Tea Tree Oil Research Articles

Fabrication and Biological Activities of All-in-One Composite Nanoemulsion Based on Blumea balsamifera Oil-Tea Tree Oil.

Nanoemulsion is a new multi-component drug delivery system; the selection of different oil phases can give it special physiological activity, and play the role of "medicine and pharmaceutical excipients all-in-one". In this paper, we used glycyrrhizic acid as the natural surfactant, and Blumea balsamifera oil (BB) and tea tree oil (TTO) as the mixed oil phase, to obtain a new green functional composite nanoemulsion. Using the average particle size and polydispersion index (PDI) as the evaluation criteria, the effects of the oil ratio, oil content, glycyrrhizic acid concentration, and ultrasonic time on the nanoemulsion were systematically investigated. The stability and physicochemical properties and biological activities of BB-TTO NEs prepared via the optimum formulation were characterized. The optimal prescription was BB: TTO = 1:1, 5% oil phase, 0.7% glycyrrhizic acid, and 5 min ultrasonication time. The mean particle size, PDI, and zeta potential were 160.01 nm, 0.125, and -50.94 mV, respectively. The nanoemulsion showed non-significant changes in stability after centrifugation, dilution, and 120 days storage. These nanoemulsions were found to exhibit potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BB-TTO NEs against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is 2975 μg/mL, 2975 μg/mL, and 5950 μg/mL, respectively. A lower level of inflammatory cell infiltration and proportion of fibrosis were found in the synovial tissue of AIA rats treated with BB-TTO NEs. These findings demonstrate that the BB-TTO NEs produced in this study have significant potential for usage in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory areas.

Deciphering the Broad Antimicrobial Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Tea Tree Oil by Combining Experimental and Computational Investigations.

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is an essential oil obtained from the distillation of Melaleuca alternifolia leaves and branches. Due to its beneficial properties, TTO is widely used as an active ingredient in antimicrobial preparations for topical use or in cosmetic products and contains about 100 different compounds, with terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene and 1,8-cineole (or eucalyptol) being the molecules most responsible for its biological activities. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of whole TTO and these three major components was evaluated in vitro against fungi, bacteria and viruses. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on a bacterial membrane model and a Coxsackievirus B4 viral capsid, to propose an atomistic explanation of their mechanism of action. The obtained results indicate that the strong antimicrobial activity of TTO is attributable to the induction of an altered membrane functionality, mediated by the incorporation of its components within the lipid bilayer, and to a possible ability of the compounds to bind and alter the structural properties of the viral capsid.

Effect of Chlorhexidine and Tea Tree Oil on Reducing the Number of Oral Microorganisms.

Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of using two preoperative mouthwashes (0.12% chlorhexidine and 0.2% tea tree oil) on the number of colonies of oral microorganisms. Forty participants who needed to be rehabilitated with dental implants were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups (chlorhexidine group and tea tree group; n = 20, each). For each group, saliva samples were collected at four different times: T0 (initially)-before using the mouthwash, T1-after 1 minute of using the mouthwash, T10-after 10 minutes of using the mouthwash, and T60-after 60 minutes of using the mouthwash. At T0 and T1, saliva samples were collected before implant placement surgery, and at T10 and T60, saliva samples were collected during surgery. In each group, one saliva sample was collected at each evaluated time point for each patient, totaling 4 saliva collections per patient. MSB agar (Mitis-Salivarius-Bacitracin) and BHI agar (Brain Heart Infusion) culture media were used in each group. Microbial colony counts were performed using a magnifying glass and recorded in CFU (colony forming units)/mL. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests (p < 0.05). Based on MSB agar culture medium, at T0, the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies in the chlorhexidine group was significantly higher compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; MSB agar). The chlorhexidine group showed significantly lower CFU/mL values for Streptococcus mutans at T1, T10, and T60 compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; MSB agar). Based on BHI agar culture medium, at T0, the chlorhexidine group showed a significantly lower value of CFU/mL compared with the tea tree group (p < 0.05; BHI agar). At T1, T10, and T60, the chlorhexidine group showed significantly lower CFU/mL values compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; BHI agar). Chlorhexidine is more indicated as a preoperative mouthwash than tea tree oil, due to its significantly more effective antimicrobial action.

Synthesis of Melaleuca alternifolia &Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil microcapsules using molecular inclusion technique

The co-precipitation method was used to create inclusion complexes between Melaleuca alternifolia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil and β-cyclodextrin with ratios of 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10 and 1:11(w/w). Research was done to evaluate the influence of ratio on the effectiveness of β-cyclodextrin's inclusion in entrappingoil volatiles. Microcapsules recovery, the surface and total extracted oils were all examined as part of complex's characterization. At a ratio of 1:11 between tea tree oil and β-cyclodextrin, the oil retention reached a maximum of 86.33% and highest oil encapsulation efficiency of 85.71% was achieved. In case of Cinnamon bark oil microcapsules, at ratio 1:11, total oil retention of 87.55% and oil encapsulation efficiency of 85.05% was achieved. Optical microscopy was also used to determine the structure of the microcapsules.

The impact of aromatherapy-based oral care on oral conditions, salivary pH, and halitosis in older adults with dementia: Pilot study

Inadequate oral care and poor oral health in older adults are known to increase the risk of dementia. Dementia patients residing in long-term care facilities are especially vulnerable to oral diseases due to their care-resistant behavior. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 7-day oral care program based on an aroma solution in 58 dementia patients (29 each in the experimental and control groups) admitted to a long-term care hospital in South Korea. The experimental group received oral care with a solution containing peppermint, tea tree, and lemon essential oils, and the control group with a saline solution. The effectiveness of oral care was assessed by the participants’ oral condition, salivary pH, and halitosis. The experimental group showed significant improvements (P<.001) in all three outcomes, indicating that oral care with an aroma solution can improve the oral health of older dementia patients residing in long-term care facilities.

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil Concentration in Microemulsion with Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity: An Overview

Abstract: The tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), a member of the Myrtaceae family, is a valuable medicinal and aromatic plant. Tea Tree essential oil (TTO) has many medical applications, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Although the concentration of TTO in a microemulsion is of economic interest, very few studies on this product have been conducted. In this study, we look at how different tea tree oil concentrations in microemulsion formulations affect susceptibility to various bacteria and fungi. TTO susceptibility in a diverse range of microbial species has now been studied using data from a previously published literature review survey. Most bacteria are resistant to TTO at concentrations as low as 1.0 percent, but mucosal skin staphylococci and micrococci, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have minimum inhibitory concentrations much higher than 2 percent. TTO susceptibility in fungi has only recently been scrutinized. Fungicidal dosages range from 0.12 to 2 percent, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.5 percent and the only notable exception is Aspergillus niger, which contains fungicidal concentrations of up to 8%. The review emphasizes the importance of new antibacterial and antifungal formulations, as well as the role of natural essential oils in the discovery of new antibacterial and antifungal agents, and discusses, in brief, all constituents derived from the essential oil (tea tree) that are in preclinical and clinical development. This paper summarizes human and food-borne bacteria and fungi susceptibility to tea tree essential oils and their constituents. Among the many tested, essential oils of spices and herbs (Melaleuca alternifolia) were found to have the strongest antimicrobial properties. This review looks at a wide range of scientific literature, including Sci-hub, Google Scholar, Pub, Chem, NCBI, and web books.

Tea tree and wintergreen essential oils in the management of the invasive species Cortaderia selloana and Nicotiana glauca

Tea tree and wintergreen essential oils in the management of the invasive species Cortaderia selloana and Nicotiana glauca

Effects of adding tea tree oil on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal function of broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding tea tree oil (TTO) in the basal diet on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal function in broilers. This study utilized 1,650 one-day-old broilers with good health and similar body weight. Subjects were randomized into 5 groups with 6 replicates each: the control group (CON, basal diet), positive control group (PCG, basal diet+100 mg/kg oregano oil in diet), low-dose TTO group (TTO-L, 50 mg/kg TTO added in the basal diet), medium-dose TTO group (TTO-M, 100 mg/kg TTO added in the basal diet), and high-dose TTO group (TTO-H, 200 mg/kg TTO added in the basal diet). The whole test period lasted 28 d. The results showed that the broilers fed with TTO supplemented diet had significantly higher body weight and average daily gain (ADG) (P=0.013), and had a lower feed conversion ratio (F/G) (P=0.010) throughout the trial period. The index of thymus in TTO-M increased significantly compared to CON (P=0.015) on d 28. On d 14 and 28, C3, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 levels in TTO-L serum were significantly increased (P < 0.001); the 3 test groups supplemented with TTO had significantly higher titers of avian influenza H9 subtype in their serum (P < 0.05). Tea tree oil supplement in the diet also had a positive and significant effect on the intestinal morphology of broilers throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that TTO has the ability to promote broiler growth, regulate immunity, and improve intestinal morphology. The proposed dosage of adding 50 mg/kg in broiler basal diets provides a theoretical basis for its subsequent use in livestock feeds.

Expeditious and Eco-friendly fabrication of Graphene-Ag nanocomposite for methyl paraben sensing

The synthesis of graphene-based nanocomposites using wet chemical techniques entails a number of time-consuming and laborious synthesis stages in addition to the use of potentially dangerous substances. The present article provides a novel approach to green and in-situ synthesis that employs no hazardous chemicals and synthesizes graphene and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) nanocomposite from the tea tree oil and silver nitrate (AgNO3) vapours. The synthesis happens in a matter of seconds in microwave plasma at ambient conditions. Images from the scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that graphene nanosheets act as the most favoured sites for the Ag NPs to anchor and form a nanocomposite. The investigations revealed a correlation between the concentration of AgNO3 in the precursor and the size and aggregation of Ag NPs. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated a negative shifting of the Ag-doublet, which suggested a strong interaction between Ag NPs and graphene. Additionally, the graphene-Ag nanocomposite drop-casted on screen-printed electrode demonstrated good electrochemical sensing capability for methyl paraben, with a superior linear range of 20 to 260 µM and a commendable limit of detection of 2.5 µM.

Development of a protoplast isolation system for functional gene expression and characterization using petals of Camellia Oleifera

Protoplasts preparation and purification have been frequently used in plant genetics and breeding studies, whereas application of protoplasts in woody plants is still in its infancy. Although transient gene expression using purified protoplasts is well-documented and widely used in model plants and agriculture crops, no instance of either stable transformation or transient gene expression in the woody plant Camellia Oleifera has as of yet been reported. Here, we developed a protoplast preparation and purification method using C. oleifera petals by optimizing osmotic condition with D-mannitol and polysaccharide-degrading enzyme concentrations for petal cell wall digestion, to reach a high efficiency of protoplast productivity and viability. The achieved protoplasts yield was approximately 1.42 × 107 cells per gram of petal material and the viability of protoplasts was up to 89%. In addition, we explored influencing factors of protoplast transformation, including concentrations of PEG4000 and plasmid DNA. The transformation efficiency of 81% could be reached under the optimized condition. This protoplast isolation and transient expression system were deployed to further identify the functional regulation of C. oleifera related genes and the subcellular distribution of their encoded products. In summary, the protoplast isolation and transient expression system we established using oil-tea tree petals is an efficient, versatile and time-saving system, being suitable for gene function characterization and molecular mechanism analysis.

Allergic contact dermatitis from essential oil in consumer products: Mode of uses and value of patch tests with an essential oil series. Results of a French study of the DAG (Dermato-Allergology group of the French Society of Dermatology).

To analyse the clinical characteristics and sensitivity of an essential oil patch test series (EOS) in patients sensitized to their own essential oils (EOs). We analysed the clinical data and patch test results obtained with the European baseline series (BSE) and an EOS, as well as the mode of use of EOs, through a questionnaire included in the patient file. The study included 42 patients (79% women, average age 50 years) with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), 8 patients required hospitalization. All patients were sensitized to the EO they used, primarily lavender (Lavandula augustifolia, 8000-28-0), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, 68647-73-4), ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora oil, 92201-50-8), and 2 cases were attributed to helichrysum (helichrysum italicum flower absolute, 90045-56-0). 71% had positive patch tests to fragrance mix I or II, 9 only to the EOS and 4 only with their personal EO. Interestingly, 40% of patients did not spontaneously mention the use of EOs, and only 33% received advice on their use at the time of purchase. Patch tests with the BSE, limonene and linalool HP, and oxidized tea tree oil is sufficient to detect most EO-sensitized patients. The most important is to test the patient's own used EOs.

The synergy of tea tree oil nano-emulsion and antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

We determined the synergistic effects of tea tree essential oil nano-emulsion (nanoTTO) and antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Then, the underlying mechanism of action of nanoTTO was investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentrations and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) were determined. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the expression of tight junction (TJ) protein of IPEC-J2 cells were measured to determine the in vitro efficacy of nanoTTO in combination with antibiotics. A mouse intestinal infection model evaluated the in vivo synergistic efficacy. Proteome, adhesion assays, quantitative real-time PCR, and scanning electron microscopy were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that nanoTTO was synergistic (FICI ≤ 0.5) or partial synergistic (0.5 < FICI < 1) with antibiotics against MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains. Moreover, combinations increased the TEER values and the TJ protein expression of IPEC-J2 cells infected with MDR Escherichia coli. The in vivo study showed that the combination of nanoTTO and amoxicillin improved the relative weight gain and maintained the structural integrity of intestinal barriers. Proteome showed that type 1 fimbriae d-mannose specific adhesin of E. coli was downregulated by nanoTTO. Then, nanoTTO reduced bacterial adhesion and invasion and inhibited the mRNA expression of fimC, fimG, and fliC, and disrupted bacterial membranes.

A Sustained-Release Nanosystem with MRSA Biofilm-Dispersing and -Eradicating Abilities Accelerates Diabetic Ulcer Healing.

Drug-resistant bacterial infections and biofilm formation play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic refractory wounds. Tea tree oil (TTO) exhibits antimicrobial, antimycotic, and antiviral activities, especially against common clinically resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), making it a potential natural antimicrobial for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. However, TTO is insoluble in water, volatile, light-sensitive, and cytotoxic. While previous macroscopic studies have focused on sterilization with TTO, none have sought to alter its structure or combine it with other materials to achieve sustained release. Electrospun TTO nanoliposomes (TTO-NLs), arranged linearly via high-pressure homogenization, could stabilize the structure and performance of TTO to achieve slow drug release. Herein, we established a composite nano-sustained release system, TTO-NL/polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (TTO-NL@PCS), using high-voltage electrospinning. Compared with the control, TTO-NL@PCS exhibits higher concentrations of the active TTO drug components, terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole. Owing to its increased stability and slow release, early exposure to TTO-NL@PCS increases the abundance of reactive oxygen species in vitro, ultimately causing the biofilm to disperse and completely killing MRSA without inducing cytotoxic effects to the host. Moreover, in BKS-Leprem2Cd479/Gpt mice with a whole-layer skin infection, untargeted metabolomics analysis of wound exudates reveals upregulated PGF2α/FP receptor signaling and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 expression following application of the composite system. The composite also ameliorates the chemotaxis disorder in early treatment and attenuates the wound inflammatory response during the repair stage of diabetic inflammatory wounds, and upregulates VEGF expression in the wound bed. TTO-NL@PCS demonstrates the remarkable potential for accelerating diabetic and MRSA-infected wound healing.

A Systematic Review: Formulation of Facial Wash Containing Essential Oil

Facial wash is a major need of the community because it is very helpful in removing dirt, dust, dead skin cells, oil, residual cosmetics and provides moisture to the skin. In general, the face wash used by the community is classified as a synthetic product that can damage the skin, one alternative to avoid this by using natural ingredients such as essential oils. Essential oils have many benefits, including as anti-acne, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted regarding the formulation of essential oils as a face wash that can be a reference in future research. The systematic review method was carried out by collecting data from various literature sources obtained from several research journals that have been published both nationally and internationally accredited reviewing face wash cosmetics containing essential oils. Based on the systematic review, it was found that there are several face wash formulations containing essential oils of patchouli oil, tea tree oil, jasmine oil, cinnamon oil, black cumin seed oil, basil oil, ylang-ylang oil, peppermint oil, turmeric oil, lemongrass oil, lavender oil, and tangerine oil.

The Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Perfumes by Using In Chemico and In Vitro Methods in Combination with GC-MS/MS Analysis.

Animal testing has been prohibited for the safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients or finished products. Thus, alternative non-animal methods, followed by confirmatory clinical studies on human volunteers, should be used as the sole legally acceptable approach within the EU. The safety assessment of cosmetic products requires the involvement of multiple scientific disciplines, including analytical chemistry and biomedicine, as well as in chemico, in vitro and in silico toxicology. Recent data suggest that fragrance components may exert multiple adverse biological effects, e.g. cytotoxicity, skin sensitisation, (photo)genotoxicity, mutagenicity, reprotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted with selected samples of fragrance-based products, such as deodorant, eau de toilette and eau de parfum, with the aim of integrating results from a number of alternative non-animal methods suitable for the detection of the following toxicological endpoints: cytotoxicity (with 3T3 Balb/c fibroblasts); skin sensitisation potential (in chemico method, DPRA); skin sensitisation potential (LuSens in vitro method, based on human keratinocytes); genotoxicity potential (in vitro Comet assay with 3T3 Balb/c cells); and endocrine disruption (in vitro YES/YAS assay). The presence of twenty-four specific known allergens in the products was determined by using GC-MS/MS. The strategies for estimation of the NOAEL of a mixture of allergens, which were proposed by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products in their 'Opinion on Tea tree oil' document and by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in their 'Risk Profile of Tea tree oil' report, were used as models for the NOAEL estimation of the mixtures of allergens that were identified in the individual samples tested in this study.

A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT OF TEA-TREE OIL AGAINST THE LARVAE OF &lt;i&gt;AEDES ALBOPICTUS&lt;/i&gt; (SKUSE)

This research looked at how well tea-tree oil was able to kill the larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse, the mosquito that spreads Chickenguniya and Dengue. Twenty Aedes albopictus Skuse instar larvae were subjected to tea-tree oil solutions containing 30 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm in both alcohol and ether. In an entomological testing facility, these were analyzed. Mortality in the larval stage was recorded at 8, 16, and 24 hours. Abbott's method was used to correct the number, and control groups were used to determine the mortality rate of larvae. Concentration-dependent values were measured.

Role of Essential Oil Used Pharmaceutical Cosmetic Product

When it comes to choosing which cosmetics to buy, consumers typically identify the smell as the factor that is most important to them. When uncovered, the fatty acids, oils, and surfactants that are frequently included in cosmetic formulations can all contribute to the production of odours that are unpleasant. Essential oils are used in a wide variety of cosmetic products because, in addition to the fragrant contributions they make, they serve as preservatives, active agents, and additions that are helpful to the skin. In addition, the growing demand for natural components has significantly contributed to the revival of interest in plant derivatives, particularly essential oils, in the industries of cosmetics and health. Popular cosmetic companies have been forced to promote natural fragrances and pick for minimally processed natural materials as a result of the potential health concerns related with artificial smell compounds, which are major components of cosmetics. As a result of this pressure, the cosmetic industry as a whole has moved towards natural fragrances. Some of the most highly regarded essential oils that are utilised in the creation of fragrances include citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and other flower oils. Some of the most highly prized scent components that are utilised in the creation of various cosmetics include linalool, geraniol, limonene, citronellol, and citral. In the fields of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals, essential oils have a wide variety of applications, including use as a source of natural fragrances. The purpose of this review was to shed light on those applications. Origins of essential oils, commercial viability of essential oils, chemical makeup of essential oils, fragrance classification, olfactory character of essential oils, authenticity, and safety will all receive the attention they deserve.

Development of Tea Tree Oil Based Nanoemulgel Loaded with Azithromycin for Enhancing the Antibacterial Activity

Azithromycin (AZ) is an azalide macrolide antibiotic that is frequently employed for treating bacterial skin infections. It suffers from limited oral bioavailability, which results from incomplete absorption or extensive first-pass metabolism. Therefore, preparing azithromycin formulations for topical administration is highly recommended to avoid first-pass metabolism and to boost the concentration of the drug on the skin. The objective of our investigation was to formulate and evaluate the efficacy of AZ-loaded nanoemulgel as an antimicrobial drug. The physical appearance, spreadability, viscosity, particle size, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation investigations, and antimicrobial efficiency of the prepared formulations were evaluated. The prepared formulation loaded with AZ exhibited good physical quality. AZ-loaded nanoemulgel had a greater ex vivo drug permeation across rabbit skin than other formulations (AZ-loaded gel and AZ-loaded emulgel), revealing improved drug permeation and greater transdermal flux in addition to enhanced antibacterial efficacy (p &lt; 0.05). Overall, our findings imply that tea-tree-oil-based nanoemulgel would be a promising delivery system for enhancing the antimicrobial efficiency of azithromycin.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Tea Tree Oil With No Sensitization to Fragrance Markers.

Dermatitis®Ahead of Print LettersAllergic Contact Dermatitis to Tea Tree Oil With No Sensitization to Fragrance MarkersQuentin Samaran, Julie Litovsky, Manon Girod, Olivier Dereure, and Nadia Raison-PeyronQuentin SamaranDepartment of Dermatology Montpellier University Hospital and Montpellier University Montpellier FranceSearch for more papers by this author, Julie LitovskyMontpellier University Hospital and Montpellier University Montpellier FranceSearch for more papers by this author, Manon GirodMontpellier University Hospital and Montpellier University Montpellier FranceSearch for more papers by this author, Olivier DereureMontpellier University Hospital and Montpellier University Montpellier FranceSearch for more papers by this author, and Nadia Raison-PeyronE-mail Address: n-raison@chu-montpellier.frDepartment of Dermatology Montpellier University Hospital and Montpellier University Montpellier FranceSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:15 Jun 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2023.0071AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View article"Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Tea Tree Oil With No Sensitization to Fragrance Markers." Dermatitis®, , pp. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 0Issue 0 Information© 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society. All Rights Reserved.To cite this article:Quentin Samaran, Julie Litovsky, Manon Girod, Olivier Dereure, and Nadia Raison-Peyron.Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Tea Tree Oil With No Sensitization to Fragrance Markers.Dermatitis®.ahead of printhttp://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2023.0071Online Ahead of Print:June 15, 2023PDF download

Core–shell nanofibers as carrier systems for sustained delivery of tea tree oil

Tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia) oil is a plant-derived essential oil with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In this study, tea tree oil, a volatile essential oil, was encapsulated into a polymeric matrix by emulsion electrospinning to prepare core–shell nanofibers and investigate composite nanofibrous membranes as potential delivery vehicles of the antimicrobial agent. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which is a biodegradable polymer used as a medical material, was combined with tea tree oil for pharmaceutical and medical applications. Composite PVA nanofibers with a well-aligned core–shell structure containing tea tree oil were obtained via electrospinning from an emulsion comprising the oil and an aqueous PVA solution. Thermal treatment was used to make the PVA-based nanofibrous membranes stable in moist environments. The effects of drying and thermal treatment on the release behavior of tea tree oil from the composite membranes were thoroughly investigated. The antimicrobial effects of tea tree oil embedded in nanofibrous membranes were assessed against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. Although the thermal treatment of the PVA nanofibers loaded with tea tree oil reduced the emission of volatile organic compounds, terpinen-4-ol, an active antibacterial component of the oil, was released continuously over 14 days. The composite membranes containing tea tree oil presented strong antibacterial effects against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, these bioactive nanofibrous membranes show promise as potential carrier systems for tea tree oil, which represses microbial growth, and may be used for topical skin infection treatment.