Benzyl alcohol 7.5% / Eucalyptus oil 1% cream

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products called volatile oils or aromatic and ethereal oils derived from various parts of plants. They possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which offer natural protection against a variety of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Studies conducted in the last decade have demonstrated the unique applications of these compounds in the fields of the food industry, agriculture, and skin health. This systematic article provides a summary of recent data pertaining to the effectiveness of EOs and their constituents in combating fungal pathogens through diverse mechanisms. Antifungal investigations involving EOs were conducted on multiple academic platforms, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Springer, Scopus, and PubMed, spanning from April 2000 to October 2023. Various combinations of keywords, such as "essential oil," "volatile oils," "antifungal," and "Aspergillus species," were used in the search. Numerous essential oils have demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against different species of Aspergillus, including A. niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, and A. ochraceus. They have also exhibited efficacy against other fungal species, such as Penicillium species, Cladosporium, and Alternaria. The findings of this study offer novel insights into inhibitory pathways and suggest the potential of essential oils as promising agents with antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic properties. These properties could make them viable alternatives to conventional preservatives, thereby enhancing the shelf life of various food products.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

The essential oil isolated from clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is used in food, medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and aromatherapy for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. This systematic review, following the PRISMA 2020 methodology, evaluates the application of clove essential oil in meat and meat products to determine its effectiveness in preventing oxidative damage and improving product quality. A search was performed in various databases, obtaining 639 studies. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 43 relevant articles were selected. Studies published between 1999 and 2024 that evaluated clove essential oil in meat for human consumption were included, excluding research on extracts other than essential oil or supplements for animal feed. The studies suggest that clove essential oil improves parameters such as oxidative stability, colour preservation, and the reduction in reactive compounds such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, thereby increasing the shelf life and safety of meat and meat products. Oxidation is reduced through free radical inhibition and lipid protection. The main variability detected includes the type of meat, application method and storage conditions. The concentrations used ranged from 2.65 mL/kg to 5%. Although variability in methodologies and concentrations used is a limitation for meta-analysis, the findings support the potential of clove essential oil as a natural alternative for preserving meat products, responding to consumer demand for safer foods free of synthetic preservatives.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Ectoparasites are pathogens that can infect the skin and cause immense pain, discomfort, and disease. They are typically managed with insecticides. However, the fast-emerging antimicrobial resistance and the slow rate of development of new bio-actives combined with environmental and health concerns over the continued use of neurotoxic insecticides warrant newer and alternative methods of control. Tea tree oil (TTO), as an alternative agent, has shown remarkable promise against ectoparasites in recent studies. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to assess preclinical and clinical studies exploring the antiparasitic activity of TTO and its components against clinically significant ectoparasites, such as Demodex mites, scabies mites, house dust mites, lice, fleas, chiggers, and bed bugs. We systematically searched databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Embase (Scopus), CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS in any language from inception to 4 April 2022. Studies exploring the therapeutic activity of TTO and its components against the ectoparasites were eligible. We used the ToxRTool (Toxicological data reliability assessment) tool, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools, and the Jadad scale to assess the methodological qualities of preclinical (in vitro and in vivo) studies, non-randomised controlled trials (including cohort, case series, and case studies), and randomised controlled trials, respectively. Of 497 identified records, 71 studies were included in this systematic review, and most (66%) had high methodological quality. The findings of this review revealed the promising efficacy of TTO and its components against ectoparasites of medical importance. Most importantly, the compelling in vitro activity of TTO against ectoparasites noted in this review seems to have translated well into the clinical environment. The promising outcomes observed in clinical studies provide enough evidence to justify the use of TTO in the pharmacotherapy of ectoparasitic infections.

Abstract licence: CC BY