| Topically applied Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil causes direct anti-cancer cytotoxicity in subcutaneous tumour bearing mice. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 22727730 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
BACKGROUND: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil (TTO) applied topically in a dilute (10%) dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) formulation exerts a rapid anti-cancer effect after a short treatment protocol. Tumour clearance is associated with skin irritation mediated by neutrophils which quickly and completely resolves upon treatment cessation. OBJECTIVE: To examine the mechanism of action underlying the anti-cancer activity of TTO. METHODS: Immune cell changes in subcutaneous tumour bearing mice in response to topically applied TTO treatments were assessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Direct cytotoxicity of TTO on tumour cells in vivo was assessed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Neutrophils accumulate in the skin following topical 10% TTO/DMSO treatment but are not required for tumour clearance as neutrophil depletion did not abrogate the anti-cancer effect. Topically applied 10% TTO/DMSO, but not neat TTO, induces an accumulation and activation of dendritic cells and an accumulation of T cells. Although topical application of 10% TTO/DMSO appears to activate an immune response, anti-tumour efficacy is mediated by a direct effect on tumour cells in vivo. The direct cytotoxicity of TTO in vivo appears to be associated with TTO penetration. CONCLUSION: Future studies should focus on enhancing the direct cytotoxicity of TTO by increasing penetration through skin to achieve a higher in situ terpene concentration. This coupled with boosting a more specific anti-tumour immune response will likely result in long term clearance of tumours. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Demelza J Ireland; Sara J Greay; Cornelia M Hooper; Haydn T Kissick; Pierre Filion; Thomas V Riley; Manfred W Beilharz |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2012-5-27 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of dermatological science Volume: - ISSN: 1873-569X ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2012 May |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2012-6-25 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9011485 Medline TA: J Dermatol Sci Country: - |
Other Details:
|
Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
|
Copyright © 2012 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
|
School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (M504), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Temperament and character traits in patients with bipolar disorder and associations with attempted s...
Next Document: Role of the Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) - CXCR4 Axis in the Interaction Between Hepatic Stellat...