Chayanin Pratoomsoot1,2, Nalin Wongkattiya3, Donruedee Sanguansermsri4. 1. Division of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand, chayanin@nu.ac.th. 2. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, chayanin@nu.ac.th. 3. Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 4. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A common health condition among older persons is xerosis cutis. Topical corticosteroid treatments are -associated with side effects. There is an unmet need for her-bal treatment alternatives. Coccinia grandis, Clerodendrum inerme and Acanthus ebracteatus are used to treat skin con-ditions in Thai traditional medicine. This study aimed to investigate their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, synergistic properties as well as their cytotoxicity. METHODS: -Ethanolic herbal extracts were used to perform minimal -inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays on common skin pathogens. Synergistic anti-microbial activity was evaluated by a chequerboard assay. Antioxidant and synergistic properties were assessed by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Cytotoxicity was tested on normal adult human primary epidermal keratinocytes. RESULTS: All extracts showed an inhibitory effect on growth of all microorganisms tested. MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.0625 to 32 mg/mL and from 0.0625 to >256 mg/mL, respectively. A. ebracteatus extract markedly demonstrated bactericidal activity against an methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. Additive antimicrobial activity was observed (fractional inhibitory concentration index values: 0.75-1). All extracts possessed antioxidant properties (IC50 values: 0.12-0.25 mg/L). However, antagonism was observed with paired extract combinations (combination index values: 1.025-1.455). The cell viability assay confirmed that herbal extracts were not cytotoxic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide early findings of pharmacological activities to support a novel choice of herbal combinations as potential local skin treatment options for xerosis cutis.
BACKGROUND: A common health condition among older persons is xerosis cutis. Topical corticosteroid treatments are -associated with side effects. There is an unmet need for her-bal treatment alternatives. Coccinia grandis, Clerodendrum inerme and Acanthus ebracteatus are used to treat skin con-ditions in Thai traditional medicine. This study aimed to investigate their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, synergistic properties as well as their cytotoxicity. METHODS: -Ethanolic herbal extracts were used to perform minimal -inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays on common skin pathogens. Synergistic anti-microbial activity was evaluated by a chequerboard assay. Antioxidant and synergistic properties were assessed by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Cytotoxicity was tested on normal adult human primary epidermal keratinocytes. RESULTS: All extracts showed an inhibitory effect on growth of all microorganisms tested. MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.0625 to 32 mg/mL and from 0.0625 to >256 mg/mL, respectively. A. ebracteatus extract markedly demonstrated bactericidal activity against an methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. Additive antimicrobial activity was observed (fractional inhibitory concentration index values: 0.75-1). All extracts possessed antioxidant properties (IC50 values: 0.12-0.25 mg/L). However, antagonism was observed with paired extract combinations (combination index values: 1.025-1.455). The cell viability assay confirmed that herbal extracts were not cytotoxic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide early findings of pharmacological activities to support a novel choice of herbal combinations as potential local skin treatment options for xerosis cutis.