Positive Health Online

Abstract

BRAND and colleagues, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Flinders Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, report that tea tree oil reduces the swelling associated with the efferent phase of a contact hypersensitivity response.

Background

The object of this study was to examine the anti- inflammatory properties of tea tree oil in mice.

Methodology

Mice were sensitized to the chemical trinitrochlorobenzene on their ventral skin . 7 days later, they were re-exposed to the same chemical on the dorsal skin.

Results

Tea tree oil applied 30 minutes before or up to 7 hours after to the same site as the chemical caused significant reduction in skin swelling after one day. Tea tree oil reduced oedema but not the influx of inflammatory cells . This finding is supported by the inability of tea tree oil to suppress TNF alpha-induced E-selectin expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Conclusion

Topical tea tree oil can regulate the efferent phase of a contact hypersensitivity response .

References

Brand C,Grimbaldeston MA, Gamblle JR, Drew J, Finlay-Jones JJ, Hart PH, et al. Tea tree oil reduces the swelling asociated with the efferent phase of a contact hypersensitivity response. Inflammation Research 51 (5): 236-244, May 2002.