Alpha-Lipoic acid is a naturally-occurring compound belongs to Synthesis Agents. It is produced in our body and is also derived from the foods we eat. Lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid, is a relatively small molecule that plays a crucial role in our metabolic processes. It occurs in two forms, i.e. isomers called R and S, R being the natural form. Lipoic acid was initially discovered in potato extracts as a growth factor for bacteria. It was later isolated by Dr. Lester Reed and his colleagues at the University of Texas in Austin (Reed et al, 1951). Lipoic acid is now recognized as an important component of metabolic systems in all organisms from bacteria to humans. Its chemical name is 1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid. Lipoic acid is both lipid (fat)-soluble and water-soluble. This confers upon it certain unique physicochemical characteristics and provides a distinct advantage over other antioxidants.

Alpha-Lipoic acid has two important functions in our body. First, it serves as a coenzyme (i.e. facilitating the action of enzymes) in several metabolic pathways. Second, it is an important antioxidant (Packer et al, 1995).
 

Tea tree oil a kind of green tea extract has been recognized as a potent antiseptic in Australia anecdotally for much longer than there has been scientific evidence. However, recent studies support a role for tea tree oil in skin care and treatment of various ailments.

Tea tree oil has activity against staphylococcus aureus including MRSA, and when used at 10% concentration is comparable with mupirocin for application to the skin but has never been shown to cause resistance. However, this can occur at lower percentages. It is less successful for application in the nose.

Tea tree oil as well as grape seed extract and verbascoside are known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin. In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition.

Effectiveness of topical tea tree oil preparations for Candidiasis is supported by their ability to kill Candida in vitro.

In the treatment of moderate acne, topical application of 5% tea tree oil has shown an effect comparable to 5% benzoyl peroxide, albeit with slower onset of action. In another study in 2007 5% strength gel was compared against a placebo, with statistically significant results.

There is some very limited research that has shown that tea tree oil may have topical anti-viral activity, especially with the Herpes virus (cold sores, chicken pox and shingles blisters, etc.)

One study has shown a 5% tea tree oil solution to be more effective than commercial medications against the scabies mite in an in vitro situation.