User talk:MegH

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Hello, MegH, and welcome to Wikipedia! My name is Ian and I work with the Wiki Education Foundation; I help support students who are editing as part of a class assignment.

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Melaleuca alternifolia, Tea Tree Oil Updates
TTO used as a treatment for Acne vulgaris

TTO has a broad spectrum for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial activity, which are key components for non-specific cell membrane damage (Hammer, 2014, 106). In clinical trials for superficial disease cases including acne, oral candidiasis and molluscum contagiosum, where TTO products were utilized, show efficacy in treatment. Many OTC products include TTO as an active ingredient, specifically products targeted to treat acne. Product types vary from face and body cleansers, topical gels or ointments and spot treatments. Melaleuca oil is currently one of the most commonly used anti-acne botanical ingredients in the cosmetic industry (Kwon et al., 2014, 103). However, many products containing TTO as a topical treatment also contain another agent utilized for targeting acne including benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid or azalaic acid (Hammer, 2014, 106).

TTO and Acne

Many OTC products containing TTOs also utilize other acne agents due to the level of P. acnes varying from each individual. Due to evidence of antimicrobial activity in the bacteria, P. acnes, there is reasonable evidence to screen for anti-acne components (Kwon et al., 2014, 103). The antibacterial mode of action for conventional acne therapy using TTO has been clinically established against the bacteria, P. acnes (Hammer, 2014, 108). The second mode of action, anti-inflammatory activity, is critical due to inflammation being a major factor in acne pathogenesis (Hammer, 2014, 108). Anti-inflammatory agents attack inflammation that occurs before and after P. acnes colonies build up in sebaceous follicles (Hammer, 2014, 109). In vitro studies have shown that TTOs suppress changes in inflammation, therefore it is an effective agent for treating acne prone skin (Hammer, 2014, 109). TTO is an appropriate treatment option for mild to moderate acne where results include a decrease in acne lesion count and acne severity (Bagherani & Smoller, 2015, 404).

Supporting Evidence

Through the examination of several studies, it has been supported that the application of TTO products decreases the amount of lesions and the severity of acne in those with mild to moderate acne. TTO products have been compared to several other anti-acne products and in some cases TTOs have exhibited better results in decreasing the severity of acne while reducing the amount of lesions. The efficacy of TTOs targeting acne can be attributed to the modes of action within the properties of the oil, specifically antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Overall the effectiveness of TTO products in the treatment of acne is influenced by the concentration, the base formulation and the frequency of application. Due to TTO being an OTC product, if treatment has not shown improvement or has caused adverse effects individuals should seek clinical evaluation as their acne may be classified as severe.

References

1. Bagherani N and Smoller BR. 2015. Role of tea tree oil in treatment of acne. Dermatologic Therapy. 28 (6): 404.

2.Dover JS and Batra P. 2015. Light-based, adjunctive and other therapies for acne vulgaris. UpToDate. 1-4.

3.Hammer KA. 2014. Treatment of acne with tea tree oil (melaleuca) products: A review of efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 45: 106-110.

4.Lee CJ, Chen LW, Chen LG, Chang TL, Huang CW, Huang MC and Wang CC. 2013. Correlations of the components of tea tree oil with its antibacterial effect and skin irritation. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 21 (2): 169-176.

5. Kwon HH, Yoon JY, Park SY, Min S and Suh DH. 2014. Comparison of clinical and histological effects between lactobacillus-fermented chamaecyparis obtusa and tea tree oil for the treatment of acne: an eight-week double-blind randomized controlled split-face study. Dermatology. 229 (2): 102-109.

Capsicum

Antimicrobial Properties

Chilies contain capsaicinoids which are characterized as having antimicrobial properties (Tewksbury et al., 2008, 11808). Capsaicinoids are only found in Capsicum species fruit and the compounds concentration increases as the fruit ripens (Tewksbury et al., 2008, 11808). As a result of polymorphism, the presence of genetic variation within a population upon which natural selection can occur, capsaicinoid production can be found in multiple chili species (Tewksbury et al., 2008, 11808). As a result of the active component capsaicin in peppers, the fruit has been known for its anti-microbial defenses to protect wild chilies (Cates, 2015, 1). Research supports that capsaicinoids can effectively protect chili seeds from certain insects by adapting to the geographical region (Cates, 2015, 1).

Traditional Uses

Indigenous Mayan inhabitants incorporated Capsicum sp. into several medicinal practices (Cichewicz and Thorpe, 1996, 61). In 1931, Roys compiled a collection of 437 Mayan therapeutic remedies, in which 32 listed the tissue of Capsicum species as an ingredient (Cichewicz and Thorpe, 1996, 61). The collection included 29 cases where Capsicum fruits were singularly used as well as an addition to leaves, roots and seeds (Cichewicz and Thorpe, 1996, 61). These remedies were used to treat a range of ailments including but not limited to, respiratory problems, bowel complaints, earaches and sores (Cichewicz and Thorpe, 1996, 61). Infected wounds and fresh burns using Capsicum, had a record of 14 medicinal remedies which required the use of a fresh berry (Cichewicz and Thorpe, 1996, 62).

Bowel Complaints & Capsaicin

Bowel complaints can be related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is characterized as abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements (Bortolotti & Porta, 2011, 3288). IBS correlates to a visceral hypersensitivity as a result of increased behavior of TRPV(1) nerve fibers (Bortolotti & Porta, 2011, 3288). Studies have concluded that capsaicin from red pepper could desensitize the TRPV(1) fibers through administration of capsulated pills containing red pepper powder (Bortolotti & Porta, 2011, 3288). Results show that administration of red pepper powder for patients with IBS was a more effective treatment than a placebo treatment. Administration group patients reported a decrease in the intensity of abdominal pain and bloating (Bortolotti & Porta, 2011, 3293).

References: Bortolotti M and Porta S. 2011. Effect of red pepper on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: 	a preliminary study. Digestive and Disease Science. 56 (11): 3288-3295.

Cichewicz RH and Thorpe PA. 1996. The antimicrobial properties of chile peppers (capsicum species) and their uses in mayan medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 52 (2): 61-70.

Cates J. 2016. Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum). Budsinthenews. 6(10): 1-9.

Tewksbury J, Reagan K, Machnicki N, Carlo T, Haak D, Penaloza A and Levey D. 2008. Evolutionary ecology of pungency in wild chilies. PNAS. 105(33): 11808-11811.