Nematicidal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, commonly known as tea tree oil (TTO), was assayed in vitro against L3 larvae of Anisakis simplex. The results showed a mortality of 100% for concentrations between 7 and 10 mu L/mL after 48 h of incubation, obtaining an LD50 value of 4.53 mu L/mL after 24 hours and 4.27 mu L/mL after 48 hours. Concentration-dependent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase was observed for tea tree essential oil showing inhibition values of 100% at 100 mu L/mL. This fact suggests that TTO may act as an AChE inhibitor. Terpinen-4-ol was discarded as main larvicide compound as it did not show larvicidal or anticholinesterase activity. The data obtained suggest that the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia may have a great therapeutic potential for the treatment of human anisakiasis.
        
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Gomez-Rincon C, Langa E, Murillo P, Valero MS, Berzosa C, Lopez V (2014) Activity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil against L3 Larvae of Anisakis simplex Biomed Res Int2014: 549510
Gomez-Rincon C, Langa E, Murillo P, Valero MS, Berzosa C, Lopez V (2014) Biomed Res Int2014: 549510