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Planta Med 2023; 89(04): 454-463
DOI: 10.1055/a-1947-5680
Natural Product Chemistry & Analytical Studies
Original Papers

Optimizing the Antimicrobial Synergism of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil Combinations for Application against Respiratory Related Pathogens

Stephanie Leigh-de Rapper 
1   Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Alvaro Viljoen 
2   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
3   SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
,
Sandy van Vuuren 
1   Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: The National Research Foundation 121922
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Abstract

Antimicrobial research into the use of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil has demonstrated broad-spectrum activity; however, much of the research published focuses on identifying the potential of this essential oil individually, rather than in combination for an enhanced antimicrobial effect. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of four essential oil combinations, all inclusive of M. alternifolia, against nine pathogens associated with the respiratory tract. The minimum inhibitory concentration assay was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of four essential oil combinations, M. alternifolia in combination with Cupressus sempervirens, Origanum majorana, Myrtus communis, and Origanum vulgare essential oils. The interactions between essential oil combinations were analyzed using isobolograms and SynergyFinder 2.0 software to visualize the synergistic potential at varied ratios. The antimicrobial activity of the different combinations of essential oils all demonstrated the ability to produce an enhanced antimicrobial effect compared to the essential oils when investigated independently. The findings of this study determined that isobolograms provide a more in-depth analysis of an essential oil combination interaction; however, the value of that interaction should be further quantified using computational modelling such as SynergyFinder. This study further supports the need for more studies where varied ratios of essential oils are investigated for antimicrobial potential.

Key words

antimicrobial activity - essential oil - Melaleuca alternifolia - interactions - isobolograms - SynergyFinder

Supporting Information

    Supplementary tables have been included to provide a summary of the interpretation of antimicrobial interactions made by the isobolograms compared to SynergyFinder 2.0 for the essential oils at the various ratios (9 : 1, 8 : 2, 7 : 3, 6 : 4, 5 : 5, 4 : 6, 3 : 7, 2 : 8 and 1 : 9). Chromatograms of the oils investigated have been included in the Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 10 July 2022

Accepted after revision: 06 September 2022

Article published online:
10 January 2023

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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