Farnesol

Farnesol is a natural 15-carbon acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found in many aromatic plants and essential oils such as citronella, neroli, cyclamen, lemongrass, tuberose, rose, musk, balsam, and tolu[4][8]. It is hydrophobic and used primarily in perfumery to enhance sweet floral scents by acting as a co-solvent that regulates the volatility of odorants[4][8]. Farnesol also serves as a natural pesticide for mites and acts as a pheromone for several insects[5][8]. In nature and biology (notably in Candida albicans), it functions as a quorum-sensing molecule that inhibits filamentation[4]. Mechanistically in mammals and other organisms it has been shown to act on nuclear receptors and modulate voltage-gated calcium channels—specifically inhibiting N-type Ca2+ channels (and possibly L-type Ca2+ channels)—which may impact neurotransmitter release or smooth muscle function[6]. Farnesol can also modulate drug efflux mediated by ABC transporter proteins in fungi like C. albicans; this effect can synergize with antifungal drugs by promoting reactive oxygen species accumulation leading to apoptosis[3]. It has been investigated for potential anticancer properties but is not an approved pharmaceutical drug for any indication at this time[8].

Other names

3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatriene-1-ol