Activity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil against L3 Larvae ofAnisakis simplex

Abstract

Nematicidal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, commonly known as tea tree oil (TTO), was assayed in vitro against L3 larvae of Anisakis simplex. The results showed a mortality of 100% for concentrations between 7 and 10 μL/mL after 48 h of incubation, obtaining an LD50 value of 4.53 μL/mL after 24 hours and 4.27 μL/mL after 48 hours. Concentration-dependent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was observed for tea tree essential oil showing inhibition values of 100% at 100 μL/mL. This fact suggests that TTO may act as an AChE inhibitor. Terpinen-4-ol was discarded as main larvicide compound as it did not show larvicidal or anticholinesterase activity. The data obtained suggest that the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia may have a great therapeutic potential for the treatment of human anisakiasis.

Use of Tunisian flavored olive oil as anisakicidal agent in industrial anchovy marinating process

“…This study confirms the anisakicidal activity reported for natural plants and spices used for our olive oil aromatization and also for their major compounds (β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene, 1,8‐cineole, p ‐cymene, eugenol, and limonene) . The different types of lesions observed in all dead parasites are related to the different active components, in agreement with the literature .…”

Natural products: Perspectives in the pharmacological treatment of gastrointestinal anisakiasis

“…Of these, tea tree oil [Melaleuca alternifolia (M. alternifolia)] gave the most significant results, killing all the larvae in 48 h at concentrations of 7 and 10 mg/mL [22]. The essential oils of several aromatic plants were found to have similarly lethal effects in 4-48 h (125 mg/ was shown to be lethal at concentrations of 250 mg/mL; and a mixture of this essential oil with chamomile essential oil displayed activity at concentrations of 187.5 mg/mL.…”

Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition

“…This tree is native to Australia; it occurs naturally in the northern coastal region of New South Wales, bordering Queensland. TTO, which is obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets by steam distillation, has been reported to have multiple biological activities, such as bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐tumoral, analgesic, insecticidal and acaricidal activities . It is seen by many as a remedy for several skin diseases, including acne, eczema, skin infections such as herpes simplex and warts, wounds, burns, insect bites, dandruff , and nail mycoses .…”

“…There is an obvious terpinen‐4‐ol chemotype (type 1), an obvious terpinolene chemotype (type 2), and an obvious 1,8‐cineole chemotype (type 5). The three remaining chemotypes are dominated by the oil component 1,8‐cineole, and are considered to be 1,8‐cineole chemotypes that differ in the levels of either terpinen‐4‐ol or terpinolene present . Commercial TTOs are always of the terpinen‐4‐ol chemotype, type 1.…”