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Animal / preclinicalGraefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2026

Tea tree oil action on human corneal epithelial cells biological activity.

Roman Paduch, Anna Matysik-Woźniak, Anselm G Jünemann, Robert Rejdak

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OphthalmologyAnimal / preclinical

Tea tree oil concentrations above 0.01% are toxic to corneal surface cells.

Tea tree oil action on human corneal epithelial cells biological activity.

Roman Paduch … Robert Rejdak

Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2026

Purpose

In ophthalmology, tea tree oil is used as an anti-infective and wound-healing compound.

Methods

It was shown that concentrations of TTO exceeding 0.01% may have adverse effects on corneal epithelial cells, reducing cell viability.

0.01%

Results

0.01%

corneal cells exposed to higher tea tree oil levels lost more viability

More results

It is also effective in combating parasitic eyelid infections.

Unfortunately, it has been linked to corneal epithelial defects when it contacts the ocular surface.

The IC50 (MTT assay) was 0.055% and the IC50 (NR uptake assay) was 0.1%.

More results

Moreover, these concentrations increased the level of IL-1β twofold and IL-6 2.5-fold compared to the untreated control measured by ELISA.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

We detected that the threshold concentration of TTO that can be considered safe for human corneal epithelial cells is 0.01% in in vitro tests.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Higher concentrations were toxic to corneal epithelial cells, leading to their morphological and metabolic changes.

Post

Tea tree oil action on human corneal epithelial cells biological activity.

Tea tree oil concentrations above 0.01% are toxic to corneal surface cells.

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