Comparison of the effect of tea tree oil eye gel with standard treatment in patients with anterior blepharitis: An open-label clinical trial

Purpose: Daily cleansing of eyelids is very important to carry out a successful blepharitis treatment. However, there are no therapeutic guidelines for blepharitis. The aim was to compare the symptomatic relief of anterior blepharitis using Blephamed eye gel, a cosmetic product, versus standard treatment. Methods: The study was a prospective, interventional open label clinical trial at a university?based hospital. The test population was subjects aged 18–65 years who presented with mild to moderate anterior blepharitis. Eyelid hygiene was applied twice a day. At each visit, a detailed assessment of symptomatology was carried out. A two?way repeated measure mixed model ANOVA was used to compare two groups by time. Results: In total, 61 patients with mean age of 60.08 ± 16.69 years were enrolled in the study including 30 patients in standard group and 31 patients in Blephamed group. Two groups did not differ in terms of age (P = 0.31) and eye laterality (P = 0.50). The baseline scores of erythema, edema, debris, and symptoms as well as total score were similar between two groups (all P values >0.50). Two groups became different for all these parameters at day 45 (all P values <0.001). Significant interaction was detected between time and intervention groups for all severity parameters of blepharitis as well as total score (all P values <0.001). Conclusion: Eyelid hygiene with Blephamed more significantly decreased symptoms of anterior blepharitis compared to standard treatment.

Preferred practice patterns and review on rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory facial dermatosis commonly found in fair skin tone population. Recent studies have shown the increasing prevalence in the dark skin tone population as well. Ocular involvement is very common and can occur without cutaneous features. Common ocular features are chronic blepharoconjunctivitis with eyelid margin inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction. Corneal complications include corneal vascularization, ulceration, scarring, and rarely, perforation. Diagnosis is largely based on clinical signs, although it is often delayed in the absence of cutaneous changes, particularly in children. The management ranges from local therapy to systemic treatment, depending on the severity of the disease. There is a positive association between demodicosis and rosacea; however, causality is always argued. In this review, we describe the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment of rosacea and ocular rosacea.

Tea tree oil, a vibrant source of neuroprotection via neuroinflammation inhibition: a critical insight into repurposing Melaleuca alternifolia by unfolding its characteristics / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Over the past few decades, complementary and alternative treatments have become increasingly popular worldwide. The purported therapeutic characteristics of natural products have come under increased scrutiny both in vitro and in vivo as part of efforts to legitimize their usage. One such product is tea tree oil (TTO), a volatile essential oil primarily obtained from the native Australian plant, Melaleuca alternifolia, which has diverse traditional and industrial applications such as topical preparations for the treatment of skin infections. Its anti-inflammatory-linked immunomodulatory actions have also been reported. This systematic review focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of TTO and its main components that have shown strong immunomodulatory potential. An extensive literature search was performed electronically for data curation on worldwide accepted scientific databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and esteemed publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Frontiers, and Taylor & Francis. Considering that the majority of pharmacological studies were conducted on crude oils only, the extracted data were critically analyzed to gain further insight into the prospects of TTO being used as a neuroprotective agent by drug formulation or dietary supplement. In addition, the active constituents contributing to the activity of TTO have not been well justified, and the core mechanisms need to be unveiled especially for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects leading to neuroprotection. Therefore, this review attempts to correlate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of TTO with its neuroprotective mechanisms.

The repellent effect of tea tree oil emulsion on leeches / 药学学报

Leech bites usually lead to more bleeding, and dermal tissue is damaged to form lifelong scars. If leeches enter the body cavity, it will be more dangerous. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective repellents. In this study, oil in water (O/W) emulsion of tea tree oil was prepared with tea tree oil as the main ingredient, and konjac glucomannan (KGM), ethyl cellulose (EC) as the main excipients. The filter-paper ring method and repellent test in water were used to evaluate the repellent effects on leeches. The animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Academy of Military Medical Sciences and were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CarE) in vivo were measured to clarify the repellent mechanisms. The results showed that a uniform and stable tea tree oil emulsion was successfully prepared, which has excellent hydrophilicity and can effectively repel leeches. The tea tree oil emulsion has a good repellent effect on leeches, which can avoid the volatilization of tea tree oil and prolong the effective repelling time. The novel formulation of tea tree oil provides a new idea for repelling effects with long time and high efficiency based on similar essential oil.

Optimal pulse technology combined with tea tree essential oil paste in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of optimal pulse technology combined with tea tree essential oil paste in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.<p>METHODS: Prospective clinical study. Totally 283 patients(566 eyes)with Demodex blepharitis were selected and randomly divided into three groups. Group A(94 cases, 188 eyes)was treated with optimal pulse technology, group B(96 cases, 192 eyes)was treated with tea tree essential oil paste, and group C(93 cases, 186 eyes)was treated with optimal pulse technology combined with tea tree essential oil paste. After 6wk of treatment, the number of Demodex, subjective symptom score, clinical sign score, tear film rupture time and corneal fluorescein staining were analyzed.<p>RESULTS: There was no significant difference in Demodex count, symptom score, sign score, tear film rupture time and corneal fluorescein staining among the three groups before treatment(<i>P</i>>0.05). After treatment, the number of Demodex among the three groups were significantly reduced(<i>P</i><0.05), and there were significant differences among group C, group A and group B(<i>P</i><0.05). The scores of subjective symptoms and signs of the three groups were significantly improved after treatment(<i>P</i><0.05), and the improvement of group C was more significant than that of group A and group B(<i>P</i><0.05). After treatment, tear break-up time of the group B not significantly improved, tear break-up time that of group C was significantly longer than that of groups A and B(<i>P</i><0.05); Fluorescent staining scores of three groups before and after treatment were significantly improved(<i>P</i><0.05). The statistical results of group C were better than those of groups A and B, but there was no difference among the three groups. No obvious complications occurred in all patients.<p>CONCLUSION: The effect of optimal pulse technology combined with tea tree essential oil in the treatment of acariasis blepharitis is significant, which is significantly better than that of single optimal pulse technology therapy and single use of tea tree essential oil.

Evaluación de las características fisicoquímicas y de la actividad antimicrobiana del aceite del árbol de té contra Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) ATCC 6919 / Evaluation of tea tree oil physicochemical features and its antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) ATCC 6919

Resumen: Introducción. El aceite del árbol de té es un aceite esencial reconocido por sus propiedades antimicrobianas. Objetivos. Evaluar la composición, características y efecto antimicrobiano del aceite al 2 % del árbol de té y su concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) contra Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes). Materiales y métodos. Se evaluó el quimiotipo en tres lotes diferentes de este aceite mediante cromatografía de gases, así como su actividad antimicrobiana en concentración al 2 % v/v y la CIM contra C. acnes mediante ensayo de difusión en agar (guía M11-A8 CLSI). Resultados. Los lotes evaluados presentaron los quimiotipos ajustados a la norma ISO 4730, lo que indicó la alta calidad del producto. Los lotes contenían de 30 a 40 % de terpinen-4-ol, compuesto que favorece la actividad antimicrobiana, la cual presentó en todos los lotes un efecto dependiente de la concentración contra C. acnes, con una inhibición del crecimiento microbiano en concentración al 2 % v/v en todas las pruebas. La concentración inhibitoria mínima fue de 0,25 % v/v. La actividad antimicrobiana del aceite del árbol de té contra este microorganismo ya ha sido reportada con una concentración inhibitoria mínima entre 0,05 y 1,25 % v/v, rango que cobija la obtenida en este estudio. Conclusiones. Los resultados evidenciaron la gran calidad de este producto y su capacidad como agente antibacteriano contra C. acnes. Se deben hacer estudios con otros aislamientos del microorganismo provenientes de pacientes con acné vulgar para confirmar su actividad general y la de cada uno de sus componentes.

Abstract: Introduction: Tea tree oil is an essential oil recognized for its antimicrobial properties. Objective: To evaluate the composition, features, and antimicrobial effect at 2% v/v, and its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes). Materials and methods: Three different batches of tea tree oil were evaluated. We characterized its chemotype by gas chromatography and its 2% v/v antimicrobial activity against C. acnes by agar diffusion assay (guide M11-A8 CLSI). Results: The three batches of oil had the chemotypes required by the ISO 4730 standard, which indicates that it is a high-quality product. Additionally, they had 30% to 40% of terpinen-4-ol, a compound that favors its antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity against C. acnes for all batches had a concentration-dependent effect with microbial growth inhibitory activity in all assays at 2% v/v. The MIC obtained against C. acnes for all batches was 0.25% v/v. The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil against this microorganism has been previously reported with a MIC between 0.05% and 1.25% v/v, a range that covers the one obtained in this study. Conclusion: These results show the high quality of the oil and its capacity as an antibacterial agent against C. acnes. New studies should be conducted to confirm its activity and that of its components in isolates of the microorganism from patients with acne vulgaris.

Effect of tea tree oil eye patch combined with eyelid margin deep cleaning device in treating demodex blepharitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the clinical effect of tea tree oil eye patch combined with eyelid margin deep cleaning device in treating demodex blepharitis.<p>METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized and self-controlled study. Thirty-two patients(sixty-four eyes)diagnosed in demodex blepharitis were enrolled in the study. We randomly assigned one eye of the participants to the study group, which received tea tree oil eye patch once a day combined with monthly eyelid margin deep cleaning, and the other eye to the control group, which received tea tree oil eye patch therapy only. OSDI score of each subject, demodex mite counts, eyelid margin cleanness degree, eyelid margin abnormal score, non-invasive tear break-up time-first, tear meniscus height, redness, meibography score and Schirmer I test of each eye were evaluated before, and three months after the treatment. <p>RESULTS: Three months after treatment, demodex mite counts in both groups were significantly decreased(<i>P</i><0.05), the counts were lower in the study group(<i>P</i><0.05). Significant improvements were observed in the eyelid margin cleanness degree of the two groups(<i>P</i><0.05), and the degree was lower in the study group(<i>P</i><0.05). The OSDI score decreased significantly after treatment(<i>P</i><0.05). The NITBUT-first, redness and FL of the study group were significantly improved after treatment(<i>P</i><0.05), and the redness and FL of the control group were significantly improved after treatment(<i>P</i><0.05), NITBUT-first was longer after treatment but there was no statistical difference. The tear film parameters were no significant differences between the two groups. No significant changes were found in tear meniscus height, Schirmer I test and meibomian gland loss score after treatment. No obvious complications were observed in the study.<p>CONCLUSION: Tea tree oil eye patch therapy is effective in treating demodex blepharitis. With eyelid margin deep cleaning device combining, can further strengthen the efficacy of tea tree oil in eliminating mites and cylindrical cuffs, maintain the eyelid margin cleanness, and improve the abnormality of eyelid margin, which is a convenient,effective and safe treatment for demodex blepharitis.

Study on the inclusion technic of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in tea tree oil and evaluation of its included compounds / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective@#This study takes hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) as the inclusion materials to optimize the preparation technic of tea tree oil (TTO) and evaluate its pharmaceutical performance.@*Methods@#Take the production rate of HP-β-CD tea tree oil inclusion and entrapment rate as the evaluation index, taking the orthogonal test method to optimize the production technic of tea tree oil (HP-β-CD inclusion and using infrared (IR), differential thermal scanning (DSC) method to characterize the inclusion compound to analyze the stability of TTO-HP-β-CD.@*Results@#The best technic to produce HP-β-CD tea tree oil is as follow: the ratio of TTO and HP-β-CD should be equal to 1/10, at 40 ℃, within 1 h. The average drug loading shoud be 9.25% ± 3.25%. The IR, DSC characterization results showed that the characteristic peak of tea tree oil disappeared after the microspheres, which indicated the HP-β-CD encapsulated the tea tree oil with good compatibility. In 80 ℃ water bath, the TTO-HP-β-CD was stable with the retention rate 40% after 8 h, the retention rate was 4.32 times than that of the unwrapped tea tree oil.@*Conclusions@#The HP-β-CD tea tree oil obviously has higher rate of inclusion and stability. Therefore, it’s worth to promoting and being used in the pharmacy preparations and cosmetics field.

Efeito antibiofilme e citotoxicidade do hidróxido de cálcio associado ao óleo essencial de Melaleuca alternifolia / Antibiofilm effect and cytotoxicity of calcium hydroxide associated with the Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil

Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar os efeitos antimicrobiano e antibiofilme, e a citotoxicidade promovida pela associação do hidróxido de cálcio ao óleo essencial de Melaleuca alternifolia (MA), em diferentes concentrações, e ao propilenoglicol (PG). Métodos: As seguintes medicações compuseram os grupos experimentais: G1) HC/MA 1%; G2) HC/MA 5%; G3) HC/MA 10%; G4) HC/MA 20%; e G5) HC/PG. Solução salina 0,85% e meio DMEM serviram como controle nos testes antimicrobianos e de citotoxidade em fibroblastos do ligamento periodontal humano (FbLP), respectivamente. A atividade antimicrobiana (n = 12) foi avaliada por meio do teste de difusão em ágar. O efeito antibiofilme (n = 12) imediato das medicações foi avaliado por meio do teste de viabilidade bacteriana em biofilmes de 72 horas de E. faecalis, formados sobre discos de dentina e tratados por sete dias com as medicações. Após a coleta microbiológica do biofilme remanescente, os discos de dentina foram imersos em meio estéril e armazenados por mais sete dias, para a análise do efeito antibiofilme residual das medicações, quando nova coleta microbiológica foi realizada. A atividade metabólica de FbLP foi avaliada por meio do ensaio colorimétrico MTS (n = 9). Os valores médios dos halos de inibição, em mm, das unidades formadoras de colônia, e o percentual de atividade metabólica celular foram analisados pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e post hoc Dunn (α = 5%). Resultados:Todas as medicações experimentais apresentaram superior ação antimicrobiana e antibiofilme comparadas ao controle, solução salina (p < 0,05), e mantiveram viáveis os FbLP, semelhante ao controle DMEM (p > 0,05). Conclusão: A associação do óleo essencial de Melaleuca alternifolia, nas concentrações de 1%, 5%, 10% e 20%, ao hidróxido de cálcio promoveu excelente ação antimicrobiana, antibiofilme e biocompatibilidade com fibroblastos, de forma semelhante à associação com propilenoglicol.

Aim:To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect, as well as the cytotoxicity of calcium hydroxide (CH) associated with the Melaleuca alternifolia (MA)essential oil, in different concentrations, and with propylene glycol. Methods: The following medications composed the experimental groups: G1) CH/MA 1%; G2) CH/MA 5%; G3) CH/MA 10%; G4) CH/MA 20%; and G5) CH/PG. Saline solution and culture medium DMEM were used as a control in antimicrobial and cytotoxicity tests in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF), respectively. The antimicrobial activity (n = 12) was evaluated by the disk-diffusion agar method. The immediate antibiofilm effect (n = 12) of the medications was evaluated for bacterial viability in 72 hours-biofilms of E. faecalis, formed on the dentin disc surface and treated for seven days with medications. After microbiological sampling of the remaining biofilm, the dentin discs were immersed in sterile culture medium and stored for another seven days, for analysis of the residual antibiofilm effect of the medications, when a new microbiological sampling was performed. PDLF viability was evaluated by MTS colorimetric assay (n = 9). The mean values of the inhibition halos, in mm, the colony forming units, and the metabolic cell activity percentage were analyzed by means of Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Dunn (α = 5%) tests. Results:All of the experimental medications presented higher antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects, when compared to the saline solution control (p < 0.05), and maintained the PDLF feasible, similar to the DMEM control (p > 0.05). Conclusions:The association of the Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, at concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20%, with calcium hydroxide promoted an excellent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, and biocompatibility with fibroblasts, similarly to the association with propylene glycol.

A prototype of a low-cost eyelid cleaning foaming solution for symptom management in patients with chronic blepharitis: An I-optimal mixture experimental design / Un prototipo de solución espumante de bajo costo para la limpieza de párpados y el manejo de síntomas en pacientes con blefaritis crónica: un diseño de mezcla I-óptimo

SUMMARY Blepharitis is a common chronic eye condition that causes eyelid inflammation, leading to inflamed, irritated, sticky and itchy eyelids and flaking of the skin. For its treatment, patients often need indefinite use of an eyelid cleaning solution which usually cost more than 20 USD per 80 ml bottle and lasts, on average, one month. For those patients unable to afford the treatment, physicians recommend the use of a do it yourself (DIY) solution. However, the efficacy of DIY eyelid solutions might fluctuate according to the type of blepharitis present in the patient and inadequate pH stabilization of the solution might promote additional itchiness, irritation, and dryness of the skin and eyes. Thus, we propose an optimized DIY solution prototype for symptom management in patients with chronic blepharitis. The formulation contains a significant ratio of tea tree oil and resulted in suitable pH and foam expansion values. The low cost and ease of preparation of the designed formulation make it an affordable, effective alternative in the treatment of chronic blepharitis.

RESUMEN La blefaritis crónica es una condición ocular que causa inflamación en los párpados, dando como resultado párpados irritados, pegadizos y descamación de la piel. Pacientes con esta condición necesitan usualmente de la aplicación de una solución de limpieza de párpados que cuesta en promedio 20 USD por cada 80 ml de solución y tiene un rendimiento de un mes. Para aquellos pacientes incapaces de costear el tratamiento, los médicos recomiendan el uso de soluciones hazlo tú mismo (DIY en inglés). Sin embargo, la eficacia de estas en el tratamiento de la condición puede fluctuar de acuerdo con el tipo de blefaritis presente. Adicionalmente, una inadecuada estabilización del pH de la solución puede promover una mayor irritación, resequedad y picazón en la piel y en los ojos. Por lo tanto, en este trabajo proponemos un prototipo experimental de solución DIY para el manejo sintomático de pacientes con blefaritis crónica. La formulación contiene una proporción significativa de aceite de árbol de té y posee un pH adecuado y alta producción de espuma para su correcta aplicación en la piel. El bajo costo y facilidad de preparación hacen de ella una alternativa efectiva y asequible en el tratamiento de la blefaritis crónica.

Evaluation of Anti Candida Effect of Melaleuca alternifolia on Heat Cured Acrylic Resin

Objectives: To evaluate the anti-candida properties of tea tree oil as an additive to heat cured acrylic resin. Materials and methods: Total 24 heat cured samples were prepared without the addition of oil (control), and 24 with additives (20% of pure natural tea tree oil). These disks were inoculated with 0.1 mL of Candida albicans standard inoculum and were rinsed with 0.9% NaCl to remove the loosely attached cells from the surface of the discs. Sabouraud’s dextrose agar plate was used for measuring the attached yeast. The control and treated disks have been placed in distilled water for 1 day, 21 days and 42 days and washed daily with wet cotton. Results: CFU the mean colony forming units for control disks were placed in water and cleaned with wet cotton for 1 day, 21 days and 42 days was 1.5000, 5.0000, 1.0000, respectively and CFU for disks with tea tree oil decreased to 0.8750, 1.6250 and 0.3750 after 1 day, 21 days and 42 days. Tea tree oil incorporated specimens were effective in reducing the growth of C. albicans after storage for 42 days in distilled water. Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in the growth of C. albicans after the addition of oil to heat cured acrylic resin which suggests a new oral topical treatment for denture stomatitis.

Tea tree oil cleaning wipes combined with Tobramycin and Dexamethasone ointment in the treatment of demodexblepharitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To discuss the clinical efficacy of tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with OCuSOFT tea tree oil cleaning wipes in the treatment demodex blepharitis.<p>METHODS: Prospective clinical study. Totally 72 patients with demodex blepharitis were selected. They were randomly divided into three groups. The experimental group was treated with tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with OCuSOFT tea tree oil cleaning wipes. After 30d of treatment, the symptom score, the number of eyelash mites and the score of clinical signs were observed under slit lamp. The data before and after treatment were compared by paired sample <i>t</i>-test and analysis of variance.<p>RESULTS: There was significant difference in demodex count among the three groups before and after treatment(<i>P</i><0.01). The difference of total symptom score was statistically significant(<i>F</i>=20.05, <i>P</i><0.01). The difference of total score of physical signs was statistically significant(<i>F</i>=8.10, <i>P</i><0.01).<p>CONCLUSION: Tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with OCuSOFT tea tree oil cleaning wipes is effective in the treatment of demodex blepharitis. Tea tree oil cleaning wipes are portable,easy to preserve and not easy to deteriorate.

Preparation of tea tree oil gel and its pharmacodynamic study and irritation evaluation / 中草药

Objective To study the prescription and preparation technology of tea tree oil gel, and evaluate its anti-inflammatory efficacy, antibacterial effect and the irritation. Methods The tea tree oil gel was prepared using the carbomer-940 as gel matrix, Cremophor RH-40 and 1,2-propylene glycol as solvents. The appearance characters, pH value, viscosity, moisture retention, drug content, and the stability were observed. The anti-inflammatory efficacy, the antibacterial effect and the irritation of tea tree oil gel were evaluated. Results The prescription of tea tree oil gel was selected as following tea tree oil (1.0%), Cremophor RH-40 (5.0%), 1,2-propylene glycol (5.0%), Carbomer-940 (0.6%), glycerol (8.0%), with distilled water 100 g, adjusting pH to 5.0 by triethanolamine. The gel exhibited transparent, well uniformity, appropriate viscosity and fine coating expansion performance, with pH value of 5.52 ± 0.03, viscosity at (48 782 ± 25) mPa•s, the moisture retaining rate of (93.32 ± 0.38)% for 24 h test, containing tea tree oil of (9.55 ± 0.10) mg/g. The inhibition rate of tea tree oil gel on the mouse auricle swelling was 46.15%, which was significantly different as compared to the negative control group (P < 0.01). The diameters of inhibition zone of the gel against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively was (15.50 ± 0.96), (15.25 ± 2.36), and (15.75 ± 1.91) mm. The half hemolysis rate (LC50) and the hemoglobin degeneration index (DI) respectively were 456 157 mg/L and 157.98%. The tea tree oil gel had no eye irritation in rabbits based on the value of LC50/DI 2 887.44. Fourteen consecutive’days administration indicated that the tea tree oil gel had no skin irritation in rabbits. The illumination score of irritative reaction to the rabbit skin was 0.125 after a single administration, while that was 0.036 after successive administration experiment. The results of high speed centrifugalization cold- resistance and heat-resistance tests showed that the preparation exhibited good stability, which needed to be kept tightly in a cool place and protected from light. Conclusion The formulation design was reasonable, while the preparation technology was simple, corresponding to the main index of the gel for topical application, with good anti-inflammatory efficacy, antibacterial effect and safety, which offered the basis for further research and development of tea tree oil.

Antibacterial Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree essential oil) on Bacteria of the Dental Biofilm

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of tea tree EO on Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), S. salivarius (ATCC 7073) and Lactobacillus rhaminosus (ATCC 9595). Material and Methods: The antibacterial activity of M. alternifolia EO was evaluated by the broth dilution method, by which minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were determined. Serial dilutions range from 70243.90 µg/mL to 26.14 µg/mL. The MIC evaluation was performed in 96-well microplates, in which 100 µL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI), 100 µL of the EO dilution and 5 µL of the inoculum (final concentration = 5x105 CFU/mL) were inserted. After 24 h of incubation, MIC was determined as the lowest concentration capable of inhibiting microbial growth, identified by the resazurin reaction (100 µg/mL). CBM was identified by the absence of subculture growths (50 µL) of dilutions equal to or greater than MIC. Tests were performed in triplicate and at three different times (n = 9). Pharmacological controls (0.05% and 0.12% Chlorhexidine), growth and sterility were used to validate the results. Results: The MIC of M. alternifolia compared to S. mutans, S. salivarius and L. rhaminosus was 1940.16 µg/mL, 3977.34 µg/mL and 3977.34 µg/mL, respectively. The MBC values were 70243.90 µg/mL, 3977.34 µg/mL and 34265.31 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The essential oil of M. alternifolia presented antibacterial activity against the microorganisms evaluated when in high concentration.

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) - An Efficient Treatment for Warts: Two Case Reports

Traditional herbal medicines are a valuable natural resource for preventing and treating diseases, including some infectious diseases. Tea tree oil (TTO) has been used over many years as a traditional treatment for a variety of skin disorders. The oil of the tea tree was used twice daily on two patients to treat their skin warts on different anatomical locations. The wart on the first patient needed 10 days to be totally removed, while it took 20 days in the second patient due to poor medication compliance. This paper sheds light on TTO as an efficient and safe treatment for common warts.

Nanopartículas lipídicas a base de propóleos como transportadores de activos de interés cosmético: Desarrollo, caracterización y evaluación de seguridad / Propolis based lipid nanoparticles as carriers of cosmetic actives: Development, characterization and safety evaluation

En el ámbito cosmético, la tecnología a escala nanométrica resulta atractiva para el diseño de productos novedosos y funcionales. Así, para el caso de las nanopartículas lipídicas, se ha demostrado su capacidad para incrementar la estabilidad de moléculas activas y modificar su liberación. Como un aporte en la búsqueda de alternativas innovadoras para la preparación de este tipo de transportadores (carriers), el presente trabajo propone el aprovechamiento de las ceras provenientes de propóleos para la preparación de partículas lipídicas conteniendo extracto del árbol de té. Las partículas obtenidas presentan tamaños cercanos a 200 nm con polidispersidades inferiores a 0,1. Los valores de potencial zeta cercanos a cero sugieren un mecanismo de estabilización del sistema particulado vía efecto estérico. De otro lado, la incorporación del activo dentro de la estructura de las partículas es confirmada por DSC. En conjunto, los resultados evidencian la posibilidad de generar valor agregado a un producto de la colmena reconocido y valorado por sus propiedades biológicas. Además, ofrecen un material de partida que constituye una alternativa interesante para el desarrollo de productos cosméticos novedosos en los que podrían incorporarse moléculas activas.

In the cosmetic field, the technology at the nanometric scale is attractive for designing novel and functional products. In the case of lipid nanoparticles, the ability of these carriers for increasing the stability of active molecules and modifying their release has been demonstrated. As a contribution in the research of innovative alternatives for preparing these particles, this work proposes the use of the propolis waxes as starting material. In this way, lipid nanoparticles containing tea tree oil were prepared having particle sizes close to 200 nm with polydispersity indexes less than 0.1. The zeta potential values near to zero suggest the stabilization of the lipid nanoparticles via steric mechanisms. The incorporation of the active into the nanoparticle structure is confirmed by DSC. As a whole, the results are appealing in order to give added value to beehive product, recognized in Latin America for its biological properties. Furthermore, these results offer a new alternative of lipid material which is interesting for developing pioneering cosmetic products containing active molecules.

Antibacterial Effect of Tea Tree Ingredient for Denture Cleaners / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of tea tree oil in denture cleaners. A self-curing denture resin was used to make the experimental specimen (12 mm×2 mm). A saline solution was used as the control. To observe surface changes after cleaning, the microhardness and color of the experimental specimen's surface were analyzed. For the antibacterial activity test, Candida albicans was used. The microhardness and color of the surface remained unchanged after cleaning. The result of the antibacterial activity test revealed that the tea tree oil-containing solutions had a more enhanced antibacterial effect than did the saline solution. Therefore, these results suggest that the tea tree oil-containing solution is a promising denture cleaners.

Antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca sp. oil against clinical isolates of antibiotics resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PURPOSE: To extract the Melaleuca sp. oil and to assess its in vitro inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from lower limb wounds and resistant to several antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 14 test-tubes containing Mueller-Hinton broth were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The following concentrations of the Melaleuca sp. oil were added to the first 11 tubes: 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05; 0.025; 0,0125 and 0.00625%. The 12th and 13th tubes, with and without oil, were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The experimental study was carried out in triplicate at 37ºC for 18 hours. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), able of killing all the microorganisms, was also determined. Two S. aureus isolates were obtained from lower limb wounds of female patients and the identification of the microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus) and the test for susceptibility to the antimicrobial agents were carried out by automation using the apparatus MicroScan(r). After identification, the isolates were preserved in liquid Trypticase Soy medium, and inoculated for determination of the MIC and MBC. RESULTS: The MIC was 0.2% and the MBC was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The Melaleuca sp. oil showed antimicrobial properties in vitro against strains isolated from lower limb wounds which were resistant to multiple antibiotics. .

Preparation and quality evaluation of tea tree oil microemulsion gel / 中草药

Objective: To study the prescription and preparation technology of tea tree oil (TTO) microemulsion gel. The quality and the stability were evaluated. Methods: The prescription and preparation technology were selected and optimized through the compatibility test and the pseudo-ternary phase diagram. TTO microemulsion gel was prepared by adding gelatin. The appearance, pH value, viscosity, moisture rate, and the drug concentration were evaluated. Results: The prescription composition of TTO microemulsion gel was TTO (0.6%), Cremophor RH-40 (1.2%), PEG 400 (0.2%), carbopol-980 (0.2%), glycerol (2%), with distilled water adding to 50 g. The optimum formulation exhibited clear and transparent, uniform exquisite, moderate viscosity, and well spreadable, with the particle diameter of (38.38 ± 2.30) nm, zeta potential of (-56.00 ± 5.82) mV, pH value of 5.52 ± 0.01, viscosity of (48 834 ± 5) Pa·s, moisture rate of (96.74 ± 0.52)%, and the drug-loaded of (5.79 ± 0.03) mg/g. The result of heat and cold resistance test showed that the preparation was needed to be stored at low-temperature. Conclusion: The preparation of TTO microemulsion gel is simple, corresponding to the main index of gelata for topical drug delivery preparation and offering the basis for further research and development.

Advances in studies of tea tree oil as a natural antimicrobial agent / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent progress in studies on tea tree oil, thus to promote the development of tea tree oil as a natural antimicrobial agent. METHODS: Studies on the oil extraction process, composition, antimicrobial activity, resistance, clinical efficacy, and untoward reactions of tea tree oil were summarized. RESULTS: Tea tree oil is stable in quality and has wide antimicrobial spectrum, high efficacy, low toxicity, and numerous clinical applications. CONCLUSION: Tea tree oil is a promising natural antimicrobial agent.