Carvone and perillaldehyde interfere with the serum-induced formation of filamentous structures in Candida albicans at substantially lower concentrations than those causing significant inhibition of growth.

Carvone and perillaldehyde were shown to inhibit the transformation of Candida albicans to a filamentous form at concentrations far lower and more biologically relevant than the concentrations necessary to inhibit growth. This morphological transformation is associated with C. albicans pathogenicity; hence these naturally occurring monoterpenes are potential lead compounds in the development of therapeutic agents against C. albicans infection.