Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases

Abstract

Essential oils are one of the most notorious natural products used for medical purposes. Combined with their popular use in dermatology, their availability, and the development of antimicrobial resistance, commercial essential oils are often an option for therapy. At least 90 essential oils can be identified as being recommended for dermatological use, with at least 1500 combinations. This review explores the fundamental knowledge available on the antimicrobial properties against pathogens responsible for dermatological infections and compares the scientific evidence to what is recommended for use in common layman's literature. Also included is a review of combinations with other essential oils and antimicrobials. The minimum inhibitory concentration dilution method is the preferred means of determining antimicrobial activity. While dermatological skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus have been well studied, other pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, Haemophilus influenzae, and Brevibacterium species have been sorely neglected. Combination studies incorporating oil blends, as well as interactions with conventional antimicrobials, have shown that mostly synergy is reported. Very few viral studies of relevance to the skin have been made. Encouragement is made for further research into essential oil combinations with other essential oils, antimicrobials, and carrier oils.

Wound Pathogens: Investigating Antimicrobial Activity of Commercial Essential Oil Combinations against Reference Strains

“…The most susceptible reference strain was MRSA (ATCC 33592-gentamycin resistant) and the two most resilient pathogens were E. coli and MRSA (ATCC 43300). After the investigation of 247 combinations (against each reference strain), 150 displayed noteworthy activity, defined as � 1.00 mg/ml, [29] against S. aureus, 93 against MRSA (ATCC 43300), 189 against MRSA (ATCC 33592-gentamycin resistant), 39 against E. coli and 209 against P. aeruginosa. Of these, 26 combinations could be identified as displaying noteworthy activity against all five bacteria.…”

“…This recommendation was further made by Orchard and van Vuuren. [29] There was a difference observed between the two Santalum spp., of which S. austrocaledonicum mostly displayed stronger antimicrobial activity (and broadspectrum activity) than that observed by S. album. It appears that the higher content of santalol in S. austrocaledonicum (α-santalol (52.7 %) and β-santalol (15.7 %)) compared to that of S. album (α-santalol (32.1 %) and cis-α-santalol (11.3 %)) may add to an increase in antimicrobial activity.…”

“…A MIC value � 1.00 mg/ml was considered noteworthy. [29] These values were recorded and used to calculate the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration (ΣFIC). Interpretation of the interactive profiles for each essential oil combination could then be determined as synergistic (� 0.5), additive (> 0.5-1.0), indifferent (> 1.0 -� 4.0) or antagonistic (> 4.0).…”

Essential oil of Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth attenuates nociception in mice

“…Northeastern flora is abundant in aromatic species, whose EO consist of a mix of compounds, mostly phenylpropanoic and terpene derivatives. This chemical complexity allows EO to have several biological effects, such as antiparasitic (7), antimicrobial (8), analgesic and anti-inflammatory (9), diuretic and hypotensive (10), antimalarial (11), gastro-protector (1,6), cell excitability inhibitor (12 –14), among others.…”

Efficacy of essential oil formulations against malodor causing bacteria

“…3 . Normal bacteria which can be found on 8,9 . Hydrophobicity of essential oils plays an important role in antimicrobial activity.…”