Compendio degli studi più significativi con riferimento a proprietà, assunzione, effetti.

Nakamura T, Yoshida N, Yamanoi Y, Honryo A, Tomita H, Kuwabara H, Kojima Y. Eucalyptus oil reduces allergic reactions and suppresses mast cell degranulation by downregulating IgE-FcεRI signalling. Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 1;10(1):20940. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77039-5.

Abstract. Eucalyptus oil has been used since ancient times for its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative effects. In recent years, the action of Eucalyptus oil has been scientifically proven, and there have been reports that Eucalyptus oil suppresses the production of chemokines, cytokines and lipid mediators in basophils, alveolar macrophages and monocytes. Based on this information, we aimed to verify whether Eucalyptus oil can be used for allergic dermatitis, the incidence of which has been increasing among human skin diseases. This effect was verified using a mouse IgE-mediated local allergic model. In conclusion, topical application of Eucalyptus oil suppressed oedema and vascular permeability enhancement due to IgE-mediated allergic on the skin. In addition, we also verified the degranuration of mast cells, which is a part of its action, and examined whether 1,8-cineole, which is the main component of Eucalyptus oil, suppresses the phosphorylation of PLCγ and p38 directly or indirectly. 1,8-cineole was found to suppress degranulation of mast cells.

Wińska K, Mączka W, Łyczko J, Grabarczyk M, Czubaszek A, Szumny A. Essential Oils as Antimicrobial Agents-Myth or Real Alternative? Molecules. 2019 Jun 5;24(11):2130. doi: 10.3390/molecules24112130.

Abstract. Herbs and the essential oils derived from them have been used from the beginning of human history for different purposes. Their beneficial properties have been applied to mask unpleasant odors, attract the attention of other people, add flavor and aroma properties to prepared dishes, perfumes, and cosmetics, etc. Herbs and essential oils (EOs) have also been used in medicine because of their biological properties, such as larvicidal action, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant, fungicide, and antitumor activities, and many more. Many EOs exhibit antimicrobial properties, which is extremely important in fields of science and industry, such as medicine, agriculture, or cosmetology. Among the 250 EOs which are commercially available, about a dozen possess high antimicrobial potential. According to available papers and patents, EOs seem to be a potential alternative to synthetic compounds, especially because of the resistance that has been increasingly developed by pathogenic microorganisms. In this review we summarize the latest research studies about the most-active EOs that are known and used because of their antimicrobial properties. Finally, it is noteworthy that the antimicrobial activities of EOs are not preeminent for all strains. Further investigations should, thus, focus on targeting EOs and microorganisms.

Mota Vde S, Turrini RN, Poveda Vde B.Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus oil, xylitol and papain: a pilot study. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2015 Apr;49(2):216-20. Portuguese. doi: 10.1590/S0080-623420150000200005.

Abstract. Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, and of the xylitol and papain substances against the following microorganisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Samonella sp.; Staphylococus aureus; Proteus vulgaris; Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Method: The in vitro antimicrobial evaluation was used by means of the agar diffusion test and evaluation of the inhibition zone diameter of the tested substances. Chlorhexidine 0.5% was used as control. ...Conclusion: The Eucalyptus globulus oil has antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms and appears to be a viable alternative as germicidal agent hence, further investigation is recommended.

Karpanen TJ, Conway BR, Worthington T, Hilton AC, Elliott TS, Lambert PA. Enhanced chlorhexidine skin penetration with eucalyptus oil. BMC Infect Dis. 2010 Sep 22;10:278. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-10-278.

Abstract. Background: Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) is a widely used skin antiseptic, however it poorly penetrates the skin, limiting its efficacy against microorganisms residing beneath the surface layers of skin. The aim of the current study was to improve the delivery of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) when used as a skin antiseptic....Conclusion: The delivery of CHG into the epidermis and dermis can be enhanced by combination with eucalyptus oil, which in turn may improve biocide contact with additional microorganisms present in the skin, thereby enhancing antisepsis.

Quatrin PM, Verdi CM, de Souza ME, de Godoi SN, Klein B, Gundel A, Wagner R, de Almeida Vaucher R, Ourique AF, Santos RCV. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of nanoemulsions containing Eucalyptus globulus oil against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida spp. Microb Pathog. 2017 Nov;112:230-242. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.09.062. 

Abstract. Candida species are the main responsible microorganisms for causing fungal infections worldwide, and Candida albicans is most frequently associated with infectious processes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in immunocompromised patients. The infection persistence caused by these microorganisms is often related to antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. In this context, the objective of the present study was to prepare and characterize nanoemulsions containing Eucalyptus globulus oil and to verify its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against P. aeruginosa and Candida spp. The nanoemulsions had a size of approximately 76 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.22, a zeta potential of - 9,42 mV and a pH of approximately 5.0. The E. globulus oil was characterized by gas chromatography, being possible to observe its main components, such as 1-8-Cineol (75.8%), p- Cymene (7.5%), α-Pinene (7.4%) and Limonene (6.4%). The antimicrobial activity of the nanoemulsion was determined from the macrodilution tests and the cell viability curve, where the minimum fungicidal concentration of 0.7 mg/mL for C. albicans and 1.4 mg/mL for C. tropicalis and C. glabrata were obtained. However, the nanoemulsions did not present antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, since it contains only 5% of the oil, being ineffective for this microorganism. The nanoencapsulated oil action against the formed biofilm was evaluated by atomic force microscopy and calcofluor staining, and the nanoemulsion was more efficient for two of the three Candida species when compared to free oil.

Hendry E, Conway B, Worthington T. Antimicrobial efficacy of a novel eucalyptus oil, chlorhexidine digluconate and isopropyl alcohol biocide formulation. Int J Mol Sci. 2012 Oct 30;13(11):14016-25. doi: 10.3390/ijms131114016. 

Abstract. Effective surface disinfection is a fundamental infection control strategy within healthcare. This study assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of novel biocide formulations comprising 5% and 2% eucalyptus oil (EO) combined with 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) contained within a wipe. The efficacy of this novel antimicrobial formulation to remove and eliminate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Candida albicans from steel surfaces was investigated. Adpression studies of pre-contaminated wipes were also utilised to assess their potential to induce cross-contamination between hard surfaces. Furthermore, the bactericidal nature of the EO-formulation was established in addition to time-kill. The EO-containing formulations demonstrated bactericidal antimicrobial efficacy against all microorganisms and did not induce surface cross-contamination. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the 5% and 2% EO formulations in their ability to remove microorganisms from steel surfaces, however both significantly (p < 0.05) removed more than the control formulations. Microbial biofilms were eliminated within 10 min (p < 0.05) when exposed to the EO formulations. Our novel EO-formulation demonstrated rapid antimicrobial efficacy for potential disinfection and elimination of microbial biofilms from hard surfaces and may therefore be a useful adjunct to current infection control strategies currently employed within healthcare facilities.

Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil è un olio essenziale volatile utilizzato dalla medicina tradizionale per una serie di disturbi comuni ed oggi comunemente disponibile al banco (OTC) come unguenti, gocce, collutori, suffumigi e balsami. E' considerato sicuro, ma occorre non esagerare con le dosi.

In commercio circola una grande quantità di olio di eucalipto, ma la maggior parte contiene additivi chimici e riempitivi.

Materie prime utilizzate nella produzione:

Foglie di Eucalyptus Globulus. Le foglie di eucalipto sono ricche di oli essenziali, in particolare di eucaliptolo (cineolo), che conferisce all'olio le sue note proprietà terapeutiche.

Processo di produzione industriale

• Distillazione a vapore delle foglie di Eucalyptus Globulus (Myrtaceae). Durante questo processo, il vapore passa attraverso le foglie, estraendo l'olio essenziale, che viene poi condensato e raccolto.
• Purificazione. Dopo la distillazione, l'olio viene purificato per rimuovere eventuali impurità e ottimizzare la qualità del profumo e delle proprietà terapeutiche.
• Controllo di qualità. L'olio di foglie di Eucalyptus Globulus viene sottoposto a test di qualità per assicurare che soddisfi gli standard richiesti, in termini di purezza, profilo aromatico e proprietà chimiche.

A cosa serve e dove si usa

Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil è ampiamente utilizzato in aromaterapia, prodotti per la cura personale, prodotti per la pulizia e come ingrediente in prodotti farmaceutici. L'olio di eucalipto è noto per le sue proprietà rinfrescanti, decongestionanti e antimicrobiche. È comunemente impiegato in prodotti per alleviare i sintomi del raffreddore e della tosse, in lozioni e unguenti per il sollievo muscolare, e come repellente naturale per insetti. Inoltre, è utilizzato in prodotti per la pulizia per il suo aroma fresco e le sue proprietà antibatteriche.

Cosmetica

E' un ingrediente soggetto a restrizioni III/355  come Voce pertinente negli allegati del regolamento europeo sui cosmetici n. 1223/2009. 

Funzioni INCI:

Agente condizionante della pelle.  Rappresenta il perno del trattamento topico della pelle in quanto ha la funzione di ripristinare, aumentare o migliorare la tolleranza cutanea a fattori esterni, compresa la tolleranza dei melanociti. La funzione più importante dell'agente condizionante è  prevenire la disidratazione della pelle, ma il tema è piuttosto complesso e coinvolge emollienti ed umettanti che possono essere aggiunti nella formulazione.

Profumo. A differenza della fragranza che può contenere anche odori leggermente meno gradevoli o caratteristici, la dizione profumo indica soltanto le profumazioni molto gradevoli. Utilizzato per profumi e materie prime aromatiche.

CAS   84625-32-1

EC number   283-406-2

Altri usi

Applicato localmente dimostra un effetto analgesico e sopprime l'infiammazione allergica locale. Utile anche su punture di insetti, screpolature della pelle.

Detergente naturale per rimuovere macchie o olio difficili da rimuovere su tappeti, tessuti, vestiti.

Sicurezza

Attenzione a non avvicinare troppo questo olio agli occhi in quanto può causare irritazione.

Per approfondimenti:

Eucalyptus leaf oil studi

Forma e Colore

Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, conosciuto anche come olio di eucalipto, è generalmente un liquido. Questo olio essenziale ha un colore che varia dal trasparente al giallo chiaro. 

Si presenta come liquido giallastro con un profumo particolarmente intenso di canfora, quasi insolubile in acqua, solubile al 70% in etanolo, etanolo assoluto, grasso e olio.

Caratteristiche tipiche del prodotto commerciale

L'Eucalipto (Eucalyptus globulus) è una grande pianta che raggiunge agevolmente  30/40 metri di altezza e prospera nelle regioni a clima temperato ed appartiene alla famiglia delle Myrtaceae.

Vi sono circa 800 specie di eucalipto, tra le quali:

• Eucalyptus staigeriana
• Eucalyptus camaldulensis
• Eucalyptus pellita 
• Eucalyptus regnans
• Eucalyptus grandis
• Eucalyptus urophylla
• Eucalyptus Sideroxylon
• Eucalyptus maidenii
• Eucalyptus robusta
• Eucalyptus citriodora
• Eucalyptus tereticornis

A cosa serve e dove si usa

Le sue foglie vengono usate per produrre :

• olio che deve essere diluito (e non assunto puro) contro il raffreddore
• unguento per alleviare dolori muscolari
• vapore caldo per inalazioni contro il raffreddore
• collutorio contro gengiviti ed altre infezioni del cavo orale

L' Eucalipto rappresenta la fonte di cibo primaria per il Koala che vive in Australia.

E' una fonte primaria per la produzione di carta e cellulosa in Sud America.

Gli ingredienti più interessanti, dal punto di vista salutare, di queste piante sono principalmente alcaloidi, flavonoidi, pigmenti, fenolici, terpeni, amidi, steroidi e oli essenziali. Recenti studi hanno esibito i suoi effetti antimicrobici contro agenti batterici, fungini, parassiti e virali (1).

L'estratto di metanolo (8:2) ha dimostrato un'attività antinfiammatoria significativa attraverso la stabilizzazione della membrana ed altri processi che coinvolgono la denaturazione delle proteine (2).

Un'altra interessante applicazione dell'olio essenziale di eucalipto è la sua potenzialità larvicida e insetticida e può quindi essere utilizzato nella comunità in corpi idrici artificiali come misura di controllo vettoriale eco-compatibile nell'era della crescente resistenza agli insetticidi chimici (3).

I dati che emergono da questo studio chiariscono altre caratteristiche orientate alla salute dell'uso dell'estratto acquoso di foglie di Eucalyptus globulus che possono svolgere un ruolo importante come agente antiipertensivo per ridurre l'onere delle complicazioni cardiovascolari (4).

Bibliografia___________________________________________________________________

(1) Ghasemian A, Eslami M, Hasanvand F, Bozorgi H, Al-Abodi HR.  Eucalyptus camaldulensis properties for use in the eradication of infections.  Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Aug;65:234-237. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.04.007.

(2) Ashour RMS, Okba MM, Menze ET, El Gedaily RA.  J  Eucalyptus Sideroxylon Bark Anti-inflammatory Potential, Its UPLC-PDA-ESI-qTOF-MS Profiling, and Isolation of a New Phloroglucinol.  Chromatogr Sci. 2019 Jul 1;57(6):565-574. doi: 10.1093/chromsci/bmz029.

(3) Kaura T, Mewara A, Zaman K, Sharma A, Agrawal SK, Thakur V, Garg A, Sehgal R. Utilizing larvicidal and pupicidal efficacy of Eucalyptus and neem oil against Aedes mosquito: An approach for mosquito control.    Trop Parasitol. 2019 Jan-Jun;9(1):12-17. doi: 10.4103/tp.TP_35_18. Epub 2019 May 22.

Abstract. Background and objectives: Plant-based products can provide safe and biodegradable mosquito control agents. The essential oils have a strong odor due to complex secondary metabolites and exhibit lower density than that of water, which renders them suitable to form a thin layer above the water surface. The present study was designed to evaluate the larvicidal, pupicidal activity of Eucalyptus and neem oils against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus....Conclusions: Eucalyptus oil was more effective against mosquito larvae at lower concentration as compared to neem oil. It can, therefore, be utilized in the community in artificial and small temporary water bodies as an eco-friendly vector control measure in the era of increasing resistance to chemical insecticides.

(4)  Ajebli M, Eddouks M.  Eucalyptus globulus possesses antihypertensive activity in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats and relaxes isolated rat thoracic aorta through nitric oxide pathway.   Nat Prod Res. 2019 Apr 10:1-3. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1598992

Abstract. In the current study we determined the effect of the aqueous extract of leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (AEEG) in anesthetized normal and L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats and on rings of isolated thoracic aorta from Wistar rats at a dose of 160 mg/kg. Our results show that AEEG extract reduced systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure after repeated (7 days) oral administration of this extract in hypertensive rats. In addition, it was revealed from the present study that AEEG relaxed aortic rings in a dose-dependent (25-200 µg/ml) manner via the activation of nitric oxide production. Pre-treatment of aortic rings with indomethacin, glibenclamide, nifedipine or propranolol did not attenuate the AEEG-induced vasorelaxation. Our data elucidate the health-orientated virtues of using AEEG which may play an important role as an antihypertensive agent to reduce the burden of cardiovascular complications.