Turpentine is a medication used to treat minor aches and pains of muscles and joints. Turpentine, also known as spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, and wood turpentine, is a liquid extracted from live trees, mainly pine, through distillation of resin.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Binding of turpentine oil or inflammatory cytokines e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1) activate signalling through the IL-1 Type 1 receptor (IL-1 R1). Initiation occurs by binding of Toll-interleukin 1 receptor adaptor protein (TIRAP) and Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (mD88) which then dissociates and interacts with IRAK (Interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase) and the tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6). This activates the MAPK pathway leading to transcription of the nuclear factor κB transcription factor and production of inflammatory mediators.
- Primary indication
- Turpentine has been used experimentally in a bath for the treatment of disseminated sclerosis and sexual dysfunction.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- First approval
- Canada, 1999
- Also known as
- Gum turpentine · Spirits of gum turpentine · Turpentine (gum) · Turpentine gum
- Code names
- Fema no. 3088
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of July 17, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Turpentine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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