PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Carnesecchi, S.
AU  - Schneider, Y.
AU  - Ceraline, J.
AU  - Duranton, B.
AU  - Gosse, F.
AU  - Seiler, N.
AU  - Raul, F.
TI  - Geraniol, a Component of Plant Essential Oils, Inhibits Growth and Polyamine Biosynthesis in Human Colon Cancer Cells
DP  - 2001 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
PG  - 197--200
VI  - 298
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/298/1/197.short
4100  - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/298/1/197.full
SO  - J Pharmacol Exp Ther2001 Jul 01; 298
AB  - Geraniol and other monoterpenes found in essential oils of fruits and herbs have been suggested to represent a new class of agents for cancer chemoprevention. As a first step in clarifying the mode of action of geraniol on colon carcinogenesis, we studied its effects on the growth of a human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2). Geraniol (400 μM) caused a 70% inhibition of cell growth, with cells accumulating in the S transition phase of the cell cycle, and concomitant inhibition of DNA synthesis. No signs of cytotoxicity or apoptosis were detected. Geraniol caused a 50% decrease of ornithine decarboxylase activity, a key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, which is enhanced in cancer growth. This led to a 40% reduction of the intracellular pool of putrescine. Geraniol also activated the intracellular catabolism of polyamines, indicated by enhanced polyamine acetylation. These observations indicate that polyamine metabolism is presumably a target in the antiproliferative properties of geraniol. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics