title: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate improves acne in humans by modulating intracellular molecular targets and inhibiting P. acnes.
abstract: Acne vulgaris is a highly prevalent skin disorder characterized by hyperseborrhea, inflammation, and Propionibacterium acnes overgrowth. Only isotretinoin and hormonal therapy reduce sebum production. To identify a new drug candidate that modulates sebum, we examined the effects of EGCG, the major polyphenol in green tea, on human SEB-1 sebocytes and in patients with acne. In SEB-1 sebocytes, we found that EGCG reduced sebum by modulating the AMPK-SREBP-1 signaling pathway. EGCG also reduces inflammation by suppressing the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways. EGCG also induces cytotoxicity of SEB-1 sebocytes via apoptosis and decreases the viability of P. acnes, thus targeting almost all the pathogenic features of acne. Finally, and most importantly, EGCG significantly improved acne in an 8-week randomized, split-face, clinical trial, and was well tolerated. Our data provide a therapeutic rationale for the use of EGCG in acne.
authors.affiliation: Acne Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Hyuck Hoon
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Seong Uk
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Thiboutot
authors.forename: Dae Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002648:Child; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D050155:Lipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016328:NF-kappa B; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases