alpha-Terpineol

Terpineol possesses antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, it also exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria. α-Terpineol shows anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory activities, it inhibits the gene expression of the IL-6 receptor. The antifungal effects of citral, eugenol, nerolidol and alpha-Terpineol on Trichophyton mentagrophytes were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS:Citral over 0.1 mg/ml strongly inhibited the hyphal growth of T. mentagrophytes, and the antifungal activity of alpha-Terpineol was less effective. The morphological changes of the fungus exposed to the terpenes were observed by electron microscopy. The hyphae were distorted and collapsed at 0.2, 0.4 and 1 mg/ml of eugenol, nerolidol and alpha-Terpineol respectively, and cell membrane and organelles were irreversibly damaged at 0.2 mg/ml citral. CONCLUSIONS:These suggested that four terpenes possess antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes, and the activity might lead to irreversible cellular disruption.