Efficacy of two plant extracts against acne vulgaris: Initial results of microbiological tests and cell culture studies

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic dermatology Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 1061 - 1065
• Main Authors: Kılıç, Songül, Okullu, Sinem Öktem, Kurt, Özgür, Sevinç, Hakan, Dündar, Cihat, Altınordu, Fahim, Türkoğlu, Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-08-2019
• Subjects: acne; Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Acne Vulgaris - microbiology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; broth dilution method; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Flowers - chemistry; HaCaT; Humans; IL‐1α; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Propionibacterium acnes; Propionibacterium acnes - drug effects; SRD5A1; TNFα; Toxicity Tests; TNFα; acne; SRD5A1; broth dilution method; Propionibacterium acnes; IL-1α; HaCaT
• ISSN: 1473-2130; 1473-2165
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12814

Summary
Background
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by increased sebum production, inflammation, and colonization of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) on pilosebaceous follicles.
Aims
To determine the efficacy of two different plant extracts against P. acnes and to analyze the gene expression levels of IL‐1α, SRD5A1, and TNFα in HaCaT cells treated with these plant extracts.
Methods
Anti‐acne extract 1 (AE1) consisted of Juglans regia (walnut husk), Myrtus communis (myrtle leaves), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomilla flowers), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle leaves), and Rosa damascena (rose flowers). Anti‐acne extract 2 (AE2) contained Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (broccoli) and B. oleracea var. italica (cauliflower). The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were tested on two different P. acnes strains: the reference strain of P. acnes (ATCC 51277) and the clinical isolate from a patient. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the broth dilution method. Human keratinocyte cells were used for in vitro tests. Gene expression analyses were performed with RT‐qPCR.
Results
The MIC values of the extracts were below 1/2048 µg/mL. In the gene expression analysis, AE1 increased the expression level of TNFα (1.1719, P < 0.0001), suppressed the expression level of IL‐1α, SRD5A1 (0.0588, P = 0.0231; 0.3081, P = 0.0351), respectively. AE2 suppressed gene expression level of IL‐1α, SRD5A1, TNFα (0.3815, P = 0.0254; 0.3418, P = 0.0271; 0.1997, P = 0.0623).
Conclusions
Both herbal extracts demonstrated strong antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activity in this preliminary trial. In conclusion, the topical application of these botanical extracts can be good candidates for local acne treatment.