The acne-therapeutic effects of Oriental herb extracts were
investigated in terms of antichemotactic effect on polymorphonuclear
leucocytes, antilipogenic actions, antibacterial activity against
Propionibacterium acnes and resistance induction potency in the
bacteria. The ethanol extract (0.01%) of Angelica dahurica markedly
suppressed neutrophil chemotaxis, comparable to the effect of
erythromycin (0.01%), whereas a strong antilipogenic effect was
obtained with rhizoma coptidis (Coptis chinensis) extract (0.01%),
leading to a higher efficacy than that of retinoic acid (0.01%).
Interestingly, only Glycyrrhiza glabra showed a remarkable
antibacterial activity against P. acnes, resulting in negligible
induction of resistance, in comparison with a marked development of
resistance in the bacteria treated with erythromycin. We suggest that
an appropriate formulation containing A. dahurica, rhizoma coptidis and
G. glabra could be helpful for the prevention and treatment of acne
lesions. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

PMID: 12637783 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]