In vitro antiviral activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil.

Abstract

AIMS:

To investigate the in vitro antiviral activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO) and its main components, terpinen-4-ol, alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene and alpha-terpineol.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

The antiviral activity of tested compounds was evaluated against polio type 1, ECHO 9, Coxsackie B1, adeno type 2, herpes simplex (HSV) type 1 and 2 viruses by 50% plaque reduction assay. The anti-influenza virus assay was based on the inhibition of the virus-induced cytopathogenicity. Results obtained from our screening demonstrated that the TTO and some of its components (the terpinen-4-ol, the terpinolene, the alpha-terpineol) have an inhibitory effect on influenza A/PR/8 virus subtype H1N1 replication at doses below the cytotoxic dose. The ID(50) value of the TTO was found to be 0.0006% (v/v) and was much lower than its CD(50) (0.025% v/v). All the compounds were ineffective against polio 1, adeno 2, ECHO 9, Coxsackie B1, HSV-1 and HSV-2. None of the tested compounds showed virucidal activity. Only a slight virucidal effect was observed for TTO (0.125% v/v) against HSV-1 and HSV-2.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data show that TTO has an antiviral activity against influenza A/PR/8 virus subtype H1N1 and that antiviral activity has been principally attributed to terpinen-4-ol, the main active component.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:

TTO should be a promising drug in the treatment of influenza virus infection.

• Authors: A Garozzo, R Timpanaro, B Bisignano, P M Furneri, G Bisignano, A Castro
• Journal: Letters in applied microbiology (Lett Appl Microbiol) Vol. 49 Issue 6 Pg. 806-8 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1472-765X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19843207 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Insecticides
• Monoterpenes
• Tea Tree Oil

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Drug Resistance, Viral (drug effects)
• Enterovirus (drug effects)
• Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype (drug effects)
• Inhibitory Concentration 50
• Insecticides (pharmacology)
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Monoterpenes (pharmacology)
• Simplexvirus (drug effects)
• Tea Tree Oil (pharmacology)