Geraniol and linalool anticandidal activity, genotoxic potential and embryotoxic effect on zebrafish.

AIM

Geraniol and linalool are major constituents of the essential oils of medicinal plants.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Antifungal activity of geraniol and linalool were evaluated against five Candida species. The genotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test, and the embryotoxic assays use zebrafish model.

RESULTS

Geraniol and linalool inhibited Candida growth, but geraniol was more effective. The geraniol at concentration of 800 μg/ml and the linalool at concentration of 125 μg/ml significantly increased chromosome damage. Geraniol was more toxic to zebrafish embryo than linalool: LC values were 31.3 and 193.3 μg/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Geraniol and linalool have anticandidal activity, but they also exert genotoxic and embryotoxic effects at the highest tested concentrations.