Citronellol

Citronellol (CAS No.: 106-22-9) is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid alcohol predominantly isolated from essential oils such as those of Pelargonium species, widely utilized as a biochemical standard and research tool in studies of cellular signaling, oxidative stress, and microbial physiology. In experimental systems, citronellol has been shown to modulate multiple signaling pathways, including ROS-NO, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt cascades, thereby influencing processes such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy. Mechanistically, it can promote necroptotic cell death in certain cancer cell models through activation of TNF-α-associated signaling and RIP1/RIP3 pathways, accompanied by increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and suppression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 activity, while in neuronal cell models it has been reported to attenuate oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis induced by neurotoxic stimuli. Additionally, citronellol demonstrates antifungal activity, partly attributed to interference with ergosterol biosynthesis, and has been used to investigate microbial membrane integrity and stress responses. It also modulates autophagic markers such as LC3 and p62, supporting its utility in studies of autophagy regulation and neuroinflammatory processes in animal models. In vitro effects are generally observed in the low micromolar to higher concentration ranges depending on cell type and assay conditions. Citronellol is commonly applied in cell-based assays, mechanistic pathway analyses, and preclinical model systems, with experimental concentrations or dosing regimens adjusted according to specific study designs and research objectives.