The present study investigated the effect of four carvacrol ethers (propyl-, butyl, octyl- and benzyl) on the viability, level of dominant lethal mutations of Drosophila melanogaster and their influence on the multiplication of the nuclear genome in salivary gland cells. The fertility and viability of fruit flies were assessed after oral administration (0.05 % to culture medium) and inhalation exposure (5 mg per 1 cm of polyvinyl alcohol film) of compounds 1‒4 and initial carvacrol. The influence of terpenoid and its ethers on the degree of chromosomes polyteny in salivary gland cells of D. melanogaster larvae has been revealed. Among all tested compounds, carvacrol exhibited the most significant impact on frequency of dominant lethal mutations, fecundity and insect survival when inhaled or adding to the culture medium. Oral administration of ethers 1‒4 was found to decrease the average level of chromosome polyteny degree (366 C-500 C) while pure carvacrol adding to culture medium had the opposite effect (763 C) compared to control (695 C). The possible mechanism of action for carvacrol and its ethers is discussed.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Author