Tea tree oil

Catalog	FFC68647734
CAS	68647-73-4
Synonyms	Melasol
Molecular Weight	0
Boiling Point	165 °C
Flash Point	147 °F
Purity	96%
Density	0.878 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Appearance	light yellow liquid
Physical State	Liquid
Refractive Index	n20/D 1.478(lit.)
Storage Conditions	2-8 °C

Case Study

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by tea tree oil

Mills, Clive, et al. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 56.3 (2004): 375-379.

Abstract: Pediculosis is a commonly reported infestation among school-age children. The most common treatment involves physical removal of nits using a fine-tooth comb and chemical treatment of adult lice and nits with topical preparations. The active ingredients of these preparations frequently act by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Increasing resistance to many preparations has led to a search for more effective treatments. Tea tree oil has been added to several preparations as an alternative treatment for head lice infestations. In this study, two major components of tea tree oil, 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, inhibited acetylcholinesterase at IC50 values of 0.04 and 10.30 m, respectively. The results support the hypothesis that the insecticidal activity of tea tree oil is partially due to the anticholinesterase activity of tea tree oil.
Experimental Methods: 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol were identified and quantified in each tea tree oil evaluated by GC/MS analysis. Tea tree oil, pinene-4-ol, and 1,8-cineole samples were dissolved in ethanol and analyzed on a gas-mass chromatograph. Monoterpenes or tea tree oil solutions were separated on the chromatographic column with an inlet temperature of 150 °C using a temperature program from 60 °C to 100 °C.

Study on tea tree oil to reduce skin inflammation

Koh, K. J., et al. British Journal of Dermatology 147.6 (2002): 1212-1217.

Abstract: Tea tree oil is gaining popularity as an antimicrobial agent for treating conditions such as tinea pedis and acne. The mean volume was significantly reduced after application of tea tree oil. To explore the anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil against histamine-induced inflammation. The final experiment showed that tea tree oil can reduce histamine-induced skin inflammation.
Experimental Methods: Volunteers received an intradermal injection of histamine diphosphonate in each forearm. Flare and scratch diameters and double skin thickness were measured every 10 min for 1 h to calculate flare area and scratch volume. Tea tree oil was applied topically to the study forearms of 21 volunteers at 20 min. For 6 volunteers, paraffin oil was used instead of tea tree oil.