Geraniol intake improves age-related malnutrition in mice

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpenoid that is abundant in many plants, including rose, lemongrass, and lavender. As geraniol has various beneficial functions, rose oil rich in geraniol is not only used for aromatherapy but also as a supplement to promote health benefits. However, the beneficial effects of geraniol on age-related pathologies are unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of geraniol intake on age-related pathologies.

We orally administered geraniol to aged mice (age: 24-29 months) five times a week for 4 weeks and sampled their blood and various organs. We investigated age-related changes in the blood and organ samples. Furthermore, we treated HepG2 cells with geraniol and examined the expression level of the ALB gene and the amount of secreted albumin in vitro.

Geraniol significantly increased blood albumin, total cholesterol, and red blood cell counts, indicating an improvement in nutritional markers in aged mice. Geraniol also transcriptionally increased the Alb gene expression in the liver of aged mice. Furthermore, treatment with geraniol significantly upregulated the ALB gene expression and the secretion of albumin in the conditioned medium of HepG2 cells.

Geraniol increases serum albumin levels at the transcriptional level. Geraniol intake can be an effective strategy for age-related malnutrition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1233-1240.