In vitro susceptibility of Madurella mycetomatis, prime agent of Madura foot, to tea tree oil and artemisinin
1 Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2 Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan 3 Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Received 2 October 2006; returned 24 November 2006; revised 27 November 2006; accepted 3 December 2006
* Corresponding author. Tel: +31-10-4632176; Fax: +31-10-4633875; E-mail: w.vandesande{at}erasmusmc.nl
Objectives: Eumycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis is treated with surgery and high doses of itraconazole and ketoconazole. These agents are toxic, and new therapies are required.
Methods: MICs were determined for artemisinin and tea tree oil, two natural herbal compounds.
Results: Artemisinin was not active against M. mycetomatis, but tea tree oil did inhibit its growth. Since tea tree oil's prime component easily penetrates the skin, tea tree oil could be a useful agent in the treatment of eumycetoma.
Conclusions: Tea tree oil is active in vitro against M. mycetomatis.
Keywords: MICs , essential oils , mycetoma , itraconazole , ketoconazole