Guest guest Posted April 10, 2005 Report Share Posted April 10, 2005 Note that the oil used in this study was the linalool variety ... *Smile* Chris (list mom) All In Stock Perfume Bottles and Aroma Pendants On Sale Through Earth Day(Or While Supplies Last) <http://www.alittleolfactory.com/> http://www.alittleolfactory.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.sums.ac.ir/~ijms/9734/zolfagha9734.html CLINICAL TRIAL OF EFFICACY OF MYRTLE OIL IN THE TREATMENT OF HERPES SIMPLEX M.E. Zolfaghari, P. Salamian, A. Riazi, G. Khaksa Pharmaceutical Research Center, Darou-Pakhsh Co., Tehran, Iran ABSTRACT The efficacy of an essential oil (myrtle oil) of Myrtus communis linn in the treatment of type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infection was investigated. A double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial of topical myrtle oil ointment and matching placebo was carried out in 80 patients with HSV-1 infection (myrtle oil; n = 60, and placebo; n = 20). Patients were instructed to apply the ointment 3 to 5 times a day for up to 5 days. Total duration and severity of clinical signs and symptoms in all patients (time of healing, complete crusting of lesions, pain and itching) were significantly reduced in test group by day 2, (p<0.01) compared with placebo-treated group. Irn J Med Sci 1997; 22(3 & 4):137. Keywords: herpes simplex, antiviral drugs Introduction Herpes simplex is one of the most common skin and mucosal infections affecting almost 33% of the general population and its incidence is on the rise. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection of the lips and/or facial area (herpes labialis, cold sores, fever blister) tends to occur more frequently and more severely.8,10,11 Herpes simplex infection is treated with topical antiviral agents such as acyclovir<sup>9, and iodoxuridine. The concerns about the safety and potential side effects of these drugs prompted us to search for alternative therapeutic agents among the natural resources. Many plants have been identified and evaluated for their antiviral activities in recent years.3,4,6,15 M. communis belongs to the family of myrtaceae. It is an ever-green plant that grows abundantly in damp places in temperate climates, such as riverbanks. The plant can be collected throughout the year, however, the aerial parts of the plant (ripe berries and leaves) which contain an essential volatile oil (myrtle oil) are collected at the end of spring. M. communis has been used, since ancient times in perfumery, and in the eastern traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections, skin diseases, and diarrheal conditions.5 Antimicrobial<sup>2 and antifungal properties have also been ascribed to myrtle oil. As mouth wash, it is commonly used in the treatment of aphthous stomatitis. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy and possible antiviral activity of myrtle oil on HSV type 1 infection. Patients and Methods To obtain the myrtle oil, the plant was authenticated, dried and the essence of dry powdered aerial parts were extracted for four hours with water using a cleavenger. The yield of the procedure was 1.2% w/w of essence to dry plant. A total of 80 patients of both sexes in an age range of 2-53 years with clinically diagnosed HSV infection were enrolled in this clinical trial. After obtaining informed consents they were randomly assigned to receive either myrtle oil (n = 60) or placebo (n = 20), on a double-blind bases. The treatment was begun once lesions were present. Patients were given a tube containing five grams of myrtle oil ointment or the placebo, and they were instructed to smear them as a thin film over the affected area 3 to 5times a day for up to 5 days. Patients were clinically monitored and skin changes were evaluated first after 48 hours and then at regular daily intervals until complete healing had occurred. Clinical assessments included recording the presence of symptoms (e.g., itching, pain, burning) and their severity was graded as: 0 = none; + = mild; ++ = moderate; +++ = severe. The stage of lesions (erythema, papule, vesicle, ulcer/crust), were scored on a percent basis. Results Application of myrtle oil ointment was associated with a reduction in the duration of lesions as well as local pain and itching in the study group as compared with placebo recipients. Out of 60 patients treated with myrtle oil, 22 (36.7%) were completely healed (Fig. 1), 37 (61.7%) were cured between 50% and 100% (loss of crust but not completely healed), while only one patient showed recovery below 50%. Meanwhile, the placebo recipients showed a recovery of under 25% (presence of lesions). The mean duration of healing time was 3 days in test group, and was significantly shorter than that in placebo-treated group (5 days) (p<0.01). No significant differences were detected for other evaluated parameters (i.e., age, sex, duration of infection and size of the lesions), between the test formula and placebo-treated group. The acute oral LD<sub>50</sub>'s were 3.7 ml/kg in rats and 2.2 ml/kg in mice.13 The allergic reaction was tested in guinea-pigs following application of the ointment and matching placebo. No allergic reactions were observed except an erythema developed at the site of application with test formula after the end of the 3rd day. One patient, however, reported adverse reaction. Discussion The results of our study indicates that two days after application of the myrtle oil ointment, the healing rate of herpes simplex was 100% in 22 (36.7%), and between 50% to 100% in 37 (61.7%) patients. Although one patient had a score below 50%, it is still better compared to that of placebo group with 25% recovery after five days of application. HSV type 1 infections are more severe in patients with impaired cellular immunity; a simple fever blister of the lips may progress to pneumonia, or disseminated disease.14 Acyclovir and iodoxuridine are synthetic drugs with proven antiviral activities that are widely used against herpes viruses, particularly HSV type 1 (herpes labialis)12, and genital herpes.7 The lack of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antihistaminic properties of these synthetic drugs has led to the development of alternative natural-based therapeutic agents with high specific activity against HSV type 1 and 2, that modifies the course and management. Anti-inflammatory activity of M. communis extract in intact rats has been reported previously.1 Having this property, and on account of our results, myrtle oil ointment, exhibited very promising antiviral efficacy against HSV type 1 with little side effects. The mechanism by which the test formula exerts its antiviral effect is unclear and requires further study. References 1 Al-Hindawi MK, et al.: Anti-inflammatory action of some Iraq plant using intact rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1989; 26: 163-8. 2 Al-Zohyri AM, et al.: Cardiovascular and antimicrobial effects of Myrtus communis. Indian J Pharmacol 1985; 17: 233-5. 3 Hayashi K, et al.: Virucidal effects of the steam distillate from Houttuynia cordata and its components on HSV-1, influenza virus, and HIV. Planta Med 1995; 61: 237-41. 4 Matsuo R, et al.: Effects of traditional chinese herbal medicine, Kanzo-bushito, on the resistance of thermally injected mice infected with herpes simplex virus type-1.Int J Immunopharmacol 1994; 16: 855-63. 5 Nadkami KM: Indian Material. Medica 1982; 1: 838. 6 Nagasaka K, et al.: Efficacy of Kakkon-to, a traditional herbal medicine in herpes simplex virus type-1 infection in mice. J Med Virol 1995; 46(1): 28-34. 7 Nilsen AE, et al.: Efficacy of oral acyclovir in the treatment of initial recurrent genital herpes. Lancet 1982; 11: 571-3. 8 Overall JC Jr: Antiviral chemotherapy of oral and genital herpes simplex virus infections. In: Nahmisa A, Dowdle W, Schinazi R (eds): The human herpes viruses: an interdisciplinary perspective. New York: Elsevier 1981; pp: 447-65. 9 Schaeffer HJ, et al.: 9-(2-hydroxymethylocymethyl) guanine activity against viruses of the herpes group. Nature 1978; 272: 583-5. 10 Ship II, et al.: Recurrent aphthous ulcerations and recurrent herpes labialis in a professional school population. 1. Exper Oral Surg 1960; 13: 1191-202. 11 Ship II, et al.: The patient with recurrent aphthous ulcers and the patient with recurrent herpes labialis: a study of two populations samples. J Am Dent Assoc 1967; 75: 645-54. 12 Spruance SL, et al.: Treatment of herpes simplex labialis with Topical acyclovir in polyethylene glycol. J Infect Dis 1982; 146: 85-90. 13 Uehleke H, et al.: Oral toxicity of an essential oil from myrtle and adaptive liver stimulation. Toxicol 1979; 12: 335-42. 14 Wade JC, Meyers JD: Neurologic symptoms associated with parenteral acyclovir treatment after marrow transplantation. Ann Intern Med 1983; 98: 921-5. 15 Zheng MS, Luzy: Antiviral effect of magniferin and isomagniferin on herpes simplex virus. Chin Med J Engl 1990; 103(2): 160-5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.