Chemical and biological evaluation of the essential oils of different Melaleuca species

Abstract

The essential oils of the fresh leaves of M. ericifolia, M. leucadendron, M. armillaris and M. styphelioides were isolated by a hydrodistillation method and analysed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. The essential oil of M. ericifolia contained methyl eugenol (96.84%) as a major constituent, whereas M. leucadendron was rich in 1,8-cineole (64.30%). The essential oil of M. armillaris was rich in 1,8-cineole (33.93%) followed by terpinen-4-ol (18.79%), whereas M. styphelioides was rich in caryophyllene oxide (43.78%) and (-) spathulenol (9.65%). The essential oils of these species possessed antimicrobial and antifungal activities. M. ericifolia exhibited the highest inhibitory effects against Bacillus subtiles and Aspergillus niger. The antiviral activities of the essential oils against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were studied in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) by a plaque reduction assay. The volatile oil of M. armillaris was more effective as a virucidal (up to 99%) than that of M. leucadendron (92%) and M. ericifolia (91.5%). The effects of the essential oils on the antioxidant system status in carbon tetrachloride treated animals were studied. The essential oil of M. armillaris exhibited a marked antioxidant effect, it improved vitamin E, vitamin C and superoxide dismutase parameters so it can be used as a free radical suppressor.

In vitro anti-microbial activity of the Cuban medicinal plants Simarouba glauca DC, Melaleuca leucadendron L and Artemisia absinthium L

“…In addition, Cuban folk medicine information also shows several other medicinal uses for these plants, including antihelminthic, antidysenteric and antiherpetic action (Roig 1974). Similarly, the anti-infective properties of these plants have been confirmed by several other research groups (Caceres et al 1990, Franssen et al 1997, Farag et al 2004). …”

“…This extract can be considered as relatively-non toxic with a CC 50 value of 20 µg/ml. About antibacterial activity, Hussein et al (2007) reported activity of Melaleuca ericifolia leaves extract whereas Farag et al (2004) showed that all essential oils extracted from four different Melaleuca species, including M. leucadendron, vary in composition but possess antibacterial and antifungal activities. We detected some activity against M. canis (IC 50 = 13 µg/mL).…”

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity ofMelaleuca styphelioideson carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

“…These attributes prompted us to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of an ellagitannin-rich plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family, namely Melaleuca styphelioides Sm. Previous studies have reported that various Melaleuca species are rich sources of bioactive compounds, such as volatile oils (Farag et al, 2004), ellagitannins (Yoshida et al, 2008), and flavonoids . Different Melaleuca species are used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments (Southwell & Robert, 1999).…”

“…Different Melaleuca species are used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments (Southwell & Robert, 1999). Several studies have proved the strong in vitro antioxidant activity of various Melaleuca species (Farag et al, 2004;Kim et al, 2004). M. styphelioides, known as prickly-leaf tea tree, is a small to medium-sized ornamental tree (Byrnes, 1986).…”

The Effects of the Ethanol Extract of Dracocephalum Moldavica (Badrashbu) Against Strains of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia

“…Its antimicrobial effects have been widely studied. The plant has been used for controlling the growth of Escherichia coli and Salmonella (2)(3)(4)(5). The plant's extract also has anti-helicobacter activities (6).…”