Gentian Violet: What We Know and What Is Ahead of Us

Abstract

At present, the only active substance of Gentian Violet (GV) is methylrosaniline ñ a triphenylmethane dye of which amino group contains 2 methyl groups. GV can be used to treat uncomplicated bacterial and/or yeast infections, support antibiotic therapy of more severe infections, but also to protect medical equipment against colonization by microorganisms. In the light of recent studies, there are many new possibilities for GV application. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of viral infections, some chronic skin diseases and oncology. GV can induce apoptosis of tumor cells among others by elevating caspase 8, inhibiting NADPH oxidases, decreasing mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 or inhibiting STAT3/SOX2 axis. Preclinical and in vitro studies have also demonstrated GV efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer, melanoma tumors and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. There is no unambiguous evidence indicating the toxicity of GV, whereas its safety has been proven by its long history of use, its inclusion in numerous guidelines and its legal trade and distribution with no specific approval requested in many countries around the world. The article gathers the available knowledge about GV and its potential use in the future.

Crystal Violet-Impregnated Slippery Surface to Prevent Bacterial Contamination of Surfaces

“…After 3 h incubation in the dark, a reduction in the number of E. coli was 0.72 log on CVIS, compared to slippery surface (P-value <0.05) and the number reduction of S. aureus was 0.54 log after 2 h incubation in dark (P-value <0.01). Crystal violet has been extensively used to prevent viral, bacterial and fungal infections in medicine for over 100 years 39 . It has been known that crystal violet inhibits bacterial growth through an interaction between positive ion (CV + ) dissociated from crystal violet and bacterial membrane or DNA [39][40] .…”

“…CV has been extensively used to prevent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections in medicine for over 100 years . It is known that CV inhibits bacterial growth through an interaction between positive ion (CV + ) dissociated from CV and bacterial membrane or DNA. , Bactericidal activity of CVIS in dark indicates that CV maintains some intrinsic bactericidal activity after impregnation into the slippery surface. In white light, the reductions in the number of E.…”

“…39 It is known that CV inhibits bacterial growth through an interaction between positive ion (CV + ) dissociated from CV and bacterial membrane or DNA. 39,40 Bactericidal activity of CVIS in dark indicates that CV maintains some intrinsic bactericidal activity after impregnation into the slippery surface. In white light, the reductions in the number of E. coli and S. aureus reached to levels below the detection limit (∼10 3 CFU/mL) after 3 and 2 h incubations, respectively, indicating >3 log reduction in the number of bacteria (99.9% kill).…”