Citrus oil and MgCl2 as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
BACKGROUND
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Dead Sea magnesium chloride (MgCl(2)), citrus oil, and their combination were investigated. Citrus oil is composed of monoterpenes, in particular D-limonene, which is known to inhibit growth of bacteria, fungi, and certain parasites.


METHODS
Inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis in vitro was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of a mixture of Dead Sea magnesium chloride and citrus oil and of each of the components. A subcutaneous chamber model in mice was used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the mixture and the individual components. Leukocyte migration, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion, and interleukin (IL)-10 secretion were determined. Hydrocortisone was used as a positive control.


RESULTS
Citrus oil had an antibacterial effect with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 mg/ml, whereas MgCl(2) at concentrations up to 10 mg/ml did not exhibit any antibacterial activity. However, a mixture of 10 mg/ml MgCl(2) and 0.25 mg/ml citrus oil dramatically increased inhibition of bacterial growth. The combination of MgCl(2) and the citrus oil resulted in lower levels of TNF-alpha and leukocyte migration while maintaining the levels of IL-10 compared to the control.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a mixture of citrus oil and MgCl(2) could be used as a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
Mizrahi
Boaz
B
Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
Shapira
Lior
L
Domb
Abraham J
AJ
Houri-Haddad
Yael
Y
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D016753:Interleukin-10