Cadinenes are a group of isomeric hydrocarbons that occur in a wide variety of essential oil-producing plants. The name is derived from that of the Cade juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), the wood of which yields an oil from which cadinene isomers were first isolated. Chemically, the cadinenes are bicyclic sesquiterpenes. Because of the large number of known double-bond and stereochemical isomers, this class of compounds has been subdivided into four subclasses based on the relative stereochemistry at the isopropyl group and the two bridgehead carbon atoms. In gamma-cadinene the isopropyl group is cis to the hydrogen at the adjacent bridgehead carbon.

Uses and applications of this compound have not been widely established, due to limeted research. However, sesquiterpenes in general have shown potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

(-)-gamma-cadinene