Anti-acne properties of hydrophobic fraction of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and its active components.

Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that occurs when bacteria abnormally grow in hair follicles. The most common treatment is antibiotics, but they are limited due to antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to identify the active ingredients of the antimicrobial effects of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), compare it to existing antibacterial substances, and determine its potential efficacy as a natural drug product. The hydrophobic fraction in red ginseng ethanol extract (RGEF) showed the same or better antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes than benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid. In addition, the antimicrobial component derived from red ginseng selectively showed a high antimicrobial effect on P. acnes. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis showed that the active antimicrobial substance in this fraction was panaxynol and panaxydol. Twenty subjects who had acne symptoms were treated with cream containing 3 mg/g of RGEF for 4 weeks. It was found that oxidized sebum contents and redness of the skin were reduced, and symptoms of the early to middle stage of acne were effectively improved. This study showed that red ginseng extract containing panaxynol and panaxydol can effectively control the symptoms of acne.

• Authors: Joon Hyuk Hou, Hyunjung Shin, Kyoung Hwa Jang, Chae Kyu Park, Bonsuk Koo, Hyeji Shin, Soon Hong Yuk, Ki Yong Lee
• Journal: Phytotherapy research : PTR (Phytother Res) Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 584-590 (Mar 2019) ISSN: 1099-1573 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30506753 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Cosmetics
• Diynes
• Fatty Alcohols
• Plant Extracts
• falcarinol
• panaxydol

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Chemical Fractionation
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Cosmetics
• Diynes (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Fatty Alcohols (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
• Male
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Panax (chemistry)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Skin (drug effects)
• Skin Cream (chemistry)
• Young Adult