer a multitude of potential health benefits. With more than 40,000 known structures, terpenoids represent the largest group of plant secondary metabolites. These fascinating compounds have been shown to exhibit therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. For example, Taxol, a diterpenoid derived from the rare Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), is a potent anticancer agent used in the treatment of various cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. Another interesting example is artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua), which has been successfully employed as a powerful antimalarial drug.