| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
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Description
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A dye that is a mixture of violet rosanilinis with antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties. [PubChem] |
| Indication |
For the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections inside the mouth (thrush) and skin, also for the prevention of transmission of Chagas' disease (as a blood additive). |
| Pharmacology |
Gentian violet is a mutagen, a mitotic poison, and a clastogen. Gentian violet has been used in medicine for almost 100 years: as an antiseptic for external use, as a topical antibiotic, as a topical antifungal agent, as an antihelminthic agent by oral administration, and more recently, as a blood additive to prevent transmission of Chagas' disease. It is thought to work by binding to the DNA of target organisms and causing disruption, mutation or inhibition of DNA replication. |
| Toxicity |
LD50=420 mg/kg (rat, oral). Oral administration can cause gastrointestinal irritation, and intravenous injection can cause depression in the white blood cell count. |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Yeast and other fungi |
| • |
Bacteria and protozoa |
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| Biotransformation |
Primarily hepatic, mostly demethylation |
| External Links |
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