A Review on Efficacy of Tea Tree Oil in Treatment of Acne Vulgaris (Review Article)

Author(s): Madhuri Pendyala* Swetha Kumaari Parthnoor, Sai Madhuri Rajula, Harini Paripelli, Shivani Rokandla and Srividya Ramreddy

Abstract: Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleucaalternifolia by steam distillation and its supercritical fluid extraction has found a broad range of antimicrobial activities as antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial properties due to the presence of terpinen–4-ol as the major constituent. Tea tree oil is a natural product, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. The several applications of tea tree oil make it one of the best medicated products having therapeutic effects. The present review is based on the application of tea tree oil, extraction process, constituents, and safety considerations in the treatment of Acne vulgaris. Acne is general problem acquired after puberty. It ranges from mild to moderate: papules, pustules, nodules to severe cyst. Various natural therapy can be employed for treatment of acne. Tea tree oil has wide spectrum anti-microbial agent showing in treatment of acne. Usually, it is utilized in various topical preparations. It contains more than 80-90% monoterpenes namely terpinen-4-ol, -cymene, α-terpinene, limonene 1, 8-cineol, α-terpineol, terpinolene, 1, 8-cineol, sabinene and α-pinene, The European cosmetic Association recommended not more than 1% use of tea tree oil in cosmetic preparations. In this review, we listed various efficacy and tolerability studies along with challenges in application of tea tree oil in cosmetics and dermatological preparations. TTO is a moderate sensitizer and upon oxidation it increases in its allergenic potency. TTO is effective treatment option that can further be utilized in preparation of novel formulations like microemulsion based gels, liposome’s, ethosomes, lipid nanoparticles along with other anti-microbial and antioxidant agents.

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