LAUSR

Abstract Geraniol is a common component of essential oils of various plant species and is widely used in cosmetics, perfumery and household products. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic, genotoxic and antioxidant activities of different concentrations of the monoterpenoid geraniol and its anti-cytotoxic and anti-genotoxic potential against the genotoxin N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in higher plant and human lymphocyte test-systems frequently used in genotoxicity studies. The cytogenetic analysis did not show any inhibition of cell viability for geraniol at concentrations 10–100 μg/ml in barley cells. Only low cytotoxicity was observed in human lymphocytes depending on the concentration. No high clastogenicity for human lymphocytes and low enhancement of the frequencies both of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei were detected in barley. Geraniol showed a good radical-scavenging capacity similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid and α- tocopherol. Geraniol applied at low nontoxic concentrations possessed a clearly expressed genoprotective potential and could inhibit the cytotoxic/genotoxic effects of MNNG reducing both the frequency of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei induced by the genotoxin. The anti-cytotoxic/anti-genotoxic effects were independent of the experimental schemes of treatment and the test-systems. The obtained results will be useful for further investigations concerning the pharmaceutical and medical application of the monoterpenoid geraniol.