Antibacterial properties of the Vietnamese cajeput oil and ocimum oil in combination with antibacterial agents

J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol. 1992;36(3):303-9.

Abstract

Main antibacterially active agents obtained from plants-Cajeput essential oil--1,8 cineol, linalool, alpha-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, for example from Melalleuce leucadendron (Myrtaceae) as well as essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum (Labiatae) were combined in tests in vitro with selected antibiotics. Above mentioned plant products were found to be effective medicaments for local application in modern medical practice. Combinations with antibiotics potentiated their therapeutical action. On the basis of tests in vitro the synergistic action of these two kinds of medicaments, i.e., preparations traditionally used for a few last decades--antibiotics--might be well applied for therapeutical needs.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Terpenes / pharmacology
  • Yeasts / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Oils
  • Terpenes
  • ocimum oil
  • cajuput oil