Anti-acne Activities Research Articles

New insights from the integration of dapsone, flutamide, tea tree oil, and rose oil as a topical combined microemulsion for the management of Acne Vulgaris: Design, development, and in vitro/in vivo characterization

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a multifactorial sebaceous glands disorder resulting from androgen receptor activation associated with follicular colonization by bacteria. Oral administration of the androgenic antagonist flutamide (FLU) and the antibacterial dapsone (DAP) may cause several side effects. Hence, this study aimed to design a topical microemulsion (ME) combining these drugs to manage AV. Drugs solubility was examined in different oils, surfactants and cosurfactants. Pre-formulation and compatibility studies were performed. The selected MEs were characterized to determine one ME to be investigated regarding stability, and skin irritation as well as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acne activities. Based on the in vitro characterization of the selected MEs, o/w ME (F1) based on 15 % w/w oils (tea tree oil (TTO)/rose oil (RO)) and 40%w/w of tween 20 as surfactant together with transcutol p as co-surfactant was chosen as the optimized ME. The results revealed that F1 showed acceptable pH, viscosity, conductivity, and droplet size (172.6 ± 9.7 nm). The in vitro release and ex vivo permeation of DAP and FLU were efficiently enhanced by their combination in F1. Moreover, F1 exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Topical application of F1 resulted in low expression levels of interleukin 1β associated with a reduction in the number of androgenic receptors (AR). In conclusion, F1 could be suggested as a combination topical therapy to control AV via its anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, and antimicrobial activities.

Surfactin as an ingredient in cosmetic industry: Benefits and trends.

Surfactin is a natural surfactant almost exclusively produced by Bacillus species with excellent physical-chemical, and biological properties. Among innovative applications, surfactin has been recently used as an ingredient in formulations. The antibacterial and anti-acne activities, as well as the anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, and cleansing features, are some of the reasons this lipopeptide is used in cosmetics. Considering the importance of biosurfactants in the world economy and sustainability, their potential properties for cosmetic and dermatological products, and the importance of patents for technological advancement in a circular bioeconomy system, the present study aims to review all patents involving surfactin as an ingredient in cosmetic formulas. This review was conducted through Espacenet, wherein patents containing the terms "cosmetic" and "surfactin" in their titles, abstracts, or claims were examined. Those patents that detailed a specific surfactin dosage within their formulations were selected for analysis. All patents, irrespective of their publication date, from October 1989 to December 2022, were considered. Additionally, a comprehensive search was performed in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, spanning from their inception until the year 2023. This complementary search aimed to enrich the understanding derived from patents, with a specific emphasis on surfactin, encompassing its associated advantages, efficacy, mechanisms of action on the skin, as well as aspects related to sustainability and its merits in cosmetic formulations. From the 105 patents analysed, 75% belong to Japan (54), China (14), and Korea (9). Most of them were submitted by Asian companies such as Showa Denko (15), Kaneka (11) and Kao Corporation (5). The formulations described are mainly emulsions, skincare, cleansing, and haircare, and the surfactin dose does not exceed 5%. Surfactin appears in different types of formulas worldwide and has a high tendency to be used. Surfactin and other biosurfactants are a promising alternative to chemical ingredients in cosmetic formulations, guaranteeing skin health benefits and minimizing the impact on the environment.

Development and Characterization Silver Nitrate Nanoparticles Gel containing Benzoyl peroxide for the Treatment of Acne

Acne is a type of skin infection. It usually happens during puberty, when the sebaceous (oil) glands begin to function. Androgens are produced by the male and female adrenal glands and stimulate the glands. Acne vulgaris is a type of acne that means "common acne." It is a skin infection caused by sebaceous gland changes. The red colour is caused by skin inflammation caused by infection in the skin. Acne is a general skin condition that is associated with pimples and is common among teenagers. An anti-acne gel of Benzoyl peroxide containing silver nanoparticle was prepared using carbopol as a polymer and water as a solvent, and then incorporated into a topical gel using a magnetic stirrer. The product was checked for its physicochemical properties. The prepared gel’s pH, spread ability, drug content, viscosity, drug release, and antibacterial activity were statistically optimized and evaluated. The antibacterial and anti-acne activities of the various formulations were checked and compared with commercially available formulations using a modified agar well diffusion method for Staphylococcus aureus cultures. Prepared topical gel of Benzoyl peroxide was shown the pH range 5 to 6, viscosity 434±36.56 to 651±41.43 cp, spread ability range 15.29 to 24. 51g.cm/sec, zone of inhibition ranges 12.23 to 21.65mm, drug content ranges 91.26±0.74 to 98.74±0.63%, the drug release of gel formulation was after 12 hour was 80.74 to 71.52. The preparation of silver nanoparticles and incorporation into the Benzoyl peroxide-containing gel were done successfully. Various evaluations, i.e., the physiochemical analysis, spread ability, viscosity, drug content, drug release, and antibacterial study were done. This study demonstrates that the gel has a good texture, is easily spreadable, has high bioavailability, and is effective in treating acne.

Potential anti-acne loaded nanogel formulations of Origanum majorana L. and Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. essential oils

Acne is a highly prevalent skin disease with a great psychological impact on patients as self-perception, self-confidence, and depression. This work aimed to develop an anti-acne preparation from active anti-bacterial medicinal plants to circumvent the severe side effects and drug resistance commonly reported with topical erythromycin anti-acne preparations. Essential oils: Salvia officinalis L. (sage), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), Commiphora myrrha Nees Engl. (myrrh), Origanum majorana L. (marjoram), Pelargonium zonale L. L’Hér. ex Aiton (geranium) and Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (chrysanthemum) were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-acne activities of the oils against Cutibacterium acnes ATCC 6919 were evaluated by microdilution methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The most active essential oils were loaded in a film-forming nanogel prepared with chitosan, pluronic F127 and glycerol in the ratio of 3:1:1, prior to investigation in a murine acne in vivo model. Marjoram and chrysanthemum oils showed the highest antimicrobial activity against C. acnes (MIC = 0.156% v/v and 0.125% v/v, respectively). GC/MS of the actives showed that gamma-terpinene (26.46%) and terpinen-4-ol (22.24%) were the predominant constituents in marjoram, whereas chrysanthenone (32.79%) was the main component in chrysanthemum. The formulated essential oil-loaded film-forming nanogels of both oils exhibited significant anti-acne activity in mice via reducing the bacterial loads, activating the antioxidant nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and inhibiting the inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) pathway. Further studies should be designed to evaluate the clinical evidence for the use of marjoram and chrysanthemum oil products in acne treatment.Graphical

Anti-acne activity of carnitine salicylate and magnolol through the regulation of exfoliation, lipogenesis, bacterial growth and inflammation.

Salicylic acid has been used as an anti-acne agent with its comedolytic property and antimicrobial activity. However, there is a limit to use for leave-on cosmetics because of the transient skin irritation and low efficacy at neutral pH condition. We prepared a salicylic acid-based ionic pair with L -carnitine (we named, IP-BHA) overcoming the limitation of salicylic acid. We examined the effect of IP-BHA as well as the combination effect with magnolol, a bioactive organic lignan, in order to clarify their efficacy as anti-acne agents. After verifying the structure of IP-BHA, we confirmed anti-acne activities including the regulation of exfoliation, lipogenesis, bacterial growth, and inflammation with IP-BHA and/or magnolol. The antibacterial activity of IP-BHA and magnolol was evaluated by determining the minimum antibacterial inhibitory concentration. Magnolol showed strong activity against Cutibacterium acnes, which was better than a medical antibiotic acne drug, clindamycin. The combined application with IP-BHA was more effective in antibacterial activity by 2.5 times. It was confirmed that testosterone-induced lipogenesis was significantly inhibited by treatment with IP-BHA and magnolol, while single treatment had no significant inhibitory effect. Interestingly, MMP-1 and VEGF were induced by C. acnes lysate in human keratinocytes. We found that these inflammatory molecules were completely inhibited by combined application of IP-BHA and magnolol. Through ex vivo test, the dose-dependent exfoliation effect of IP-BHA was confirmed at pH 5.5, and the synergic exfoliation effect was shown in the combined application of IP-BHA and magnolol. When topically applied, the emulsion containing IP-BHA and magnolol relieved the sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced erythema and improved inflamed acne with papule and pustule. Our data demonstrate that the ionic paired salicylic acid with L -carnitine can overcome the limitations of salicylic acid at low concentration and natural skin pH. Based on the dual administration effects, we suggest that IP-BHA and magnolol may be the potential agent for acne by improving inflammatory skin condition.

Pineapple fruit extract (Ananas comosus L. Merr) as an antioxidant and anti-acne agent made with the nano-emulsion gel delivery system

Background: Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr) contains a lot of fibre, minerals, and vitamins. Consequently, it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic benefits. Objective: The purpose of this research was to produce pineapple extracts in the form of nano-emulsion gel for more effective use as an antioxidant and anti-acne. Method: The extraction was done by maceration. The resulting extracts were formulated with tween 20 and propylene glycol, while kollisolv PYR served as the oil phase. A nano-emulsion was then formed and formulated into a gel. Result: In this study, the nano-emulsion gel produced was transparent yellowish-white, slightly viscous, with a characteristic odour, a particle size of 10.8 nm ± 0.5, a polydispersity index of 0.239 Ð ± 0.1 and a zeta potential of -33.6 mV ± 1.3. The ability of this nano-emulsion gel to spread was good, 10.28 cm - 14.48 cm, with 1.31 seconds of adhesion and the result of the viscosity test of 3667.4 ± 106.03 cP. In the antioxidant test, the %RSA was produced in the range of 17.70 - 70.32% and the IC50 value was 0.1 µg/mL so it was included in the category of very strong antioxidant. While the anti-acne test has an average bacterial inhibition zone of 10.5 mm ± 0.1 which is in the category of strong anti-acne. Conclusion: It was concluded that pineapple fruit extract with a nano-emulsion gel base can produce good nanoparticle preparations, which have very strong antioxidant and anti-acne activities.

Antiacne and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Phenolic Compounds from Quercus acutissima Carruth. Leaves.

Quercus plants are widely distributed in Korea and have been used for their antiallergic and anti-inflammatory properties to treat dermatitis. The phenolic compounds of Quercus acutissima Carruth (QA) are estimated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, based on the results of previous studies with Quercus mongilica, Quercus stenophylla, Quercus gilva Blame., and Quercus acuta Thunb. We yield QA extract and the isolated phenolic compounds (hyperoside (1), astragalin (2), kaempferol 3-O-(6″- galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (KGG) (3), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (QGG) (4), pedunculagin (5), and casuarinin (6)) and were identified using NMR. Among them, KGG (3) and QGG (4) were isolated for the first time from QA. QA extract and the isolated phenolic compounds demonstrated antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiacne activities in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells in vitro. 3-6 demonstrated strong inhibitory activities in the DPPH scavenging and NO production assay and anti-inflammatory and antiacne activities through western blotting (NLRP3, IL-1β, and 5α-reductase). The most outstanding activity in all experiments was casuarinin (6). The study findings suggest potential therapeutic candidates for acne.

Anti-Aging, Anti-Acne, and Cytotoxic Activities of Houttuynia cordata Extracts and Phytochemicals Analysis by LC-MS/MS

Although many biological properties of Houttuynia cordata have been found, its anti-aging and anti-acne effects have not yet been investigated. This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-aging and anti-acne activities of H. cordata extracts and their cytotoxic activities and phytochemicals analyzed with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Dried aerial parts of H. cordata were given different extractions. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained were named HCA and HCE, respectively, and used to screen total phenolic and flavonoid contents. In vitro anti-aging, skin-related antimicrobial, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro cytotoxic, and LC-MS/MS analyses were performed. The total phenolic contents of the HCA and HCE were 5.11 ± 0.25 and 27.02 ± 1.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry extract while their total flavonoid contents were 104.94 ± 5.16 and 571.86 ± 2.86 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g dry extract, respectively. The HCA and HCE inhibited the activities of collagenase (28.33–46.00%), elastase (30.00–34.33%), and hyaluronidase (93.87–98.72%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the HCA against Cutibacterium acnes DMST14916 were 5.77 and 5.77 mg/mL while those of the HCE were 2.47 and 2.47 mg/mL, respectively. Cell collapses of C. acnes after treatment with the extracts were observed with SEM. The HCE was not toxic to macrophages, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts up to 400 mg/mL. The HCA showed toxicity against macrophages at 62.5 mg/mL and both skin cells at 250 mg/mL. The main phytochemicals in the extracts were identified with LC-MS/MS. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and flavonoid derivatives in H. cordata extracts could be major phytochemicals to possess a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-aging activities. The findings from this study showed that the HCE has potential anti-aging and anti-acne properties while having non-cytotoxic activities on the immune and skin cells. These results indicate that the extract is probably advantageous in the development of skincare cosmeceutics and beauty treatments.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-acne activities of stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) propolis

We collected stingless bee propolis Tetragonula biroi in order to find materials for medicine and cosmetics applications from tropical rainforest resources. Even though this bee has some biological functions including a cancer cell line, hair growth promotion, asthma remedy, α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, and antiviral action, the investigation on anti-acne has not been reported yet. This study was to focus on propolis Tetragonula biroi extracts and leads us to isolate active compounds for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acne. We used methanol to obtain the extract from this propolis and assayed it with antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and anti-acne. The extract showed strong activity in antioxidants by DPPH radical scavenging activity (82.31% in 6.25 μg/ml). Via a column chromatography and Reveleris PREP purification system, we isolated 3’–O–methyldiplacone, nymphaeol A, and 5,7,3′,4′–tetrahydroxy–6–geranyl flavonol. These compounds showed potential biological activity with IC50 for antioxidant 6.33, 15.49, 17.32 μM; and antiinflammatory 121.54, 121.20, 117.31 μM. The isolated compounds showed anti-acne properties with properties 0.00, 14.11, and 13.78 mm for the inhibition zone (at a concentration of 1 μg/well), respectively. The results indicated that the propolis extract of Tetragonula biroi has the potential to be developed as a cosmetic agent; however, further work needs to be done to clarify its application.

Immunomodulatory efficacy of Cousinia thomsonii C.B. Clarke in ameliorating inflammatory cascade expressions

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCousinia thomsonii is traditionally known for treating various diseases including joint pain, swelling, body ache, asthma, dermatitis, cough and arthritis. Aim of the studyThis study employs lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory wistar-rat model to evaluate efficacy of Cousinia thomsonii active-extracts on the expression of crucial inflammatory markers viz. iNOS, PPAR-γ, Rel-A, COX-2 and serum analysis of CRP. Materials and methodsMethanol and aqueous extracts were administered orally at 25, 50, 100 mg/kg doses for 21 days. Serum was collected on 22nd day and rats were sacrificed to extract paw tissues. Dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) served as positive control. Immunoblotting and qPCR was used for expression analysis of iNOS, PPAR-γ, Rel-A, COX-2 respectively. ELISA was employed for evaluating CRP levels. Discovery-studio and Auto-Dock-Vina were used to check docking interactions of various identified compounds. ResultsBoth extracts caused dose-dependent decline in iNOS, Rel-A, COX-2 and CRP levels, while there was a dose-dependent increase in PPAR-γ expression. Methanol extract dominated immunomodulatory potential as compared with the aqueous extract. The results of the GCMS revealed the presence of ten compounds. Some of these compounds include 1-Octacosanol, Ethyl Linoleate, 1-Heptacosanol, 1-Hexadecanol, 1-Dodecanol and Behenic alcohol having strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-acne and anti-viral activities. Molecular Docking scores were calculated between each target protein and selected compounds. The best affinity/interactions were observed between 1-Octacosanol towards iNOS, PPAR-γ, Rel-A, COX-2 and CRP with binding energy of −10.4, −11.1, −8.6, −9.9 and −7.9 (kcal/mol) respectively. These compounds may act as strong inhibitors for iNOS, Rel-A, COX-2 and CRP or as agonists for PPAR-γ; thereby inducing anti-inflammatory/immuno-modulatory activities. ConclusionsThe results indicate that Cousinia thomsonii contains therapeutically active compounds and thus could serve as potential therapeutic regimen against diverse inflammatory diseases.

Antiglycation, antioxidant, antiacne, and photoprotective activities of crude extracts and triterpene saponin fraction of Sapindus saponaria L. fruits

Objective: To evaluate the photoprotective, antioxidant, antiglycation, and antiacne activities of crude extract (CESs) and triterpene saponin fraction (TSSs) of Sapindus saponaria. Methods: HPLC-MS purification was performed on a Symmetry TM C18 column. The saponins were identified by a UV detector. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and O2 - radicals scavenging, and FRAP and TBARS assays. Glycation activity was assessed by relative electrophoretic mobility and inhibition of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. Additionally, antiacne activity was determined by inhibition of Cutibacterium acnes, and photoprotective effect was evaluated by Mansur’s method. Results: Most of the triterpene saponins detected in the fraction by HPLC-MS analysis were hederagenin as the aglycon. CESs and TSSs presented varying antioxidant activity in DPPH (CESs: 75.69% and TSSs: 83.65%), FRAP (CESs: 425.39 μM TE/g DW and TSSs: 649.36 μM TE/g DW), TBARS (CESs: 42.96% and TSSs: 52.16%) and O2 - radicals scavenging (CESs: 61.33% and TSSs: 86.69%) tests. CESs and TSSs also exhibited antiglycation activity comparable to bovine serum albumin treated with aminoguanidine. In addition, CESs and TSSs showed inhibition of AGE formation (34.48% and 61.85%, respectively). Antiacne activity against Cutibacterium acnes was observed with a minimum inhibitory concentration equal to minimum bactericidal concentration (CESs: 36.11 μg/mL and TSSs: 18.34 μg/mL). In photoprotective assays, CESs and TSSs showed maximum absorbance of 1.42 to 0.20 and 2.80 to 1.30, respectively, in the wavelength range of 260 to 400 nm. Furthermore, CESs and TSSs showed sun protection factors of 8.89 and 14.89, respectively. Conclusions: Sapindus saponaria fruit extracts show strong antioxidant potential and antiglycation activity against bovine serum albumin glycation and AGE formation. Besides, they presented antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes and photoprotective effect against UV-A and UV-B.

Evaluation of in vitro anti-acne activities of Ocimum basilicum L. water extract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is rich in phenolic compounds with various bioactivities, which makes it a potential cosmeceutical ingredient. This study aimed to investigate the bioactivities of O. basilicum L. water extract (OBWE) for its application in anti-acne cosmeceutical. To improve the content of antioxidants, the extraction condition was optimized as follows: 1:20 g/mL of material-to-solvent, 1 h of extraction time at temperature of 90 ℃. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of OBWE identified 931 and 370 metabolites, including bioactive compounds like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, linalool and eugenol. The extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging activities. The inhibition zone of OBWE to Cutibacterium (C.) acnes was 18.71 mm diameter, which was significantly larger than 10.87 mm of 0.1 % salicylic acid. Moreover, treatment with OBWE significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced accumulations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, interleukin 1-β) in THP-1 macrophages. Thus, OBWE showed a two-fold benefit for acne treatment by inhibiting proliferation of C. acnes and suppressing the bacterial-induced inflammation. In summary, our results suggest OBWE as a natural product with potential anti-acne effects.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF Impatiens balsamina (L.): LITERATURE REVIEW ARTICLE

The human body contains a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. The most common bacteria and fungi caused skin pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Candida albicans. Many studies have found that Impatiens balsamina (L.) contains antibacterial and antifungal activities. Acne and Candidiasis are diseases that often arise and can interfere with comfort for sufferers. Usually, acne is caused by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus, and Candidiasis caused by the Candida albicans. One of the plants that is widely used as an antiacne and antifungal treatment is the Impatiens balsamina (L.). Impatiens balsamina (L.) has antiacne and antifungal activities. The purpose of the review is to find out if the Impatiens balsamina (L.) has activity as an antiacne, antifungal and can identify secondary metabolites that can inhibit the emergence of bacteria in acne and candidiasis in various journals. The method used is the Literature Review Article (LRA) method. A search through Google Scholar and Pubmed found 12 articles that Impatiens balsamina (L.) contains secondary metabolites, namely flavonoids and saponins. The mechanism of action of flavonoids is by inhibiting the function of cell membranes and energy metabolism of bacteria, while the mechanism of action of saponins as antifungals is by damaging cell membranes, causing cell leakage which ultimately leads to cell death. From the two mechanisms, these secondary metabolites can have antiacne and antifungal activities.

Antiacne Effects of PVA/ZnO Composite Nanofibers Crosslinked by Citric Acid for Facial Sheet Masks

The water-insoluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers containing ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by an electrospinning technique for antiacne facial masks. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles prepared by a sol-gel method were dispersed in aqueous PVA and citric acid solution for electrospinning. The electrospun nanofibers were treated at 160°C to induce the thermal crosslinking between PVA and citric acid. The crosslinked PVA with citric acid become water-insoluble, which can be used for facial masks. PVA/ZnO composite nanofibers were characterized by structural and morphological analysis techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Also, the swelling ratios according to the ZnO content (0, 1, 4, and 7 wt.% with respect to PVA) were measured. Antibacterial activity tests were also studied. The clear zone of Cutibacterium acnes of PVA/ZnO 7% nanofibers was 2.25 mm, indicating antiacne activities of nanofibers.

Screening of Antioxidant and Anti-Acne Activities in 16 Sea Cucumber in Indonesia

Sea cucumbers are marine organism that have interesting biological activities and generally used for food, cosmetics, and medicine. The use of sea cucumbers in cosmetics due to sea cucumbers have good antioxidant and antibacterial activity. There have not been many studies on sea cucumbers in Indonesia that show sea cucumbers as antibacterial (especially bacteria that cause acne. This study was conducted on sixteen species of sea cucumber from genus Actinopyga, Bohadscia, Holothuria, Pseudocolochirus, and Stichopus to select sea cucumber species that have the best activity in counteracting free radicals (antioxidant) and inhibits acne bacterial growth (anti-acne activities) on Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant test is carried out using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) method while antibacterial test uses Plate Bioassay method with resazurin indicator. Test results on the sixteen samples of methanol extract of sea cucumber species showed that H. leucospilota was the species with the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 9.66 ± 0.15 mg.mL-1 and with an inhibition of 53.09 ± 1.20 % at a concentration of 10 mg.mL-1. Five species of sea cucumbers that have antibacterial activity in the three bacteria tested were Holothuria impatiens, Holothuria scabra, Pseudocolochirus sp., Stichopus vastus, and Holothuria atra.

Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa's pharmacological properties and health effects: A scoping review of current evidence.

IntroductionHemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa), commonly used for industrial purposes, is now being consumed by the public for various health promoting effects. As popularity of hemp research and claims of beneficial effects rises, a systematic collection of current scientific evidence on hemp’s health effects and pharmacological properties is needed to guide future research, clinical, and policy decision making.ObjectiveTo provide an overview and identify the present landscape of hemp research topics, trends, and gaps.MethodsA systematic search and analysis strategy according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis-ScR (PRISMA-ScR) checklist on electronic databases including MEDLINE, OVID (OVFT, APC Journal Club, EBM Reviews), Cochrane Library Central and Clinicaltrials.gov was conducted to include and analyse hemp research articles from 2009 to 2019.Results65 primary articles (18 clinical, 47 pre-clinical) were reviewed. Several randomised controlled trials showed hempseed pills (in Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation MaZiRenWan) improving spontaneous bowel movement in functional constipation. There was also evidence suggesting benefits in cannabis dependence, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders. Pre-clinically, hemp derivatives showed potential anti-oxidative, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-acne, and anti-microbial activities. Renal protective effects and estrogenic properties were also exhibited in vitro.ConclusionCurrent evidence on hemp-specific interventions are still preliminary, with limited high quality clinical evidence for any specific therapeutic indication. This is mainly due to the wide variation in test item formulation, as the multiple variants of this plant differ in their phytochemical and bioactive compounds. Future empirical research should focus on standardising the hemp plant for pharmaceutical use, and uniformity in experimental designs to strengthen the premise of using hemp in medicine.

Saponin fraction from Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn as a novel cosmetic additive: Extraction, biological evaluation, analysis of anti-acne mechanism and toxicity prediction

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSapindus mukorossi Gaertn. (S. mukorossi), known as ‘mu huan zi’ in Chinese folklore, belongs to the family Sapindaceae and it has been traditionally used for treating coughing and excessive salivation, removing freckle, whitening skin, etc. Evidence-based medicine also verified the antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase and anti-acne activity of S. mukorossi extract, suggesting that it has the potential to be a pharmaceutical and cosmetic additive. Aim of the studyThe present study was intended to evaluate the freckle-removing and skin-whitening activities of S. mukorossi extracts, and further analyzing the potential anti-acne mechanism. MethodsSaponin fractions were purified by using the semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and their antibacterial activity was detected against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which was the leading cause of inflamed lesions in acne vulgaris. The anti-lipase and anti-tyrosinase activities were assayed using a commercial kit, while the potential anti-acne mechanism was predicted on the basis of the network pharmacology. Active components of saponin fraction were identified by HPLC-MS analysis. Furthermore, the different toxicity level of compounds was predicted according to the quantitative structure-activity relationship, and the first application of crude extract and saponin fraction to facial masks was analyzed based on the comprehensive evaluation method. ResultsThe saponin fraction (F4) purified from the fermentation liquid-based water extract (SWF) showed the best antibacterial activity against P. acnes ATCC 6919 with the MIC of 0.06 mg/mL, which was 33-fold of its parent SWF (with the MIC of 2.0 mg/mL). Compared with SWF, the application of F4 caused greater inhibition rates on lipase and tyrosinase. Chemical constituents of F4 were evaluated, from which four oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were detected to contribute to the above biological activities of F4. The mechanism of the four compounds on anti-acne was predicted, and seven targets such as PTGS2 and F2RL1 were obtained to be important for the treatment of acne. The four compounds were also predicted to have different levels of toxicity to various species, and they were not harmful to rats. Besides, F4 and SWF were applied to facial masks and there was no significant influence on the physicochemical properties including pH, stability, and sensory characteristics. ConclusionThis work demonstrated that oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were speculated to contribute to the skin-whitening, freckle-removing, and anti-acne activities of F4. These findings will facilitate the development of the S. mukorossi extract and the allied products as the new and natural anti-acne agent and cosmetic additives.

Anti-Acne Effects of Cembrene Diterpenoids from the Cultured Soft Coral Sinularia flexibilis.

Acne is a skin disease common in adolescents and increasingly common in the adult population. The major pathologic events of acne vulgaris include increased sebum production, retention hyperkeratosis, carrying commensal skin microbiota, and inflammation. In recent years, more than 10,000 compounds have been isolated and identified from marine organisms. The aim of this study was to discover the potential anti-acne activity of fraction 9 + 10 (SF-E) of Sinularia flexibilis extract and six cembrene diterpenoids. We found that the SF-E significantly reduced Cutibacterium acnes-induced edema in Wistar rat ears. The cembrene diterpenoids including 11-dehydrosinulariolide (SC-2), 3,4:8,11-bisepoxy-7-acetoxycembra-15(17)-en-1,12-olide (SC-7), and sinularin (SC-9) reduced nitric oxide (NO) production with 50% inhibitory concentration of 5.66 ± 0.19, 15.25 ± 0.25, and 3.85 ± 0.25 μM, respectively, and inducible NO synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with SC-2, SC-7, and SC-9 significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide- and heat-killed C. acnes-induced expression of proteins involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in both RAW 264.7 and HaCaT cells. After treatment with SC-2, SC-7, and SC-9, over-proliferation of HaCaT cells was significantly terminated. In summary, SC-2, SC-7, and SC-9 showed anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting that these cembrene diterpenoids obtained from S. flexibilis are natural marine products with potential anti-acne activities.

Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of Sarcostemma acidium methanolic extract for anti-acne and thrombolytic activities

Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of Sarcostemma acidium methanolic extract for anti-acne and thrombolytic activities

Sideritis Perfoliata (Subsp. Perfoliata) Nutritive Value and Its Potential Medicinal Properties.

Sideritis perfoliata L. subsp. perfoliata is an endemic species of the Eastern Mediterranean region with several uses in traditional medicine. The present study aims to explore the unknown properties of S. perfoliata investigating the nutritional content as well as the antioxidant, anticancer, antituberculosis, antiwrinkle, anti-acne, hyper/hypo-pigmentation and antibacterial activities. Mineral content, nutritional value, the composition and antioxidant properties of the essential oil, the antityrosinase, the antibacterial activity and anti-elastase potential of the extract, were evaluated. The antiproliferative activity of S. perfoliata against cervical cancer (HeLa), human melanoma (UCT-Mel-1), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) was investigated. Cytotoxic effects on normal human keratinocyte (HaCat) and kidney epithelial (Vero) cell lines were also determined. Sideritis perfoliata exhibited high nutritional value of proteins and minerals (K, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu). The most abundant components of the essential oil were found to be α-pinene, β-phelladrene, valeranone, β-pinene and sabinene. The ethanolic extract of S. perfoliata displayed moderate antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity against Prevotella intermedia. Noteworthy elastase and moderate anticancer potential against the human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) was observed with IC50 values of 57.18 ± 3.22 μg/mL and 64.27 ± 2.04 μg/mL respectively. The noteworthy in vitro activity of S. perfoliata could be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenols in the leaves, having high nutritional value. Sideritis perfoliata could potentially be useful to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and for the treatment of liver cancer. The moderate antibacterial, antioxidant and elastase activity of the plant can be linked to the traditional use of S. perfoliata for the treatment of wounds and inflammation.