7. Conclusions
As extra-nasally expressed ORs show their prominent involvement in diseases, undoubtedly they can be promising therapeutic targets. The characteristics of EORs can be categorized as “chemosensors” as they show no connection to olfaction (Lee, Depoortere & Hatt, 2019). As the EORs are categorized as chemosensors in the human body, undoubtedly they might be promising therapeutic targets.
It is quite practical to consider ORs as therapeutic targets, as approximately 30% of pharmaceuticals work through rhodopsin-like GPCRs (Overington, Al-Lazikani & Hopkins, 2006). Some ORs have also been suggested as biomarkers (Kalbe et al., 2017; Weber et al., 2018a). These biomarkers can be a noble clinical holy grail to detect diseases in the embryonic stage and to start the diagnosis of cancer. Although a lion’s share of the ectopic ORs is orphan, some of them with stimulants can actually inhibit several biosynthesis that leads to the betterment of human health.
EO can be a good source to continue the search for EORs activation mechanisms. EO is naturally full of fragrant compounds and frequently used by local doctors and aroma-therapists. It can balance physiological and psychological responses in the human body. We can use EO to deorphanize the orphan EORs and that may bring out the possible therapeutic effects of EORs.The most dynamic and significant future research should be the identification of ORs, their agonist or antagonist, and their functions. No doubt, mRNA expression level research can encourage the possibilities of ORs as therapeutic targets.