Research Progress of Antibacterial Effects of Plant Volatile Oil and Their Delivery Systems

Volatile oil is a volatile aromatic substance obtained from plants and has good antibacterial activity. However, in the presence of oxygen, light and high temperature, the volatile oil components are easy to volatilize, oxidize, decompose and deteriorate. The application of hydrogel, microcapsule, liposome, nano-emulsion, Pickering emulsion and cyclodextrin inclusion compound in volatile oil components can effectively improve the stability and reduce irritation of volatile oil, while increasing the bacteriostatic effect of volatile oil, prolonging its time of action, and expanding the scope of its clinical application. This review summarizes the research progress of extraction methods, antibacterial effect and drug loading systems of plant volatile oil, so as to provide reference for the rational and effective utilization of volatile oil components.