An upcycled fraction of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil regenerates the skin through the skin melatonin pathway and improves sleep quality.

BACKGROUND: Sleep is one of the most important factors affecting overall health. During the night, the skin repairs damage caused by daily stresses. Melatonin plays a key role in this process. Toxins are removed, and cellular repair and growth hormone production are increased. Inter alia, this also decreases signs of intrinsic aging. AIMS: The current study was intended to demonstrate the impact of a unique fraction of Melaleuca alternifolia (FMA) essential oil, on sleep and skin quality. METHODS: The effect of FMA was investigated in vitro on skin cells, evaluating its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and in an ex-vivo study on human skin biopsies treated with FMA following stress induction. In addition, two clinical studies were performed on volunteers with life-style-related sleep complaints. In one study, sleep was measured using a noncontact monitoring device (SleepScore Labs, Max). A second study was conducted to assess skin anti-aging effects. RESULTS: In vitro application of FMA reduced IL-8 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in skin cells. This was confirmed ex vivo through a decrease in inflammatory markers and an increase in antioxidant enzymes after stress induction. Interestingly, FMA also upregulated melatonin-associated genes. Real-world sleep tracking revealed that FMA significantly improved sleep quality, relative to unscented control. In vivo applications also showed a reduction in signs of aging. CONCLUSION: These results provide initial data to suggest that this unique FMA delivers skin anti-aging benefits via a two-pronged mode of action, improving sleep quality, and reducing skin inflammatory and oxidative stress.

Administración accidental de aceite puro esencial de arbol de té (Melaleuca alternifolia) en lactantes / Accidental pure essential tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) administration in two infants

El aceite de árbol de té es una sustancia que se obtiene mediante la destilación de las hojas y ramas frescas del árbol Melaleuca alternifolia. En los últimos años se ha popularizado su uso sobre todo como agente antiinfeccioso tópico en una gran variedad de enfermedades. Se trata de una sustancia natural que tiene un potencial efecto tóxico demostrado sobre todo si se ingiere. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes atendidos en nuestro Servicio de Urgencias tras administración e ingestión accidental de aceite esencial de árbol de té, en ambos casos los padres confundieron el envase con el de la vitamina D. La atención de estos pacientes nos llevó a realizar una búsqueda bibliográfica de casos publicados de intoxicación por ingesta de aceite de árbol de té y a poner de manifiesto la ausencia de advertencias de seguridad en los envases de aceite de árbol de té que actualmente se comercializan en nuestro país (AU)

Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branches of Melaleuca alternifolia. In recent years, it has become popular as an antimicrobial agent against a large number of diseases. It is a natural substance that has a potential toxic effect especially if ingested. We report two cases of infants who came to our Emergency Department because they were accidentally given tea tree oil. In both cases parents mistook the tea tree oil bottle with the D vitamin bottle. The care of these patients led us to perform a literature search of published cases of tea tree oil poisoning and highlight the absence of safety warnings on tea tree oil packages currently marketed in our country (AU)

Emprego do óleo de Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Myrtaceae) na odontologia: perspectivas quanto à utilização como antimicrobiano alternativo às doenças infecciosas de origem bucal / Use of Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel (Myrtaceae) oil in dentistry: perspectives on its use as alternative antimicrobial to infectious diseases of oral origin

O interesse por medicamentos alternativos, principalmente daqueles provenientes de extratos naturais, tem aumentado nas últimas décadas. A Melaleuca alternifolia é um arbusto pertencente ao gênero Melaleuca, popularmente conhecida como "árvore de chá", cujo principal produto é o óleo essencial (TTO - tea tree oil), de grande importância medicinal por possuir comprovada ação bactericida e antifúngica contra diversos patógenos humanos. Em virtude da atividade terapêutica em diversas especialidades médicas, o TTO passou a ser empregado na área odontológica. Esta revisão de literatura foi realizada com o objetivo de discutir os ensaios já realizados com o TTO contra microrganismos relacionados à doença cárie, doença periodontal e problemas pulpares. O óleo de Melaleuca tem demonstrado boa ação antibacteriana in vitro contra microrganismos bucais, porém, pesquisas envolvendo o estudo do mecanismo de ação sobre as células microbianas ou estudos in vivo ainda são escassos e precisam ser realizados, já que esse produto pode ser útil na odontologia, seja na manutenção química da higiene ou prevenção de doenças bucais.

The interest in alternative medicines, especially those from natural extracts, has increased in recent decades. Melaleuca alternifolia is a shrub belonging to the genus Melaleuca, popularly known as "tea tree", the main product of which is its essential oil (TTO - tea tree oil), of great medicinal importance for its proven bactericidal and antifungal activity against several human pathogens. By virtue of its therapeutic activity in various medical specialties, TTO is now used in dentistry. This literature review was conducted in order to discuss the tests already carried out with TTO against microorganisms related to dental caries, periodontal disease and pulpal problems. Melaleuca oil has shown good in vitro antibacterial activity against oral microorganisms; however, research involving the study of its mechanism of action on the microbial cells or in vivo studies are still scarce and need to be done since this product may be useful in dentistry, either in the chemical maintenance of hygiene or in the prevention of oral diseases.