茶樹裡的小秘密 - 萜品烯-4-醇 (Terpinen-4-ol)

萜品烯-4-醇為一種單萜醇，最常與茶樹做連結，其被證明具有多樣益處。發表的研究認為萜品烯-4-醇最多佔茶樹化學組成的 48%。近日的研究顯示，萜品烯-4-醇或可支持健康，甚至具有局部清潔效用。實驗研究也已展現萜品烯-4-醇的舒緩功用。

茶樹對肌膚和毛髮的益處眾所週知。數個世紀以來，澳洲原住民皆以之舒緩皮膚敏感的不適及維持健康的毛髮。現代研究顯示此功能正來自高濃度的萜品烯-4-醇。臨床及實驗研究皆顯示茶樹對肌膚有益。另一個研究發現其能有效減少皮膚瑕疵出現，亦可促進肌膚外表的清透與健康。

實驗研究顯示，萜品烯-4-醇可以幫助提升防禦力及健康。

萜品烯-4-醇甚至在使用於口腔清潔時可幫助牙齒、牙齦及口腔看起來清潔與健康。

數個世紀以來，澳洲原住民皆將茶樹作為萬靈丹使用，而現代研究發現茶樹有益健康的特質背後的秘密之一即為高濃度的單萜醇：萜品烯-4-醇，含有萜品烯-4-醇的精油對健康皆有諸多益處。相關精油：茶樹精油、呵護系列 茶樹精油

參考文獻

1. Hart P, et al. Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), suppresses inflammatory mediator production by activated human monocytes. Inflamm. Res. Off. J. Eur. Histamine Res. Soc. 2000;49(11):619–626.
2. Nogueira M, Aquino S, Rossa C, Spolidorio D. Terpinen-4-ol and alphaterpineol (tea tree oil components) inhibit the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 on human Macrophages. Inflamm. Res. Off. J. Eur. Histamine Res. Soc. 2014;63(9):769–778.
3. Ninomiya K, et al. Suppression of inflammatory reactions by terpinen-4-ol, a main constituent of tea tree oil, in a murine model of oral candidiasis and its suppressive activity to cytokine production of macrophages in vitro. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2013;36(5):838–844.
4. Loughlin R, Gilmore B, McCarron P, Tunney M. Comparison of the cidal activity of tea tree oil and terpinen-4-ol against clinical bacterial skin isolates and human fibroblast cells. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 2008;46(4):428–433.
5. Z. Khalil Z, et al. Regulation of wheal and flare by tea tree oil: complementary human and rodent studies. J. Invest. Dermatol. 2004;123(4):683–690.
6. Raman A, Weir U, Bloomfield S. Antimicrobial effects of tea-tree oil and its major components on Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 1995;21(4):242–245.
7. Bozzuto G, Colone M, Toccacieli L, Stringaro A, Molinari A. Tea tree oil might combat Melanoma. Planta Med. 2011;77(1):54–56.
8. Greay S, et al. Induction of necrosis and cell cycle arrest in murine cancer cell lines by Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and terpinen-4-ol. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol.2010;65(5):877–888.
9. Wu C, et al. Terpinen-4-ol Induces Apoptosis in Human Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo. Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med. ECAM. 2012:818261.
10. Ninomiya K, et al. Suppression of inflammatory reactions by terpinen-4-ol, a main constituent of tea tree oil, in a murine model of oral candidiasis and its suppressive activity to cytokine production of macrophages in vitro. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2013;36(5):838–844.
11. Taga I, Lan C, Altosaar I. Plant essential oils and mastitis disease: their potential inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to bacteria related inflammation. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2012;7(5):675–682.
12. Ramage G, et al.. Antifungal, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory properties of tea tree oil and its derivative components: potential role in management of oral candidosis in cancer patients. Front. Microbiol. 2012; 3:220.
13. Ninomiya K, et al. The essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) and its main component, terpinen-4-ol protect mice from experimental oral candidiasis. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2012; 35(6):861–865.

【延伸閱讀】

• 一窺茶樹精油的奧秘
• 植物小知識 - 茶樹