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.