Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium jambos and Leucosidea sericea in addressing acne vulgaris

Acne is a common universal condition which affects all ages and can have a significant impact on psychosocial and physical aspects of a person's life. The conventional acne medication comes with various side effects. Also, bacterial resistance in an ongoing problem. These facts underscore an urgent need to search for alternative treatment of acne.;In this thesis, fifty one medicinal plants grown in South Africa were investigated for growth inhibitory properties against Propionibacterium acnes. The current study is the first scientific report of two plants namely, Syzygium jambos and Leucosidea sericea for their significant antibacterial activity against P. acnes. Both the aforesaid plant extracts exhibited noteworthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with no toxicity on mouse and human cell lines, very crucial for an anti-acne agent.;For purification of bioactive compounds, the ethanol extracts of S. jambos and L. sericea were subjected to bioassay guided fractionation. Three known compounds were purified for the first time from S. jambos, whereas, four known and one new compound were for the first time purified from L. sericea extract. An analogue of anacardic acid and alpha kosin were found to be active against P. acnes with significant antibacterial activity very comparable to positive drug control. The Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the lethal effects of plant extracts and bioactive compounds against the cells of P. acnes..;The combination study on the aqueous extract of S. jambos and L. sericea depicted additive and synergistic interactions. The aqueous extract of aforesaid plants in ratio 1:1 showed 24 h hydration effects in an in vivo study performed at a local industry in Pretoria.;The results gathered herein suggests that S. jambos and L. sericea could be possible alternative treatment for acne either alone or in combination with each other. The further clinical trials are underway.