trans-Nerolidol is a sesquiterpene that has been found in various plants, including C. sativa, and has diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and insecticidal properties. In a disc assay, trans-nerolidol inhibits the growth of S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, and S. cerevisiae with zones of inhibition measuring 10, 9, 10, and 4 mm, respectively. It reduces viability of CaCo-2 adenocarcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 28.7 mg/L and reduces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). trans-Nerolidol is insecticidal against A. aegypti larvae with a 24-hour LC50 value of 9 mg/L.
Reported to be found in cabreuva oil, oil of neroli, balsam Peru, ylang ylang and many others (Gildemeister & Hoffman, 1959).
Nerolidol (cas# 40716-66-3) is a terpene standard found in cannabis.
By isolation from a suitable essential oil or by chemical synthesis.
ChEBI: Nerolidol is a farnesane sesquiterpenoid that is dodeca-1,6,10-triene which carries methyl groups at positions 3, 7 and 11 and a hydroxy group at position 3. It is a natural product that is present in various flowers and plants with a floral odor. Chemically, it exists in two geometric isomers, trans and cis forms. It is widely used in cosmetics (e.g. shampoos and perfumes), in non-cosmetic products (e.g. detergents and cleansers) and also as a food flavoring agent. It has a role as a flavouring agent, a cosmetic, a pheromone, a neuroprotective agent, an antifungal agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antihypertensive agent, an antioxidant, a volatile oil component, an insect attractant and a herbicide. It is a farnesane sesquiterpenoid, a tertiary allylic alcohol and a volatile organic compound.
[1] LORENZO NISSEN . Characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of industrial hemp varieties (Cannabis sativa L.)[J]. Fitoterapia, 2010, 81 5: Pages 413-419. DOI:
10.1016/j.fitote.2009.11.010[2] H D SKALTSA. Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Scutellaria albida ssp. albida from Greece.[J]. Planta medica, 2000, 66 7: 672-674. DOI:
10.1055/s-2000-8650[3] MARTIN AMBRO. The Influence of Sesquiterpenes from Myrica rubra on the Antiproliferative and Pro-Oxidative Effects of Doxorubicin and Its Accumulation in Cancer Cells.[J]. Molecules, 2015, 20 8: 15343-15358. DOI:
10.3390/molecules200815343[4] J. CHANTRAINE. Insecticidal activity of essential oils on Aedes aegypti larvae[J]. Phytotherapy Research, 1998, 64 3. DOI:
10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199808)12:5<350::aid-ptr311>3.0.co;2-7