Beneficial Effects of the Melaleuca Alternifolia Essential Oil in the Treatment of Diabetic Ulcers.

Abstract

Currently, the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world population has obtained epidemic proportions, becoming one of the leading causes of death. One of the main complications of this disease are ulcers caused by neuropathy and diabetic vasculopathy. Diabetic ulcers can be prevented with proper follow‐up. However, pharmacological treatments for such pathology are usually expensive, lengthy, and inefficient. Ethereal oils or essential oils are a complex mixture, mainly of secondary metabolites of lipophilic and highly volatile plants, they are highly concentrated. Tea tree essential oil is obtained from the leaves and ailerons of Melaleuca alternifolia. Its main constituent is terpinen‐4‐ol. This compound is considered to be primarily responsible, together with other components, such as α‐terpinene, γ‐terpinene, and α‐terpineol, for the antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoic, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the oil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Melaleuca alternifolia oil on the healing of diabetic ulcers and the deterioration of muscle strength caused by them. Male Wistar rats (250 g) were used in four groups: wounded diabetic rats treated with melaleuca alternifolia, healthy wounded rats treated with melaleuca alternifolia, diabetic rats wounded without treatment, healthy rats wounded without treatment. The long extensor finger muscle (EDL) of one of the extremities and the biceps femoral muscle of the other limb were injured by simulating diabetic ulcers. These wounds were treated with essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia for 11 days. During the administration of the treatment, the injury and its closing progress were monitored, measuring their diameter. At the end of the procedure, the EDL muscle was removed for muscle tension tests. The results showed that diabetic wounded rats treated with Melaleuca and untreated closed simultaneously at eleven days. However, untreated wounded rats remained open until the ninth day, showing a diameter of 7 mm at the beginning of treatment and a diameter of 4 mm on the ninth day, while the rats injured with Melaleuca began to close after the third day, showing a diameter of 7 mm at the beginning of the treatment and a diameter of 4 mm on the third day and progressing until closing. On the other hand, the results of muscle tension showed that diabetic wounded rats treated with Melaleuca improved both maximum tension by 22% and total tension by 26% compared to the untreated injured diabetic group. In conclusion, it was observed that the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia has a significant beneficial effect on healing and cell proliferation, as well as muscle function.