(+)-Camphor (D-(+)-Camphor)

(1R)-(+)-Camphor is a terpene that has been found in C. sativa, C. indica, and C. sativa/C. indica hybrid strains as well as the essential oils from a variety of herbs including rosemary, lavender, and sage and has diverse biological activities.^1,2,3,4,5,6 It inhibits norepinephrine secretion and cytosolic calcium and sodium increases induced by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) in chromaffin cells (IC₅₀s = 70, 88, and 19 μM, respectively).² (1R)-(+)-Camphor (65-260 μM) induces proliferation of and increases expression of collagen IA, collagen IIIA, collagen IVA, and elastin in human primary dermal fibroblasts.³ In vivo, (1R)-(+)-camphor increases expression of collagen IA, collagen IIIA, collagen IVA, and elastin in skin in UV-exposed mice when administered at doses of 26 and 55 mM in drinking water post UV-exposure. It reduces cough frequency in citric acid-challenged guinea pigs.⁴ (1R)-(+)-Camphor is insecticidal, reducing digging activity and inducing mortality of fire ant workers.⁵ It has also been used as a building block in the synthesis of cannabinergic ligands.⁶

1.Elzinga, S., Fischedick, J., Podkolinski, R., et al.Cannabinoids and terpenes as chemotaxonomic markers in CannabisNat. Prod. Chem. Res.3(4)181(2015) 2.Park, T.-J., Seo, H.-K., Kang, B.-J., et al.Noncompetitive inhibition by camphor of nicotinic acetylcholine receptorsBiochem. Pharmacol.61(7)787-793(2001) 3.Tran, T.A., Ho, M.T., Song, Y.W., et al.Camphor induces proliferative and anti-senescence activities in human primary dermal fibroblasts and inhibits UV-induced wrinkle formation in mouse skinPhytother. Res.29(12)1917-1925(2015) 4.Laude, E.A., Morice, A.H., and Grattan, T.J.The antitussive effects of menthol, camphor and cineole in conscious guinea-pigsPulm. Pharmacol.7(3)179-184(1994) 5.Zhang, N., Tang, L., Hu, W., et al.Insecticidal, fumigant, and repellent activities of sweet wormwood oil and its individual components against red imported fire ant workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)J. Insect Sci.14(1)pii:241(2014) 6.Lu, D., Guo, J., Duclos, R.I., Jr., et al.Bornyl- and isobornyl-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinols: A novel class of cannabinergic ligandsJ. Med. Chem.51(20)6393-6399(2008)