Gentian Violet

**Semantic type:** Indicator, Reagent, or Diagnostic Aid|Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A blue, aniline-derived dye with antifungal and antimitotic properties. Gentian violet (GV) dissociates into positive (GV+) and negative ions (Cl-) that penetrate both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cells. The GV+ ions interact with negatively charged components of the bacterial cell wall including lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and DNA. This agent is also a mutagen and mitotic poison. GV elicits a photodynamic action mediated by a free-radical mechanism. Furthermore, this agent dissipates the action potential on prokaryotic or eukaryotic membranes by inducing permeability, thereby leading to respiratory inhibition and subsequent cell death.

**Synonyms:** - Basic Violet 3 - CI 42555 - Crystal Violet - GENTIAN VIOLET - Genapax - Hexamethyl-P-Rosaniline Chloride