Content uploaded by Ufuk Koca
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Ufuk Koca on Feb 28, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Tea Tree Oil and Its Use in Aromatherapy
Abstract and Figures
Tea tree oil or TTO as it is widely known, is an essential oil with a pale yellow color and distinctive odor, obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, which is a native Australian plant. In vitro and in vivo research have shown that it has mainly, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal as well as anti-inflammatory properties. TTO is composed of terpene hydrocarbons, namely the main monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their associated alcohols. Three of its well-known compounds are 1.8-cineol, α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, the latter being the most active one. The ability of these components to disrupt the permeability of cytoplasmic membrane structures of bacteria makes TTO effective on methicillin-resistant bacteria and predominant especially in hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this review historical, and morphological information about M. alternifolia plant, chemical properties related to TTO and the mechanism of antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal actions will be explained, relying extensively on existing literature. Diverse mixtures made of fixed and essential oils relating to TTO that are used as a broad-spectrum antibacterial for some skin infections and acne; for some vaginal fungus infections; for throat infections; for aphthae and cold sore on the basis of the oil's antiviral effect; for skin and nail fungus on the basis of its antifungal property as well as TTO's use in aromatherapy and phytocosmetics will also be illustrated.
Figures - uploaded by Ufuk Koca
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Ufuk Koca
Content may be subject to copyright.
... The disruption of the membranes integrity by carvacrol, eugenol thymol and catechins has been observed to result in the release of cellular components and the ATP levels of cells (67). Additionally, terpinen-4-ol, 1,8-cineol, terpenes, alpha-terpineol and sesquiterpenes found in tea tree oil have the ability to alter membrane permeability, disrupt cell membranes, and inhibit cell development, leading to cell death in resistant organisms like S. Typhimurium (68). ...
The rise of multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms is a great hazard worldwide and has made it difficult to treat many infectious diseases adequately. One of the most prevalent causes of outbreaks of foodborne illness worldwide is Salmonella. The ability of this and other harmful bacteria to withstand antibiotics has recently proven crucial to their effective control. Since the beginning of time, herbal medicines and phytochemicals have been employed for their potent antibacterial action and there is a growing trend toward the production of plant based natural products for the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections. Numerous phytochemicals have been proven effective against the molecular determinants responsible for attaining drug resistance in pathogens like efflux pumps, membrane proteins, bacterial cell communications and biofilms. The medicinal plants having antibacterial activity and antibiotics combination with phytochemicals have shown synergetic activity against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The inhibitory effects of tannins on rumen proteolytic bacteria can be exploited in ruminant nutrition. Improved control of the rumen ecology and practical use of this feed additive technology in livestock production will be made possible by a better knowledge of the modulatory effects of phytochemicals on the rumen microbial populations in combination with fermentation. This review focuses on the development of antibacterial resistance in Salmonella, the mechanism of action of phytochemicals and the use of phytochemicals against S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The advances and potential future applications of phytochemicals in the fight against resistant are also discussed.
... These phytoconstituents are able to disrupt the membrane integrity of bacteria, and inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis. 10 Being a dental therapist student, I treat patients of different backgrounds, views, and medical statuses. I noticed that patients are frequently on multiple medications, have sensitivities and allergies to products. ...
... There are reports that carvacrol, thymol, as well as eugenol and catechins are reported for ATP depletion through membrane structure degradation leading to discharge of cellular components [76][77][78]. In addition, tea tree oil, consisting of monoterpenes, terpenes, sesquiterpenes, 1,8-cineol, alpha-terpineol, and terpinen-4-ol, is capable of interfering with the permeability of the membrane, destroying the cell membrane and obstructing cell development, causing cell death in resistant microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans [79]). ...
Drug resistance among microbial pathogens and oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species are two of the most challenging global issues. Firstly, drug-resistant pathogens cause several fatalities every year. Secondly aging and a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, are associated with free radical generated oxidative stress. The treatments currently available are limited, ineffective, or less efficient, so there is an immediate need to tackle these issues by looking for new therapies to resolve resistance and neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In the 21st century, the best way to save humans from them could be by using plants as well as their bioactive constituents. In this specific context, Jasminum is a major plant genus that is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The information in this review was gathered from a variety of sources, including books, websites, and databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In this review, a total of 14 species of Jasminum have been found to be efficient and effective against a wide variety of microbial pathogens. In addition, 14 species were found to be active free radical scavengers. The review is also focused on the disorders related to oxidative stress, and it was concluded that Jasminum grandiflorum and J. sambac normalized various parameters that were elevated by free radical generation. Alkaloids, flavonoids (rutoside), terpenes, phenols, and iridoid glucosides are among the main phytoconstituents found in various Jasminum species. Furthermore, this review also provides insight into the mechanistic basis of drug resistance, the generation of free radicals, and the role of Jasminum plants in combating resistance and neutralizing free radicals.
... It has been observed that thymol, carvacrol, catechins and eugenol disrupt the membrane structure and cause the discharge of cellular components, leading to depletion of cellular ATP [132][133][134][135]. Cinnamaldehyde also provokes a depletion of intracellular ATP by hampering ATPase-dependent metabolism, besides inhibiting glucose uptake and consumption [132][133][134][135]. Moreover, tea tree oil, composed of terpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and the alcohols 1,8-cineol, α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, has the capacity to disrupt membrane permeability, damage cell membrane and obstruct cell growth, causing cell death in resistant microbes, like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans [136]. ...
The unprecedented use of antibiotics that led to development of resistance affect human health worldwide. Prescription of antibiotics imprudently and irrationally in different diseases progressed with the acquisition and as such development of antibiotic resistant microbes that led to the resurgence of pathogenic strains harboring enhanced armors against existing therapeutics. Compromised the treatment regime of a broad range of antibiotics, rise in resistance has threatened human health and increased the treatment cost of diseases. Diverse on metabolic, genetic and physiological fronts, rapid progression of resistant microbes and the lack of a strategic management plan have led researchers to consider plant-derived substances (PDS) as alternative or in complementing antibiotics against the diseases. Considering the quantitative characteristics of plant constituents that attribute health beneficial effects, analytical procedures for their isolation, characterization and phytochemical testing for elucidating ethnopharmacological effects has being worked out for employment in the treatment of different diseases. With an immense potential to combat bacterial infections, PDSs such as polyphenols, alkaloids and tannins, present a great potential for use, either as antimicrobials or as antibiotic resistance modifiers. The present study focuses on the mechanisms by which PDSs help overcome the surge in resistance, approaches for screening different phytochemicals, methods employed in the identification of bioactive components and their testing and strategies that could be adopted for counteracting the lethal consequences of multidrug resistance.
Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree, is a shrub native to Australia, particularly New South Wales' northeast coast. Due to its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, Aborigines employ it in traditional medicine. Terpinen-4-ol in Melaleuca alternifolia has many antibacterial and antifungal properties. Non-toxic, biodegradable, and easily accessible, it is a useful therapeutic product. In traditional medicine, it treats skin infections, acne, vaginal fungus, throat infections, and cold sores. However, high tea tree oil popularity has raised worries about adulteration, driving the development of analytical tools to distinguish authentic from adulterated products. Skin mycoses are a growing danger, according to the WHO's Fungal Priority Pathogens List. Infections afflict 20-25% of the world's population. Antifungal drug resistance and immunocompromised patients are contributing to skin mycoses. Skin mycoses are a developing problem that requires increasing awareness, surveillance, and study. Several WHO and UN guidelines on health and the environment focus on environmental factors and illness burden. Fungal infections, which can harm humans and the environment, are rising due to climate change. Climate change increases endemic mycosis' global footprint, susceptibility to fungal infection, and selection for pathogenic characteristics. The risk of a fungus epidemic is rising. Also Compared to allopathic drugs, herbal treatments are safer, more effective, and cheaper. They're more accessible, culturally compatible, and synergistic. Additionally, herbal medications offer superior therapeutic outcomes and fewer side effects than allopathic treatments. Herbal skin treatments have several benefits. Their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing capabilities help treat complex skin and soft tissue infections. Modern pharmaceuticals are more expensive and have more negative effects than these natural cures for skin diseases. Due to its synergistic properties and long history of use, herbal remedies are a sensible and efficient treatment for different skin problems.
The leaves of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) plant are the major source of tea tree essential oil extracted via steam distillation. The use of this oil is quite common in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agrofood, and nonfood industries. The use of essential oils has upshot due to increased demand of natural alternatives to chemically synthesized pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The aromatic oil of tea tree contains more than 100 different phytochemicals majorly the monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their related alcohols. Terpinen-4-ol has been recognized as a major compound responsible for broad antimicrobial and antiinflammatory activities. Apart from its beneficial effects and natural origin, tea tree oil is subjected to safety concerns like allergic reactions upon topical applications and toxic effects when ingested. In this context, this chapter discusses various aspects of tea tree oil including its phytochemistry, extraction methods, applications, and safety concerns.
ABSTRAK Indonesia merupakan negara dengan kekayaan alam yang melimpah dan salah satu negara yang berpotensi sebagai penghasil minyak atsiri, dapat dilihat dari banyaknya tanaman. khususnya tanaman penghasil minyak atsiri di Indonesia. Bagian dari tanaman tersebut dapat dijadikan sebagai sumber minyak atsiri adalah bagian akar, batang, daun, bunga, buah, dan sebagainya. Essential Oils sebagai produk aromaterapi memiliki banyak manfaat, diantaranya sebagai terapi komplementer, untuk merekalsasikan tubuh, bahan tambahan makanan, kosmetik, dan pengharum. Essential Oils dan konstituennya yang mudah menguap dapat menembus kulit serta meningkatkan penetrasi obat yang berbeda dari formulasi topikal ke lapisan kulit bawah menggunakan mekanisme aksi yang berbeda berdasarkan disintegrasi struktur lipid antar sel yang sangat teratur antara korneosit di stratum korneum dan meningkatkan partisi obat. Setelah aplikasi ke kulit, Essential Oils dan komponennya dimetabolisme dengan cepat, tidak terakumulasi dalam organisme dan diekskresikan dengan cepat yang menunjukkan dapat berhasil digunakan sebagai peningkat penetrasi yang aman. Essential Oils dan konstituennya lebih disukai daripada bahan sintetis yang digunakan secara tradisional sebagai peningkat permeasi yang aman dan cocok untuk meningkatkan penyerapan perkutan obat hidrofilik dan lipofilik dari formulasi topikal ke lapisan kulit bawah. Review Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui manfaat Essential Oils Sebagai perawatan pada kulit sehingga dapat dikembangkan sebagai zat aktif pada produk kosmetik dan kesehatan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penyusunan artikel yaitu Study literatur dari berbagai jurnal Internasional yang diakses melalui situs Google Scholar, Pubmed, dan Science Direct. Hasil Review artikel ini menunjukkan bahwa Essential Oils bermanfaat sebagai Perawatan kulit. Essential Oils atau Minyak atsiri banyak digunakan dalam industri kosmetik, farmasi, obat-obatan dan makanan memiliki aktivitas antioksidan, anti-inflamasi, aktivitas antikanker, untuk penyembuhan luka, dan banyak peran biologis lainnya. Beberapa macam minyak Essensial yang dapat bermanfaat untuk perawatan kulit yaitu Zaitun Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Lemon Essensial Oil, dan Rose Essential Oil Kata Kunci : Essential Oils, Perawatan Kulit, Aromaterapi Peran Biologis, Essential oils for Skincare
In this study, the composition of the essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaves and the antifungal effects of the essential oil on food-borne molds isolated from meat products were investigated. The α-pinene (21.64 %), γ-terpinene (21.09 %), terpinen-4-ol (17.31 %), limonene (9.37 %), and o-cymene (6.54 %) were found to be the major components of M. alternifolia essential oil. The essential oil showed the highest antifungal activity on Aspergillus niger (25.82 mm zone diameter), followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (22.27 mm), Aspergillus flavus (21.092 mm), and Penicillium notatum (20.30 mm) (p<0.05), respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of M. alternifolia essential oil on the mold species used in the study varied between 0.032 and 0.376 mg/L, and the value of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 0.021 to 0.341 mg/L (p<0.05). The MIC/MFC ratio of M. alternifolia essential oil on 10 different mold species varies between 1.05 and 1.68 mg/L. According to the MIC/MFC ratio, the M. alternifolia essential oil showed a lethal effect on all of the mold species studied in this research.
Antimicrobial activity of commercial Tea Tree Oil (TTO) was tested against ten pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus agalactiae and also compared with the antibacterial effectiveness of commercially available Eucalyptus oil (ECO), Lemongrass oil (LGO) and conventional antibiotics those are using for these selected bacterial infection. Inhibition percentage of TTO, ECO and LGO against selected bacteria was compared using Broth dilution method. Agar well diffusion technique was done to compare antibacterial activity among three essential oils and also between TTO and conventional antibiotics. After 24 hours incubation, Tea Tree oil showed minimum 96.94% against E. coli and maximum 100% inhibition against seven bacteria out of ten selected for this study whereas Eucalyptus oil showed minimum 37.02% against E. coli and maximum 100% inhibition against S. aureus, P. vulgaris and A. hydrophila and the another essential oil that is Lemongrass oil exhibited minimum 69.08% against E.coli and maximum 100% inhibition against five bacteria out of ten. TTO showed noticeable ZOI (zone of inhibition) against all the tested bacteria in well diffusion method conversely ECO and LGO didn’t exhibit satisfactory results; more than five bacteria exhibited a very low degree of sensitivity moreover others were resistant to ECO and LGO. TTO exhibited observable ZOI against all the bacteria contrariwise, among nine antibiotics only two of them were showed a noticeable ZOI to all the bacteria tested. From above results, it’s been proven that TTO has remarkable antibacterial activity compared to ECO and LGO and, moreover, it is expected that TTO will gradually take place of conventional antibiotics to treat bacterial infection.
The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia (M. alternifolia) was evaluated in this report. The antioxidant potential of the essential oil from M. alternifolia was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay, and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity method. The essential oil from M. alternifolia was able to reduce DPPH with an EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) of 48.35 μ g/ml, inhibit the lipid peroxidation with an IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of 135.9 μ g/ml, and eliminate hydroxyl radicals with an EC50 of 43.71 μ g/ml. Antimicrobial screening, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration assays showed that the essential oil from M. alternifolia inhibited strongly the growth of different types of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Penicillium italicum Wehmer, and Penicillium digitatum Sacc . Thus, the essential oil of M. alternifolia possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and could be suitable for use as a natural preservative ingredient in food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries.
The discovery of antibiotics in the previous century lead to reduction in mortality and morbidity due to infectious diseases but their inappropriate and irrational use has resulted in emergence of resistant microbial populations. Alteration of target sites, active efflux of drugs and enzymatic degradations are the strategies employed by the pathogenic bacteria to develop intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. This has led to an increased interest in medicinal plants since 25-50% of current pharmaceuticals are plant derived. Crude extracts of medicinal plants could serve as an alternate source of resistance modifying agents owing to the wide variety of secondary metabolites. These metabolites (alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols etc.) could act as potentials for antimicrobials and resistance modifiers. Plant extracts have the ability to bind to protein domains leading to modification or inhibition protein-protein interactions. This enables the herbals to also present themselves as effective modulators of host related cellular processes viz immune response, mitosis, apoptosis and signal transduction. Thus they may exert their activity not only by killing the microorganism but by affecting key events in the pathogenic process, thereby, the bacteria, fungi and viruses may have a reduced ability to develop resistance to botanicals. The article is meant to stimulate research wherein the cidal activity of the extract is not the only parameter considered but other mechanism of action by which plants can combat drug resistant microbes are investigated. The present article emphasizes on mechanisms involved in countering multi drug resistance.
Recent clinical studies have demonstrated an impact of aromatherapy on the control of symptoms associated with human diseases not fully controlled by conventional therapy. Aromatherapy: Basic Mechanisms and Evidence Based Clinical Use provides an up-to-date compilation of background scientific information that advocates the application of currently developed clinical studies on the effects of aromatherapy to the treatment of human diseases such as mild, stress-induced mood disorders, infectious diseases, and age-related disturbances.
The book encompasses all aspects of successful clinical use of aromatherapy, including phytochemistry, technology, and clinical trials. It outlines a rational basis for clinical translation of aromatherapy for treating human diseases in need of safer therapies. It also describes evidence-based use of aromatherapy in controlling clinical manifestations of severe diseases for which conventional therapies often fail, such as managing agitation and aggression associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Containing a wealth of references and a thorough presentation of knowledge on essential oils and aromatherapy, this book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, clinicians, and policy makers in health care systems. It details the current clinical uses of aromatherapy while promoting further clinical development in areas where therapy is lacking.
Nowadays, use of alternative and complementary therapies with mainstream medicine has gained the momentum. Aromatherapy is one of the complementary therapies which use essential oils as the major therapeutic agents to treat several diseases. The essential or volatile oils are extracted from the flowers, barks, stem, leaves, roots, fruits and other parts of the plant by various methods. It came into existence after the scientists deciphered the antiseptic and skin permeability properties of essential oils. Inhalation, local application and baths are the major methods used in aromatherapy that utilize these oils to penetrate the human skin surface with marked aura. Once the oils are in the system, they remodulate themselves and work in a friendly manner at the site of malfunction or at the affected area. This type of therapy utilizes various permutation and combinations to get relief from numerous ailments like depression, indigestion, headache, insomnia, muscular pain, respiratory problems, skin ailments, swollen joints, urine associated complications etc. The essential oils are found to be more beneficial when other aspects of life and diet are given due consideration. This review explores the information available in the literature regarding therapeutic, medical, cosmetic, psychological, olfactory, massage aromatherapy, safety issues and different plants used in aromatherapy. All the available information was compiled from electronic databases such as Academic Journals, Ethnobotany, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and library search.
Tea tree oil is obtained from different Melaleuca species (Melaleuca quinquenervian, M. alterniolia, M. leucadendra) which accounts for 99% of commercial oil production. Melaleuca plant is indigenous to Australia. It is cultivated because of its great medicinal and economical properties. Oil is extracted mostly from leaves of Melaleuca plants by steam distillation. Melaleuca oil is mainly composed of terpene hydrocarbons including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their associated alcohols. Tea tree oil (TTO) is well known for its disinfectant, antiseptic as well as its antimicrobial properties. That's why it is found to be most effective in treatment of skin infections. This oil also possesses nutritional properties but produce toxicity if taken in large amounts. This paper gives an overview of scientific literature available on nutritional and pharmacological properties of Tea tree oil.
Australian tea tree oil (TTO) and its extract terpinen-4-ol (T4O) are found to be effective in moderating demodex-related diseases. Their possible effects are lowering the mite counts, relieving the demodex-related symptoms and modulating the immune system especially the inflammatory response. This review summarizes the topical treatments of TTO and T4O in human demodicosis, their possible mechanism of actions, side-effects and potential resistance in treating this condition. Although current treatments other than TTO and T4O are relatively effective in controlling the demodex mite population and the related symptoms, more research on the efficacy and drug delivery technology is needed in order to assess its potential as an alternative treatment with minimal side-effect profile, low toxicity and low risk of demodex resistance.
Tea tree oil (TTO) is the essential oil steam distilled from leaves of the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae), and has been used widely as a topical antiseptic in Australia for almost 80 years . Recent investigations have confirmed that tea tree oil exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity which can be principally attributed to its high content of terpinen-4-ol. Recent clinical trials have shown promise. In the last fifteen years tea tree oil, as a naturally occurring agent, has become increasingly more popular for a wide range of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In this review; the identity, sources, composition, pharmacological properties of tea tree oil have been summarized. Also, the general toxicology profile of tea tree oil was discussed.
Aromatherapy is one of the main complementary therapies to be practiced by nurses and other health care professionals in hospital, hospice, and community settings. Written by a nurse, this clinical text highlights how aromatherapy can enhance care and the role health care professionals play in its practice. It examines key facts and issues in aromatherapy practice, and applies these within a variety of contexts and conditions, taking a carefully holistic approach in dealing with the patient.