Antimicrobial herbs against Staphylococcus aureusa and Propionibacterium acnes

Acne is a common skin condition in adolescence and usually resulted in scarring. Its main effects are psychological, like self-esteem reduction and depression. Pathogenesis of acne are four major factors, including increased sebum production by overactive oil glands, retention hyperkeratosis to block the skin pores, activity of normal skin bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes) and inflammation. In this study, 30 herbal plants were extracted by 50% methanol, and the anti-S. aureusa activity of herb extracts were evaluated. The results showed 50% methanol extracts of 7 herbal plants had more significant activity than the others, while the clear zone of Hydrocotyle verticillata, Acanthopanax trifoliatus, Wikstroemia indica, Berchemia lineata were all 11.0mm; Origanum majorana was 11.5mm; Salvia plebeia was 13.0mm and Myristica fragrans was 13.5mm. Among the 30 herb extracts, M. fragrans displayed the strongest anti-S. aureus activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.64mg. P. acnes was also pathogenesis of acne and was used as target bacteria in this study. The MIC of M. fragrans 50% methanol extract was 0.64mg against P. acnes. M. fragrans, a high essential oil content spice, showed potential antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammation effects in vitro and in vivo. The essential oils of M. fragrans were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. In agar well-diffusion method, the MIC of the essential oil from M. fragrans against S. aureusa and P. acnes were 80% and 20%, respectively. Therefore, we suggested that M. fragrans were a potential material to develop anti-acne cosmetics.

Keywords: anti-acne, Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium acnes, Myristica fragrans Houtt.