Membrane Disruption Properties of Essential Oils—A Double-Edged Sword?

Abstract

The emerging literature has suggested essential oils (EOs) as new possible weapons to fight antimicrobial resistance due to their inherent antimicrobial properties. However, the potential pharmaceutical use of EOs is confronted by several limitations, including being non-specific in terms of drug targeting, possessing a high cytotoxicity as well as posing a high risk for causing skin irritation. Furthermore, some EOs have been demonstrated to adversely affect the cellular lipid profiles and permeability of the cell membrane, which may result in undesirable outcomes for the cells. Nevertheless, owing to their naturally complex compositions, EOs still hold undiscovered potential to mitigate antimicrobial resistance, as an alternative to existing antibiotics. To address the issue of overuse in antibiotics for crops which have led to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance globally, EOs have also been proposed as potential biopesticides. Since the perceived advantages of antimicrobial attributes in EOs remain largely unexplored, this review aims to provide a discourse into its current practical usefulness in the agricultural setting. Finally, updated bioengineering techniques with emphasis of the biopesticide potential of EOs as a means to alleviate antimicrobial resistance will be included.

Variations in Essential Oil Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D. Don from Different Geographical Origins—A Critical Review

“…However, it is known that gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane, rich in lipopolysaccharides, which acts as a permeability barrier against hydrophobic molecules, hence it is expected that EOs are less effective against gram-negative than gram-positive bacteria. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that EOs could also be cytotoxic to eukaryotic cell membranes [52]. Therefore, further studies are needed with respect to both target and non-target organisms.…”

Iron Oxide–Silica Core–Shell Nanoparticles Functionalized with Essential Oils for Antimicrobial Therapies

“…There are many research studies demonstrating their biological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic), analgesic, sedative, and wound healing [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. With regard to the current antimicrobial resistance crisis, EOs have proven their efficiency by targeting microbial cell walls or membranes, cellular respiration processes, or quorum sensing mechanisms [ 19 , 24 ]. Nevertheless, despite their tremendous potential, EOs have a series of limitations associated with their increased hydrophobicity, volatility, lipophilicity, and oxidation susceptibility and decreased solubility and stability [ 21 , 25 ].…”

Bioprospecting Phenols as Inhibitors of Trichothecene-Producing Fusarium: Sustainable Approaches to the Management of Wheat Pathogens

“…Phenolic compounds may be combined with essential oils to improve their bioavailability. The hydrophobicity of essential oils enables a better partition of phenolic compounds within the lipids of the cell membrane and mitochondria, thereby increasing their permeability and ultimately leading to the release of intracellular constituents [227,228] and to interference with many biological processes [229]. Wang et al [230] showed that Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.)…”