Tea tree oil: As a promising antimicrobial agent Umut vaat eden bi̇r anti̇mi̇krobi̇yal: Tea tree oil (çay aǧaci yaǧi)

Tezgül Çakir N., Kaleaǧasi S., Kökdil G.

Ankara Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi, vol.34, no.4, pp.315-327, 2005 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Journal Name: Ankara Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.315-327
  • Keywords: Antimicrobial agent, Chemical constituent, Melaleuca alternifolia, Pharmacological and toxicological properties, Tea tree oil
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Tea tree oil (TTO) is the essential oil steam distilled from leaves of the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae), and has been used widely as a topical antiseptic in Australia for almost 80 years . Recent investigations have confirmed that tea tree oil exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity which can be principally attributed to its high content of terpinen-4-ol. Recent clinical trials have shown promise. In the last fifteen years tea tree oil, as a naturally occurring agent, has become increasingly more popular for a wide range of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In this review; the identity, sources, composition, pharmacological properties of tea tree oil have been summarized. Also, the general toxicology profile of tea tree oil was discussed.