In vitro effects of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on growth and production of volatile sulphur compounds by oral bacteria

Abstract

Objective Halitosis can be caused by microorganisms that produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), which colonize the surface of the tongue and subgingival sites. Studies have reported that the use of natural products can reduce the bacterial load and, consequently, the development of halitosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia on the growth and volatile sulphur compound (VSC) production of oral bacteria compared with chlorhexidine.Material and Methods The effects of these substances were evaluated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) in planktonic cultures of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas endodontalis. In addition, gas chromatography analyses were performed to measure the concentration of VSCs from bacterial cultures and to characterize M. alternifolia oil components.Results The MIC and MBC values were as follows: M. alternifolia - P. gingivalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%), P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=0.007%=0.5%); chlorhexidine - P. gingivalis and P. endodontalis (MIC and MBC=1.5 mg/mL). M. alternifolia significantly reduced the growth and production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by P. gingivalis (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet) and the H2S and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) levels of P. endodontalis (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet). Chlorhexidine reduced the growth of both microorganisms without altering the production of VSC in P. endodontalis. For P. gingivalis, the production of H2S and CH3SH decreased (p<0.05, ANOVA-Dunnet).Conclusion M. alternifolia can reduce bacterial growth and VSCs production and could be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine.

In vitro antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of carvacrol and terpinen-4-ol against biofilm formation on titanium implant surfaces

“…There are no reported studies that have examined the antibacterial activity of terpinen-4-ol on P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Terpinen-4-ol has been shown to be the main active component of Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO) (Hart et al 2000;Nogueira et al 2014), and several studies have reported on the antimicrobial activity of TTO, promoting bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects at low concentrations against P. gingivalis W83 (Graziano et al 2016) and ATCC 33277 (Takarada et al 2004) and against F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis isolates from the oral cavity (Hammer et al 2003).…”

In Vitro Efficacy of Essential Oils from Melaleuca Alternifolia and Rosmarinus Officinalis, Manuka Honey-based Gel, and Propolis as Antibacterial Agents Against Canine Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius Strains

“…Different studies investigated the antimicrobial properties of EOs and found that Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria [25]. Tea tree EO (TTEO) is derived from the distillation of leaves and twigs of Melaleuca alternifolia, which contains the following different volatile compounds: terpine-4-ol (≥30%), teripene (about 20%), α-terpinene (about 8%), ρ-cymene (about 8%), α-pinene (about 3%), terpinolene (about 3%), and 1,8-cineol (≤15%) [30]. In terms of medical and aromatic value, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is of considerable importance.…”

Melaleuca alternifolia and its application against dental plaque and periodontal diseases: A systematic review

“…Besides the bactericidal effects, inhibition of growth and adhesion were found against periodontopathogens and cariogenic bacteria (Takarada et al, ). Moreover, bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Porphyromonas endodontalis were similar to CHX (Graziano et al, ). The M .…”

“…Furthermore, the growth of strains of Pg was effectively inhibited. In comparison with CHX, it had similar antimicrobial activity, promoting bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects at low concentrations (Graziano et al, ).…”