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In burn units, odor is often underestimated or trivialized in relation to the critical context of the patients. However, their care is part of a concern for overall care, which also includes the caregiver and the visitor. The implementation of a project based on essential oils has allowed a team from the University Hospital of Toulouse to address this issue.

Clove essential oil is isolated from the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum from which many biological activities have been reported. The aim of this work was to develop a cream for topical use containing clove essential oil (HE) as an active ingredient and to test its biological activity.Clove EO was extracted by hydrodistillation, its chemical composition was analysed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG-SM). The EO was then incorporated into a cream where its stability was studied. The antifungal activity was evaluated by disc-diffusion method. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of EO and the cream was assessed y by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model.Clove EO contains two major constituents: eugenol (69.14%) and β-Caryophyllene (18.8%). The cream had good organoleptic and physicochemical properties. Both EO and the cream showed growth inhibitory effects on the two studied dermatophytes strains. The incorporation of EO in the cream provided a good anti-inflammatory activity, similar to the reference drug.The developed creme was stable, had good anti-inflammatory properties and moderate antifungal activity. Long-term stability studies and in vivo tests would lead to the use of clove essential oil in the development of new pharmaceutical forms.

The study of natural products is one of the strategies implemented for the discovery of new compounds that can be used in cancer therapy. Aromatic herbs and medicinal plants found in Algeria and their anti-angiogenesis and cytotoxic potentials against cancer have not been much explored.Our work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of the essential oil (EO) extracted from rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and its major (citronellol) and characteristic (linalool) constituents.The chemical composition of EO was determined with chromatographic analysis and revealed the presence of citronellol as the major compound (25.84%). A strong chelating power of terpene alcohols (IC50=1.58±0.23mg/mL for citronellol) was found, with a significant difference (P0.05) compared with the standard antioxidants used (L-ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyanisole). The EO is distinguished by an interesting anti-inflammatory effect with the lowest ICData demonstrated that rose-scented geranium EO has an antitumor potential on metastatic cancer cell lines. It is distinguished by its antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Medicinal plants might contain new molecules, with new structures, which could become lead candidate among future anticancer drugs.

Essential oils are highly concentrated products of a complex composition, obtained from plants. Their therapeutic use relies mostly on tradition and experience. Often few clinical trials are available. The quality and efficacy of only several essential oils are described in the European pharmacopeia and in monographs of the EMA. In addition, essential oils on the Belgian market have different statutes [medicine, food supplement, raw material...]. This results in a complicated legislation. Furthermore, the general public wrongly assumes that essential oils, because of their vegetal origin, can be used at any time without any danger. However, toxicological reactions are described after oral, topical and other routes of administration. Certain precautions need to be taken before using potentially hazardous essential oils. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable populations that need extra attention.

While sensitivity to odours varies from one individual to another, bad smells can instinctively and uncontrollably induce nausea and revulsion. Different treatment strategies can be implemented. They consist in neutralising the odours, adding more pleasant smells and/or targeting the bacteria. The management of odours remains a complex problem without any universal or single solution. Odour control must not be used as a replacement for adapted hygiene and wound care.

It was to determine the antibacterial spectrum of JCA 250 and JCA 251, two naturally occurring compounds from Aroma Technologies research, on a bacterial population isolated from clinical infections.Two hundred and twenty-four bacterial strains were tested. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of JCA 250 and JCA 251 were determined by agar dilution method. Tests were performed in triplicate.The mean MIC was 0.20% for JCA 250 and 0.15% for JCA 251. JCA 251 regularly exhibited greater activity. All Enterobacteriaceae were inhibited at concentrations less or equal to 0.15% for JCA 250 or JCA 251. For strict aerobes, the MIC values were more spread out. Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains differed from the population with JCA 251 MIC of 0.25 and 0.40%. Concerning Gram-positive cocci, all the strains were inhibited with less or equal to 0.25% of compound. The most resistant population were the Enterococci and the Lactobacilli, with MIC more or equal to 0.2% for JCA 250 or JCA 251. Anaerobes showed MIC closely grouped for a heterogeneous bacterial group. One Propionibacterium sp. strain came apart from the group and was inhibited with a MIC of 0.5%.The overall results showed an interesting antibacterial activity on bacteria isolated from clinical samples. Most of the bacterial strains were inhibited at a concentration of 0.2%. The highest mean values were obtained for commensal bacteria from the flora, which is of particular interest in this study.

Psychopharmacological properties of crude extract and essential oil of Lippia multiflora (Lm), a verbenacea of african traditional pharmacopea were investigated in rat using classical methods. The extract of Lm is constituted by an infusion of dried leaves. The essential oil is obtained by hydrodistillation of the dried leaves of Lm with a yield of 0.6%. A dilution of 1% is realised with distilled water and the dose of 2 ml/kg of this solution was chosen for this study. The wistar rats of both sexes weighting between 150 and 250 g are used. Animal's behaviour is observed macroscopically for 12 hours. The spontaneous motor activity is appreciated by method of Martin et al. slightly modified. The number of squares jumped by animals in a rectangular cage is determined in ten minutes. The traction test which measures the time necessary for restoration of posterior paws of rat on metallic bar and the duration of pentobarbital sleeping are used for evaluation of muscle relaxant and sedative effects, respectively. The effects of the two preparations of Lm on apomorphin stereotypies and hypothermia are used to investigate the eventual neuroleptic or antidepressant activity. Analgesic property is evaluated by using acetic acid method. The results are expressed as mean +/- SEM. Data are analysed by using the Dunnett's test. A probability level of 0.05 or less was considered to be stalistically significant. The two preparations of Lm at the doses used are well tolerated by rats. No macroscopic difference is observed in behavioural of control and treated groups. Crude extract and essential oil:--does not modify a spontaneous motor activity: control: 45.00 +/- 5.63; crude extract of Lm: 31.00 +/- 5.63; essential oil of Lm: 28.00 +/- 7.62; diazepam 4 mg/kg: 23.80 +/- 5.27 (P0.05);--caused an increase of the time necessary for the restoration of paws on the metallic bar in the traction test: control 1.20 +/- 0.25 sec; crude extract of Lm 5.60 +/- 0.57 sec (P0.01), essential oil of Lm. 3.60 +/- 0.57 sec (P0.01) diazepam 3.60 +/- 0.57 sec (P0.01). The differences between the results obtained with crude extract, essential oil and diazepam are significant;--caused a reduction of abdominal cramps induced by acetic acid, control: 26.80 +/- 0.41; crude extract of Lm: 17.00 +/- 1.45 (P0.01); essential oil of Lm: 9.20 +/- 1.91 (P0.01) and acetylsalicylic acid (Aspegic*) 25 mg/kg 5.40 +/- 1.25 (P0.01). The differences is significant between essential oil and crude extract (P0.05) but no significant difference is observed between essential oil and acetylsalicylate of lysin. No activity of the two preparations is observed on apomorphin stereotypia and hypothermia comparatively with haloperidol 4 mg/kg and clomipramin 16 mg/kg respectively. Those results confirm the tranquillizer and analgesic activities of Lm and reveal that the crude extract would be more muscle relaxant and the essential oil more analgesic.

Inhaled medications are widely used in patients suffering from bronchial diseases. Beside their pharmacological properties, nebulised solutions have physico-chemical characteristics that can alter bronchial reactivity. Non-isotonic solutions can induce a bronchial hyperresponsiveness and/or a severe bronchonconstriction. Nevertheless, multiple drugs are used for nebulisation despite their unknown osmolarity. The aim of this study was to measure the tonicity of drug solutions commonly used for nebulisation in patients suffering from bronchial disease. Drug solutions were prepared either according to manufacturer recommendations or by diluting the stock in 5 ml of NaCl (0.9%) or H2CO3 (0.14%). Although bronchodilatator solutions (i.e. salbutamol, terbulatine, ipratropium bromide) were nearly isotonic, some drugs prepared for nebulisation had either a very high (e.g. mesna, netilmicine) or a very low (e.g. gomenol, sodium cromoglycate) tonicity. These values may be responsible for bronchoconstriction. Some hypertonic solutions, prepared with drugs such as acetylcytein or netilmycin, are not commercialised for nebulisation but are commonly used for aerosol therapy. In addition, solutions initially isotonic could become significantly hypertonic towards the end of nebulisation. Taken together, these results suggest that non-isotonic solutions should be used with caution specially in patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, even when aerosol therapy is prescribed for upper airways.

Two samples of essential oils of Lippia sidoides Cham. have been tested for their antibacterial and antifungal properties against some microorganisms living on the skin of feet and armpits. The essential oils and also their main components, thymol and carvacrol, show strong antagonistic activities. Corynebacterium xerosis developing axillary odour is specially inhibited. But on the other hand no specific activities have been observed upon the feet microflora.

As part of an ongoing investigation on emulsifying techniques, we studied the influence of different essential oils from Thymus vulgaris on emulsion stability. All four chimiotypes tested (geraniol, linalol, carvacrol, and thymol) caused a marked decrease in stability. This instability cannot be explained by a change in the hydrophilic lipophilic balance since the HLBc of the new oil phase (essential oil + paraffine oil) was not significantly different from that of paraffine alone.

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the main aromatic and polyphenolic constituents of Mitcham type peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) tisane, were examined and compared with those of leaves before and after infusion. The original peppermint leaves contained 2.4% essential oil of which menthol was 0.99%, total polyphenolic compounds 19% and total flavonoid compounds 12% comprising eriocitrin 7%, luteolin-7-rutinoside 1.5%, hesperidoside 0.6% and total hydroxycinnamic compounds 7% (rosmarinic acid 1.4%). The tisane contained 21% of the original essential oil corresponding to 25 mg/l, with increased alcohol and ketone contents and lower contents of hydrophobic terpenecarbons, oxides and esters. It contained also a high proportion of the polyphenolic compounds (about 750 mg/l) corresponding to an extraction yield of 75%. In consequence the monograph "Peppermint leaf" of the Pharmacopoeia should be amended.

Many fungal airborne spora show allergenic effects. Indoor (dwelling, work rooms, hospital chambers) can be disinfected by elimination of living particles. We have undertaken experiments in more and more spacious bulks for evaluation of the antifungal effects of vapours of essential oils and some volatiles compounds. Results show that the Mucorales and Geotrichum resist strongly. On the contrary, the Cladosporium strains, some Aspergillus and Penicillium, Trichothecium roseum are the most sensitive, specially towards the citral vapours. Experiments in hospital can be undertaken.

Toxicity for albino rats is very low. In mice an anxiolytic effect is exhibited and the pentobarbital evokated sleeping time is increased in animals given essential oil, but this effect disappears if they are administrated during five days.

The following aromatherapy study reports the antimicrobial activity of eight Malagasy essential oils by the determination of their respective M.I.C. (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) on enteropathogenic and spoilage bacteria strains. The aromatic plants used were taken from the Labiatae family (Thymus vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum), the Myrtaceae family (Eugenia caryophyllata, Melaleuca viridiflora) and the Compositae (Helichrysum lavanduloides, H. bracteiferum, H. gymnocephalum, Psiadia altissima). Their inhibitory effect were tested on eight referied strains commonly used for antibiotic measurements and also on twelve others enteropathogenic bacteria strains. The results showed that three oils from Thymus vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum and Eugenia caryophyllata were particularly efficient with a large spectra action. We noticed that the essential oil of Melaleuca viridiflora had also a high inhibitory effect especially on Gram positive bacteria.

"Paragerm" is commonly used in hospitals where its bactericide action is well known. Preliminary tests have been carried out in the laboratory in order to study the antifungal power of this product. Variation of the different concentrations in the culture medium, variation of the time of contact between "Paragerm" and the fungus and both the mechanical and chemical effects of the product have shown that, among the species selected, certain were more sensitive and others more resistant to this solution and that, in our experimentation, "Paragerm" had a fungistatic effect.

Mice Swiss are orally given essential oil of lavander diluted at 1/60 in olive oil. Sedative effects are observed with some tests (hole board test, four plates test, plus-maze test, potentiation of barbiturate sleeping time). A significant interaction exists with pentobarbital: the sleeping time is increased and the asleeping time shortened.

The microbial growth inhibitory properties of some Lauraceae essential oils, Laurus nobilis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) and Ravensara anisata were studied by the determination of their respective M.I.C. (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration). Five bacterial strains, one fungi and two yeasts were used to evaluate the essential oils inhibitory capacities. These vegetable extracts, with decrease activity, were range also: C. zeylanicum--bark greater than R. anisata--bark greater than C. zeylanicum--leaves greater than L. nobilis greater than R. anisata--leaves. The essential oils extracted from cinnamon and R. anisata--bark were very interesting by their antifungic activities.