Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Tea plant [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

Many complementary and alternative medicines have enjoyed increased popularity in recent decades. Efforts
to validate their use have seen their putative therapeutic properties, which come under increasing scrutiny in vitro
and in some cases in vivo. One of such products is tea and its tree oil (TTO); which is a secondary metabolite
derived from tea plant (Melaleuca alternifolia). Both black and green tea has several polyphenolic compounds
with possible antibacterial effects. It is employed largely due to its antimicrobial properties, and is incorporated as
the active ingredient in many topical formulations used to treat cutaneous infections, in addition to being
marketed as a remedy for various ailments. The essential oil of M. alternifolia exhibits broad-spectrum
antimicrobial potential. The TTO may help to treat severe yeast infections. Results also suggested that TTO exerts
a greater bactericidal potency against biofilm-grown methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and
methicillin-sensitive Staph. aureus (MSSA) strains. Moreover, tea has inhibitory efficacy against the carcinogenic
bacteria.

Summary in Arabic