Tea Tree Oil Stops Mesothelioma Cells in Model
A recent study has suggested that tea tree oil can kill mouse mesothelioma cells in vitro. This indicates its potential usefulness in human mesothelioma, but more research is needed. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree in the myrtle family that is found in Australia. The tree oil has been traditionally used as a topical anti-fungal and antibiotic. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that the compound that is most likely responsible for the oil’s antiseptic properties is called “terpinen-4-ol.” In this study, researchers at the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences at The University of Western Australia examined the in vitro anticancer activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and terpinen-4-ol. They tested the substances…