Neolitsea aciculata essential oil inhibits drug-resistant skin pathogen growth and Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory effects of human monocyte leukemia.

This study examined the chemical composition of Neolitsea aciculata essential oil (NAE) and its biological activities. NAE was obtained by hydro-distillation of N. aciculata leaves collected in Jeju Island and analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometer detector. 1-Dodecen-3-yne (12.5%), calarene (11.5%) and elemol (9.5%) were identified as the major components of NAE. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of NAE against skin pathogens were examined to determine the protective properties against acne vulgaris. NAE exhibited moderate to strong antibacterial activity against drug-susceptible and -resistant Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are known as acne-causing bacteria. In addition, NAE reduced the P. acnes-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in THP-1 cells, highlighting its anti-inflammatory effects. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of NAE also revealed moderate antioxidant properties (IC50, 21.3 microL/mL). Overall, NAE is an attractive candidate as an ingredient in skin care products.