In vitroantiviral activity ofMelaleuca alternifoliaessential oil

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the in vitro antiviral activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO) and its main components, terpinen‐4‐ol, α‐terpinene, γ‐terpinene, p‐cymene, terpinolene and α‐terpineol. Methods and Results: The antiviral activity of tested compounds was evaluated against polio type 1, ECHO 9, Coxsackie B1, adeno type 2, herpes simplex (HSV) type 1 and 2 viruses by 50% plaque reduction assay. The anti‐influenza virus assay was based on the inhibition of the virus‐induced cytopathogenicity. Results obtained from our screening demonstrated that the TTO and some of its components (the terpinen‐4‐ol, the terpinolene, the α‐terpineol) have an inhibitory effect on influenza A/PR/8 virus subtype H1N1 replication at doses below the cytotoxic dose. The ID50 value of the TTO was found to be 0·0006% (v/v) and was much lower than its CD50 (0·025% v/v). All the compounds were ineffective against polio 1, adeno 2, ECHO 9, Coxsackie B1, HSV‐1 and HSV‐2. None of the tested compounds showed virucidal activity. Only a slight virucidal effect was observed for TTO (0·125% v/v) against HSV‐1 and HSV‐2. Conclusions: These data show that TTO has an antiviral activity against influenza A/PR/8 virus subtype H1N1 and that antiviral activity has been principally attributed to terpinen‐4‐ol, the main active component. Significance and Impact of the Study: TTO should be a promising drug in the treatment of influenza virus infection.

Comparison of hand hygiene antimicrobial efficacy: Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil versus triclosan

“…However, it is important to note that, based on the scientific literature, although studies emphasize the potential antimicrobial activity of TTO (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(11)(12) , there is still no standardization determining the minimum effective concentration, time of application, or best way to use TTO. There is evidence that a concentration of 5% in a hygiene formulation, using the same methodology applied in this trial (EN 1499), is possibly effective (22) .…”

“…Publications report that this essential oil presents antimicrobial activities, among them antibacterial(5), including the decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (6) , antifungal (7)(8) and antiviral (9) activities, as well as anti-inflammatory effects (10) .…”

Antibacterial and antiviral effect of essential oils combined with non-thermal disinfection technologies for ready-to-eat Romaine lettuce

“…Other studies, have studied the antiviral effect of Melaleuca alternifolia in different viruses including adenovirus-2, but no effect was obvious. 45 Kovac et al 46 showed that Hyssopus officinalis and Thymus mastichina EOs in concentration of 0.02% had no effect in the reduction of murine norovirus (MNV-1) and human adenovirus (HAdV-2). According to Cermelli et al 47 eucalyptus EO in concentration of 0.25 μl/mL did not also reduce significantly AdV.…”

The Therapeutic Benefits of Essential Oils

“…(Van Vuuren et al, 2009 ;Hammer et al, 2008) 9.13.2. Properties: Antimicrobial, antiviral, antiasthenic, neurotonic, lymphatic, decongestant, radioprotective, antispasmodic (Garozzo et al, 2009;Lobo et al, 2011;Mickienė et al, 2011).…”