EFFECTS OF GERANIOL, LINALOOL, AND CITRONELLAL ON VIRULENCE FACTORS OF CANDIDA SPP.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess cell viability and antifungal effects of Geraniol, Linalool, and Citronellal in Fibroblasts and Candida spp.

Methods: Three essential oils were assessed to find the Antifungal and cell viability properties. Human Gingival Fibroblast cells (1 x 105) were seeded in 24 well plates with DMEM medium + 10% FBS and incubated at 37°C in 5% CO2 for 24 hours. A Reductor of resazurin to resorufin was used to assess the cell viability. Candida spp. (C. albicans MYA-2876, C. glabrata CBS-138, C. tropicalis MYA-750, C. dubliniensis MYA-646) were evaluated when treated with 5 mg/mL diluting 10 folds to find the MIC/MFC of Geraniol, Linalool, and Citronellal.

Results: The cell viability has been established and confirms that Geraniol’s IC50 = 223.5 µM (log[IC50] = 2.349 µM), Linalool’s IC50 = 46.41 µM (log[IC50] = 1.667 µM), and Citronellal’s IC50 = 93.31 µM (log[IC50] = 1.970 µM). MIC/MFC for Geraniol: C. albicans (792 µM/>500µM) C. tropicalis (4484µM/>50mM) C. glabrata (767µM/>50µM) C. dubliniensis (77.83µm/50µM) for Linalool: C. albicans (5549µM/>500µM) C. tropicalis (1134µM/>50mM) C. glabrata (159µM/>50µM) C. dubliniensis (7516µM/>500µM) for Citronellal: C. albicans (>50mM/>50mM) C. tropicalis (>50mM/>50mM) C. glabrata (>50mM/>50mM) C. dubliniensis (>50mM/50mM)

Conclusion: Geraniol and Linalool both showed antifungal properties at sub cytotoxic doses whereas Citronellal did not. This was unexpected as Geraniol, Linalool, and Citronellal have similar molecular makeups.