Geraniol, a component of plant essential oils, inhibits growth and polyamine biosynthesis in human colon cancer cells

• Published in: The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics Vol. 298; no. 1; p. 197
• Main Authors: Carnesecchi, S, Schneider, Y, Ceraline, J, Duranton, B, Gosse, F, Seiler, N, Raul, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-2001
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - physiology; Biogenic Polyamines - biosynthesis; Caco-2 Cells - drug effects; Caco-2 Cells - metabolism; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Division - physiology; Colonic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Humans; Ornithine Decarboxylase - biosynthesis; Ornithine Decarboxylase - drug effects; Plant Oils - pharmacology; Plant Oils - therapeutic use; Terpenes - pharmacology; Terpenes - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-3565

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 microM) 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.