scholarly journals Essential oils and metal ions as alternative antimicrobial agents: a focus on tea tree oil and silver

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan-Li Low ◽  
Ken Kenward ◽  
Stephen T Britland ◽  
Mohd CIM Amin ◽  
Claire Martin
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 647-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Massa ◽  
S. Cantamessa ◽  
G. Novello ◽  
E. Ranzato ◽  
S. Martinotti ◽  
...  

Candida glabrata is an opportunistic pathogen, associated with endocarditis, meningitis, and disseminated disease, and also with complicated vaginitis. Essential oils derived from aromatic plants are known in traditional medicine as antimicrobial agents and have antifungal properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether 12 tested essential oils (tea tree, laurel, anise, basil, bergamot, lavender, mint, oregano, grapefruit, rosemary, winter savory, and ginger) could have a transverse effect on C. glabrata sensitive strains but above all on strains resistant to the three main azole antifungals used (clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole). For this reason, different strains of C. glabrata, vaginal isolated, were characterized (disk diffusion assay, minimal inhibitory concentration) with respect to their response to such antifungals. Electron microscopy analyses were performed to examine cellular damages in depth. Subsequently, we wanted to evaluate the effect of the oils on human cells to estimate their potential cytotoxicity. Oregano and winter savory were the two most effective essential oils, inducing growth inhibition, cell damage of C. glabrata strains (both sensitive and resistant to azole antifungal drugs), and medium–high level of toxicity against human keratinocytes. The results of this work support the research for new alternatives or complementary therapies against vaginal candidiasis.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 344
Author(s):  
Gabriele Meroni ◽  
Elena Cardin ◽  
Charlotte Rendina ◽  
Valentina Rafaela Herrera Millar ◽  
Joel Fernando Soares Filipe ◽  
...  

Essential oils (EOs) and honeybee products (e.g., honey and propolis) are natural mixtures of different volatile compounds that are frequently used in traditional medicine and for pathogen eradication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) EO (TTEO), Rosmarinus officinalis EO (ROEO), manuka-based gel, and propolis against 23 strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) isolated from canine pyoderma. Antimicrobial resistance screening was assessed using a panel of nine antimicrobial agents coupled with a PCR approach. An aromatogram was done for both EOs, using the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for all the compounds. Among the 23 SP strains, 14 (60.9%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR), 11 strains (47.8%) were methicillin-resistant (MRSP), and 9 (39.1%) were non-MDR. The mean diameter of the inhibition zone for Melaleuca and Rosmarinus were 24.5 ± 8.8 mm and 15.2 ± 8.9 mm, respectively, resulting as statistically different (p = 0.0006). MIC values of TTEO and ROEO were similar (7.6 ± 3.2% and 8.9 ± 2.1%, respectively) and no statistical significances were found. Honeybee products showed lower MIC compared to those of EOs, 0.22 ± 0.1% for Manuka and 0.8 ± 0.5% for propolis. These findings reveal a significant antibacterial effect for all the tested products.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 1192-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sladjana Malic ◽  
Rachael P. C. Jordan ◽  
Mark G. J. Waters ◽  
David J. Stickler ◽  
David W. Williams

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial effects of essential oils against bacteria associated with urinary catheter infection was assessed. Tests were performed on 14 different bacterial species cultured either planktonically or as biofilms. Biofilms were found to be up to 8-fold more tolerant of the test agents. Higher antimicrobial tolerance was also evident in tests conducted in artificial urine. Eugenol exhibited higher antimicrobial effects against both planktonic cells and biofilms than did terpinen, tea tree oil, and cineole.


2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly A. Wiltz ◽  
Daniel R. Suiter ◽  
Wayne A. Gardner

Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate deterrency and contact toxicity of six essential oils to the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. In choice tests, both Argentine ants and fire ants crossed barriers treated with multiple rates of basil, citronella, lemon, peppermint, or tea tree oil less frequently than paired control barriers. Eucalyptus oil did not prevent movement of either species at any of the rates tested. In continuous exposure assays, citronella oil killed 50% of Argentine ants in 34.3 min and was the only treatment to cause 100% Argentine ant mortality after 24 h. Argentine ant mortality after 24 h was 89.8% with peppermint oil and 85.7% with tea tree oil, with the remaining treatments having mortality not significantly different from the control. Only citronella oil caused significant mortality of red imported fire ants, with 50.6% of the ants being dead after 24 h of continuous exposure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-165
Author(s):  
Joanna Wróblewska ◽  
◽  
Jarosław Nuszkiewicz ◽  
Marcin Wróblewski ◽  
Alina Woźniak ◽  
...  

Infestation with Demodex spp. is an increasingly common dermatological and ophthalmic problem. Preparations for daily cleaning of eyes and the surrounding area (gels, soaked wipes) contain mainly tea tree oil or terpinen-4-ol. To date, the use of other essential oils supporting the fight against demodicosis is limited due to insufficient number of clinical trials. The aim of this review is to present the most commonly used medicinal plants and their active ingredients used in the treatment of infestation with Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, with particular emphasis on tea tree oil. PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases were searched for the selection of scientific literature. (JNNN 2020;9(4):160–165) Key Words: Demodex brevis, Demodex folliculorum, essential oil, parasitic disease, tea tree oil


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Elmi ◽  
Domenico Ventrella ◽  
Francesca Barone ◽  
Giacomo Carnevali ◽  
Gianfranco Filippini ◽  
...  

The growing interest towards essential oils stems from their biological capabilities that include antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Such properties may be extremely useful in the reproductive field; nonetheless essential oils show toxic effects that can lead to cell disruption. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of tea tree oil (TTO) and its principal component terpinen-4-ol (TER) on the morpho-functional parameters of swine spermatozoa. Experimental samples were prepared by suspending 15 × 107 spermatozoa in 5 mL of medium with different concentrations of the above-mentioned compounds: from 0.2 to 2 mg/mL at an interval of 0.2 for TTO, while TER concentrations were adjusted according to its presence in TTO (41.5%). After 3 h incubation at 16 °C, samples were analyzed for pH, viability, acrosome status, and objective motility. The results highlighted a concentration-dependent effect of TTO with total motility as the most sensitive parameter. TER was better tolerated, and the most sensitive parameters were related to membrane integrity, suggesting a different pattern of interaction. The study confirms the importance of evaluating the effects of natural compounds on spermatozoa before exploiting their beneficial effects. Spermatozoa seem to be good candidates for preliminary toxicological screenings in the light of their peculiar properties.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Stea ◽  
Alina Beraudi ◽  
Dalila De Pasquale

Aromatherapy is the controlled use of plant essences for therapeutic purposes. Its applications are numerous (i.e., wellbeing, labour, infections, dementia, and anxiety treatment) but often they have not been scientifically validated. The aim of the present study is to review the available literature to determine if there is evidence for effectiveness of aromatherapy in surgical patients to treat anxiety and insomnia, to control pain and nausea, and to dress wound. Efficacy studies of lavender or orange and peppermint essential oils, to treat anxiety and nausea, respectively, have shown positive results. For other aspects, such as pain control, essential oils therapy has shown uncertain results. Finally, there are encouraging data for the treatment of infections, especially for tea tree oil, although current results are still inconclusive. It should also be considered that although they are, allergic reactions and toxicity can occur after oral ingestion. Therefore, while rigorous studies are being carried out, it is important that the therapeutic use of essential oils be performed in compliance with clinical safety standards.


2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (7) ◽  
pp. 729-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Brady ◽  
T B Farnan ◽  
J G Toner ◽  
D F Gilpin ◽  
M M Tunney

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial treatment of an infected cochlear implant, undertaken in an attempt to salvage the infected device.Methods:We used the broth microdilution method to assess the susceptibility of meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolate, cultured from an infected cochlear implant, to common antimicrobial agents as well as to novel agents such as tea tree oil. To better simulate in vivo conditions, where bacteria grow as microcolonies encased in glycocalyx, the bactericidal activity of selected antimicrobial agents against the isolate growing in biofilm were also compared.Results:When grown planktonically, the S aureus isolate was susceptible to 17 of the 18 antimicrobials tested. However, when grown in biofilm, it was resistant to all conventional antimicrobials. In contrast, 5 per cent tea tree oil completely eradicated the biofilm following exposure for 1 hour.Conclusion:Treatment of infected cochlear implants with novel agents such as tea tree oil could significantly improve salvage outcome.


2007 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-114
Author(s):  
D. Markovic ◽  
B. Mirkovic ◽  
T. Jovanovic ◽  
A. Knezevic ◽  
T. Nastovski

Essential oils are widely used in medicine, dentistry and cosmetology as flavour and odour corrigents in various substances for oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to present comprehensively the possibilities for application of Melaleuca Alternifolia essential oil in dentistry based on the analysis of contemporary scientific and professional publications. The application of Tea tree essential oil in the treatment of periodontal, fungal and viral diseases is very efficient. The study of antimicrobial potential of ten different essential oils confirmed the efficiency of Tea tree oil against numerous Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. In vitro studies of bacteriostatic, bactericidal and fungicidal effect of Tea tree oil solution against ten different microorganisms confirmed sensitivity of the following microorganisms: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, and slightly weaker effect against Streptococcus Mutans and Prevotella intermedia. Tea tree is very effective in the treatment of various diseases and is an introduction and momentum for the application of plant substances in the treatment of numerous diseases in dentistry. .


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