Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of a Plant-Based Substance for the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis

Abstract

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is the most prevalent dermatological disease, occurring in up to 50% of newborns, children, and adults around the world. The antibacterial and antifungal resistance contributed to the search for new natural substances and the development of a novel substance based on Melaleuca alternifolia (M. alternifolia) leaf oil (TTO), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), and α-(-)-bisabolol. Thus, this work aimed to determine the chemical composition of the novel plant-based substance and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against standard microorganisms involved in the pathogenesis of SD. Moreover, the chemical composition of the substance was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus), and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were used for antimicrobial and antifungal assays by means of the broth microdilution method to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Finally, the substance’s ability to inhibit Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) was evaluated. Eighteen compounds from different chemical groups were identified by GC/MS. The major biologically active compounds of the substance were terpinen-4-ol (20.88%), 1,8-cineole (22.28%), (-)-α-bisabolol (25.73%), and o-cymene (8.16%). The results showed that the substance has a synergistic antimicrobial and antifungal activity, while S. epidermidis and C. albicans strains were the most susceptible. Furthermore, the substance inhibited M. furfur, which is a main pathogen involved in the pathogenesis of SD and clinical manifestations. It can be concluded that the novel plant-based substance has a promising potential against M. furfur and scalp commensal bacteria and may be helpful for the development of new drugs for treatment of dandruff and SD.

Modes of Action of 1,8-Cineol in Infections and Inflammation

“…The major biologically active compounds were terpinen-4-ol (20.88%), 1,8-Cineol (22.28%), (-)-α-bisabolol (25.73%) and o-cymene (8.16%). This substance revealed inhibitory effects against the yeast Malassezia furfur , which is a main pathogen involved in the pathogenesis and manifestation of the dermatological disease Seborrheic dermatitis [ 52 ].…”

Novel anti‐dandruff shampoo incorporated with ketoconazole‐coated zinc oxide nanoparticles using green tea extract

“…Their respective zone of inhibition is listed in Table 3. In order to compare the antifungal effectiveness, the study was refined taking similar concentration of standard drug, KTZ 40,41 . The zone of inhibition for KTZ (0.161 mg/mL) was not observed, whereas ZnO nanoparticles coated with an equivalent amount of KTZ has shown the zone of inhibition (25 mm) (Table 4).…”

1,8-Cineol Attenuates Checkpoint Molecule PDL-1 and Adhesion Molecule CX3CR1 in Circulating Monocytes in Otitis Media Patients

“…It has recently been shown, in secretory otitis media (SOM), that different inflammatory mediators, such as CXCL1, IL-16, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β, CXCL10, and CXCL9, were found in high concentrations in middle ear fluids, in association with the presence of bacterial and viral nucleic acid levels [ 36 ]. Moreover, it has recently been shown that 1,8-Cineol contributes to a synergistic anti-microbial and also anti-fungal activity within a novel substance based on Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, which showed inhibitory effects against the pathogenic yeast Malassezia furfur , which is involved in the dermatological disease, Seborrheic dermatitis [ 37 ]. In this context, 1,8-Cineol may be a potential alternative to conventional fungicides, since different fungal citrus pathogens have been shown to develop tolerance to conventional fungicides but not to 1,8-Cineol [ 38 ].…”