• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.589-593
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• 2016

Propionibacterium acnes infection in skin tissue often causes acne vulgaris, commonly characterized by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. Chitosan and its derivatives possess strong anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates on P. acnes-infected human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) was evaluated. We designed a model of P. acnes-induced inflammation in viable HaCaT cells. Nitric oxide (NO), an inflammatory marker, was successfully elevated by P. acnes infection in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of NO were reduced by treatment with chitosan-phytochemical conjugates (chitosan-caffeic acid, -ferulic acid and -sinapic acid) in a dose-dependent manner. Among these conjugates, chitosan-caffeic acid exhibited the strongest NO suppression in HaCaT cells infected with P. acnes. The results obtained in this study suggest that chitosan-phytochemical conjugates could be used as a potential therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 2021

The study was aimed at developing an alternative therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases, to meet the continuing demand for new therapies. Acne vulgaris is often associated with the acne-causing bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes. To investigate the safety of agents against acne vulgaris, we evaluated the potential antibacterial activities of edible seaweeds against C. acnes in Korea. Forty-one edible seaweeds, including the brown, green, and red varieties, were selected for the antibacterial test. In comparison with other seaweeds, 70% ethanolic extracts of brown seaweeds, such as Cladophora wrightiana var. minor, Eisenia bicyclis, Ecklonia cava, Ishige foliacea, Ishige okamurae, Sargassum filicinum, and Sargassum miyabei Yendo, exhibited potential antibacterial activity against C. acnes with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 64 and 128 ㎍/mL. To investigate the active anti-acne agents and to enhance our understanding of the antibacterial activities against C. acnes, further solvent-fractionation experiments are warranted. The findings imply that brown seaweeds can be a potential source of natural agents against acne vulgaris.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-62
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• 2013

Objective : Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a major pathogenic bacteria for acne vulgaris. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts on the inflammatory cytokines gene expression by P. acnes in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cell line. Methods : Anti-bacterial activity and cytotoxicity of LE extracts was analyzed by agar plate culture and XTT assay. The cytokines gene expressions were assessed by real time RT-PCR for IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$. During the cell culture and treatments, amounts of secreted TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA. Translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm into nucleus was observed by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results : There were no anti-bacterial effects and cytotoxicity as high as $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of LE extracts in XTT assay. Transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were increased by P. acnes in HaCaT. LE extracts decreased the upregulated gene transcription levels. However, amounts of secreted TNF-${\alpha}$ were similar in HaCaT cells with P. acnes and LE extracts. Translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus by P. acnes was significantly inhibited by LE extracts. Conclusions : From the results of this study, LE extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on HaCaT cells by P. acnes that decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$. This anti-inflammatory effects of LE extracts could provide the potential of therapeutic substance for acne vulgaris.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2012

Acne, also known as Acne vulgaris, is a common disorder of human skin involving the sebaceous gland and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether anti-acne herbal complex (AAHC), a functional extract from herbal complex can be used for acne treatment as a natural product. We first demonstrated anti-acne activity of AAHC in mouse acne model. Acne was induced by injecting P. acnes on the backside $2{\times}10^7$ CFUs in ICR mice and then the mice were treated with AAHC by dermal application once daily. ACFREE$^{(R)}$ (clindamicin phosphate) was used as a positive control. Treatment with AAHC decreased the P. acnes-induced skin swelling and inflammation. AAHC treatment significantly decreased serum DHT concentration in acne-induced mice. Especially, treatment of 20% AACH in mice was more effected than 40%. We next evaluated the antimicrobial property of AAHC against P. acnes, Staphylcococcus aureus (S.aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Incubation of P. acnes, S. aureus, and E. coli with AAHC showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against the bacterial growth lower. Alamar blue method was also carried for the antibacterial activity. It was effectively MIC level at 6.25% of P. acnes. AAHC effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus and E. coli at 0.097% on MIC level, respectively. Our results showed the potential of using AAHC as an alternative treatment for antibiotic therapy of acne and the application of AAHC as a herbal medicine for acne treatment.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2023

Acne vulgaris is often associated with acne-related bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial effects of the methanol extract of the algae Ecklonia cava and its solvent-soluble extract against C. acnes. Among five solvent fractions, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against C. acnes. Furthermore, the EtOAc-soluble extract exhibited the highest total phenolic contents among the five solvent fractions tested. The EtOAc subfraction 07 (Fr. 07) extract showed the highest antibacterial effect against C. acnes and isolated C. acnes along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 32 to 64 ㎍/mL. Additionally, MICs of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant C. acnes strains were substantially reduced when antibiotics were combined with Fr. 07, suggesting that Fr. 07 restore the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices clearly revealed an additive synergistic effect of Fr. 07 with antibiotics. The results of the present study suggest a potential role for E. cava in the control of infections related to acne vulgaris.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts on the inflammatory cytokines gene expression by the bacteria of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) which elicits acne in human monocytes, THP-1 cell line. Experiment : Cytotoxicity of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts was analyzed by XTT assay. Real time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the cytokines gene expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm into nucleus was observed using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results : Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts did not show cytotoxicity as high as in $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ of concentration. Transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$ were increased by P. acnes in THP-1 and Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts decreased the upregulated transcription levels. Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts significantly inhibited the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus by P. acnes. Conclusion : This study suggests that Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on P. acnes treated THP-1 as decreasing the mRNA expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. This anti-inflammatory effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts may be useful in therapeutic treatments for acne vulgaris.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.226-231
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• 2006

Artemisia vulgaris, one of the most religious plants in Nepal, is used in the treatment of various ailments. In this study, antioxidative activity of essential oil from A. vulgaris was evaluated, using different in vitro methods and antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method against skin disease microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans and Propionibacterium acnes. The essential oil exhibited a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. It showed strong metal chelating activity with low reducing and antioxidant power. However, gradual increase in radical scavenging activity was obtained with increasing concentration and reaction time. It also possessed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and notable susceptibility was observed against S. pyogenes and P. acnes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2020

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for host defense as well as the progression of inflammatory diseases through the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is cleaved by active caspase-1. It has been reported that overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development and pathology of acne vulgaris. Therefore, inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a new therapeutic strategy for acne vulgaris. In this study, we investigated whether auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby effectively treating acne vulgaris. Auranofin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Propionibacterium acnes, reducing the production of IL-1β in primary mouse macrophages and human sebocytes. In a P. acnes-induced acne mouse model, injection of P. acnes into the ears of mice induced acne symptoms such as redness, swelling, and neutrophil infiltration. Topical application of auranofin (0.5 or 1%) to mouse ears significantly reduced the inflammatory symptoms of acne vulgaris induced by P. acnes injection. Topical application of auranofin led to the downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by P. acnes in mouse ear skin. These results show that auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, the activation of which is associated with acne symptoms. The results further suggest that topical application of auranofin could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating acne vulgaris by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.272-279
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• 2018

This study was carried out to evaluate antimicrobial activity of isolated bacteria from various soils against two strains of Propionibacterium acnes causing acne vulgaris. Among several hundreds of bacterial strains, Paenibacillus elgii DS381, Paenibacillus elgii DS1515, Burkholderia gladioli DS518, and Streptomyces lienomycini DS620 showed high antimicrobial activities against the strains of P. acnes. All isolated bacteria showed 15.5 to 34.3 mm inhibition zone diameter in an agar well diffusion test, and especially DS620 showed the highest inhibition zone diameters (28.3~34.3 mm). Antibacterial substances were expected as lipopeptide (pelgipeptin and paenipeptin) from strains DS381 and DS1515, protease from DS518, and anthracycline antibiotic (daunomycinone) from DS620, and all these showed very low minimum inhibitory concentration [DS381 and DS1515 (0.078 mg/ml), DS518 (0.312 mg/ml), DS620 (0.000078 mg/ml)] against P. acnes. These antibacterial substances could completely kill P. acnes within 24 h in a time-kill assay. These results suggest that antibacterial substances produced by these bacteria may be utilized as useful antimicrobial agent against P. acnes and treatment medicine for acne vulgaris.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2020

Toona sinensis (TS) leaf is known to antinociceptive, antioxidative stress and skin moisturizing effects. Acnes vulgaris is a chronic skin disease with various symptoms including itchiness, pain and interruption of normal skin function. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a major factor in the occurrence of inflammatory acnes. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects by TS extract from adventitious shoots. TS extract showed anti-inflammatory activities by suppression of pro-inflammation mediators (iNOS and COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. TS extract also has anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines on P. acnes-stimulated HaCaT cells. These effects were regulated by MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, we suggest that TS extract from adventitious shoots might have applications as a medicine for treating P. acnes-induced skin diseases.