Valencene is part of a group of larger, more complex terpenes called sesquiterpenes and is less common in cannabis than the similarly citrus-smelling limonene. Valencene derives its name from the Valencia nature, the plant in which it most commonly occurs. The terpene features a sour taste with an herbal sweetness, more akin to oranges than lemon-like limonene.
Valencene can be found in many citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, tangerines, nectarines, and mangos. It appears in Chinese Bayberry, a valued medicinal herb, and is also the precursor molecule to nootkatone, the terpene responsible for the distinct aroma of grapefruit.
Valencene Terpene isolate
Therapeutic Benefits :
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Skin protectant
A 2016 study looked into the effects of valencene on atopic dermatitis. Also known as eczema, this skin condition causes symptoms such as dryness, itchiness, and rashes. People with eczema may also have thickened, scaly skin that is sensitive and prone to cracking.
The study found that valencene improved atopic dermatitis symptoms in mice by reducing inflammation and boosting a protective skin barrier protein known as involucrin.
Researchers concluded that valencene has a “potential therapeutic advantage” when treating and managing atopic dermatitis.
Another study published in the Journal of Natural Products indicates that valencene may help protect the skin from photoaging, a clinical term for skin damage caused by repeated prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Signs of photoaging include:
- Wrinkles
- Loss of skin tone
- Changes in skin texture
- Spider veins
- Age spots, liver spots, and freckles
- Blotchy complexion
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Whether valencene can, in fact, help ward off dementia remains to be seen.
Chemotherapy drug efficacy
Combining chemotherapy drugs with valencene and other terpenes may produce a synergistic effect, boosting the drug’s efficacy.
In a 2017 study, researchers tested the essential oil of Chinese bayberry (which contains a lot of valencene) for its antiproliferative effect, or its ability to prevent or decrease the spread of cancer cells.
Four different types of cancer cells were used. The authors found that of the various terpenes tested, only valencene was effective in all four cell lines. A synergistic effect between the terpenes and the chemotherapy drug was observed in three of the four cell types.
Anti-inflammatory
As we’ve just seen, valencene may help treat skin conditions (namely eczema) thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. A 2021 article in Environment, Development and Sustainability further demonstrated these effects.
In that study, researchers evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of the trailing lantana plant—a shrub known for its vivid lavender flowers. Its makeup of chemical compounds includes several terpenes, with valencene being the most abundant.
Mice with acute or chronic inflammation were given oral doses of the essential oil containing valencene. It was found to have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) effects. The authors emphasized that the essential oil produced “no evident toxicity.”
Anti-allergy
In 2011, researchers tested the anti-allergic potential of several monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, including valencene. They found that the sesquiterpenes were able to inhibit the release and production of enzymes associated with certain allergies. Valencene, they noted, had “the highest inhibitory effect.”
Neuroprotective activity:
Research into valencene’s neuroprotective potential is minimal. One study published in 2021 sought to determine whether terpenes’ proven antioxidant effects could help protect against dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
During the study, valencene and other terpenes showed an ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This, the authors state, is “one of the most critical aspects” of a compound’s neuroprotective capacity.
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Chemical properties:
CAS: 13466-78-9
EINECS: 236-719-3
FEMA: 3821
HS.CODE: 29021900
Molecular Formula: C10H16
Moleclar Weight: 136.24
