Abstract
Natural products used in the treatment of acne vulgaris may be promising alternative therapies with fewer side effects and without antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to formulate creams containing Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to be used in acne therapy. Spirulina platensis belongs to the group of micro algae and contains valuable active ingredients. The aim was to select the appropriate nonionic surfactants for the formulations in order to enhance the diffusion of the active substance and to certify the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Spirulina platensis-containing creams. Lyophilized Spirulina platensis powder (SPP) was dissolved in Transcutol HP (TC) and different types of nonionic surfactants (Polysorbate 60 (P60), Cremophor A6:A25 (CR) (1:1), Tefose 63 (TFS), or sucrose ester SP 70 (SP70)) were incorporated in creams as emulsifying agents. The drug release was evaluated by the Franz diffusion method and biocompatibility was tested on HaCaT cells. In vitro antioxidant assays were also performed, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were executed. Antimicrobial activities of the selected compositions were checked against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) with the broth microdilution method. Formulations containing SP 70 surfactant with TC showed the most favorable dissolution profiles and were found to be nontoxic. This composition also showed significant increase in free radical scavenger activity compared to the blank sample and the highest SOD enzyme activity was also detected after treatment with the cream samples. In antibacterial studies, significant differences were observed between the treated and control groups after an incubation time of 6 h.
Highlights
Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory skin disease involving pilosebaceous units and mainly affects adolescents
As the number of bacteria increase, inflammation occurs, which results in an immune response, but S. aureus is responsible for localized cutaneous infections [3]
Our results show that the drug release was better from compositions containing Tefose 63 (TFS) or SP 70 as the emulsifying agent, even without using Transcutol HP (TC), compared compositions containing TFS or SP 70 as the emulsifying agent, even without using TC, compared with the compositions containing Cremophor A6:A25 (CR) and P 60 emulsifiers
Summary
Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory skin disease involving pilosebaceous units and mainly affects adolescents. It has four main pathogenetic mechanisms: Increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, bacterial hypercolonization, and inflammation [1]. Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus) bacteria are the most common causes of skin inflammation and the formation of acne vulgaris [2]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be released from the impacted, damaged follicular walls and can influence the progress of inflammation. Antioxidants are beneficial for facilitating the repair of the damage caused by these free radicals; they can be used in acne therapy [1,4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
