Investigation on the potential application of Morus alba stem extract for inflammatory acne vulgaris

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the potential use of Morus alba stem extract for treatment of inflammatory acne through its inhibitory activities against acne-causing bacteria, free radicals, prostaglandin (PG)-E2 and tyrosinase enzyme. The antibacterial studies found that among Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, the extract specifically inhibited P. acnes with MIC and MBC of 3.125 mg/ml and 12.5 mg/ml, respectively. It also exhibited the ability to scavenge free radicals including DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals with IC50 values of 32.07, 67.29 and 12.12 µg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the extract could significantly inhibit the production of PGE2, a potent inflammatory mediator. Additionally, it presented potent anti-tyrosinase activity (5.76 ± 1.58 µg/ml) and was significantly more effective than kojic acid (30.61 ± 13.35 µg/ml), offering great benefits to reduce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These findings suggest potential application of the extract in cosmeceutical formulations for inflammatory acne.

Keywords

• morus alba
• stem extract
• acne
• antibacterial
• antioxidant
• anti-inflammation