title: Development and Sequential Analysis of a New Multi-Agent, Anti-Acne Formulation Based on Plant-Derived Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds.
abstract: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of natural, plant-derived compounds has been reported in many studies. Emerging evidence indicates that plant-derived essential oils and/or their major compounds may represent a plausible alternative treatment for acne, a prevalent skin disorder in both adolescent and adult populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and subsequently analyze the antimicrobial activity of a new multi-agent, synergic formulation based on plant-derived antimicrobial compounds (i.e., eugenol, β-pinene, eucalyptol, and limonene) and anti-inflammatory agents for potential use in the topical treatment of acne and other skin infections. The optimal antimicrobial combinations selected in this study were eugenol/β-pinene/salicylic acid and eugenol/β-pinene/2-phenoxyethanol/potassium sorbate. The possible mechanisms of action revealed by flow cytometry were cellular permeabilization and inhibition of efflux pumps activity induced by concentrations corresponding to sub-minimal inhibitory (sub-MIC) values. The most active antimicrobial combination represented by salycilic acid/eugenol/β-pinene/2-phenoxyethanol/potassium sorbate was included in a cream base, which demonstrated thermodynamic stability and optimum microbiological characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. crina.saviuc@yahoo.com.|S.C. SANIMED INTERNATIONAL IMPEX S.R.L., Sos. Bucuresti-Magurele, nr.70, Sector 5, 051434 Bucharest, Romania. crina.saviuc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Crina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saviuc
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. ciubuca.b@gmail.com.|S.C. SANIMED INTERNATIONAL IMPEX S.R.L., Sos. Bucuresti-Magurele, nr.70, Sector 5, 051434 Bucharest, Romania. ciubuca.b@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ciubucă
authors.affiliation: S.C. Biotehnos S.A., Gorunului Str. 3-5, 075100 Otopeni, Ilfov, Romania. gabi.dinca@biotehnos.com.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dincă
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. cbleotu@yahoo.com.|Ştefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 285 Mihai Bravu Avenue, Sector 3, 030304 Bucharest, Romania. cbleotu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Coralia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bleotu
authors.affiliation: S.C. Biotehnos S.A., Gorunului Str. 3-5, 075100 Otopeni, Ilfov, Romania. drume_67@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Drumea
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. carmen_balotescu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mariana-Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chifiriuc
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. bmarcelica@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Popa
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. gratiela87@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gratiela Gradisteanu
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Pircalabioru
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. lumidascalu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Luminita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marutescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany-Microbiology, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest-ICUB, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, SplaiulIndependenţei 91-95 Sector 5, 76201 Bucharest, Romania. veronica.lazar2009@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lazăr
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D005054:Eugenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000077222:Limonene; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; D005054:Eugenol; C010789:beta-pinene; D000077222:Limonene; D000077591:Eucalyptol
keywords: acne; antimicrobial; eucalyptol; eugenol; limonene; plant-derived compounds; β-pinene