monolaurin

Monolaurin is a monoester formed from glycerol and lauric acid—a medium-chain saturated fatty acid found in coconut oil and human breast milk. It is also known as glycerol monolaurate or glyceryl laurate[3][5]. Monolaurin is used primarily as a dietary supplement to support immune function and maintain healthy intestinal flora. It has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro against bacteria (including antibiotic-resistant strains), fungi, and lipid-coated viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), influenza virus, HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), measles virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and others[3][4][5]. Its mechanism of action involves disruption of lipid bilayers in microbial membranes or viral envelopes—leading to cell lysis or viral inactivation[5][6]. Monolaurin may also modulate immune responses by stimulating T-cell proliferation via the phosphoinositide signal transduction pathway[6]. While it has Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use as a food additive/preservative by the FDA in the United States[3], there are no approved medical indications for its use; clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for treating infections or other conditions remains insufficient.

Brand names

Lauricidin

Other names

distilled monoglycerideglycerin monolauratelauric acid monoglyceridemonoglycéride distillémonolaurine