In the current study, attempts are being made to search for new and cheaper remedy for acne. Here anti acne activity of various samples [Paste, cucumber, tomato, multani mitty (fullers earth),Guava leaf, turmeric and ointment(control)] was studied against Staphylococcus sp. The most effective samples used is guava leaf.
Acne is the most common skin disorder with a very high prevalence. Acne may be treated with a combination of remedies including over – the counter skin care, and medications, and chemical or laser procedures. All these treatments are comparatively costlier.
Table of Contents
Anti-acne activity of medicinal and herbal sources: an overview
Abstract
1. Introduction
1.1 Aim
2. Review of literature
3. Hypothesis
4. Materials and Methods
4.1 Study area
4.2 Collection of samples
4.3 Pure culture preparation
4.4 Morphological and biochemical tests
4.5 Extract preparation
4.6 Antimicrobial activity
4.7 Treatment
4.8 Statistical analysis
5. Results and discussion
6. Conclusions
References
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This study investigates the anti-acne potential of various natural medicinal and herbal extracts as cost-effective alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatments, which are increasingly associated with bacterial resistance. The research specifically aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these natural samples against acne-causing bacteria like Staphylococcus sp.
- Prevalence and impact of acne vulgaris as a chronic skin disorder.
- Limitations and side effects of current antibiotic-based acne therapies.
- Screening of natural agents including turmeric, guava leaf, cucumber, and tomato.
- In-vitro antimicrobial testing and morphological characterization of isolates.
- Comparative analysis of herbal extracts against clinical standards.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest skin disorders, for which dermatologists are still struggling since years to treat successfully. It mainly affects adolescents, through it may present at any age. It is almost a universal disease occurring in all races and affecting 95% of 16-year-old boys and 83% of 16-year-old girls to some degree. The incidence of severity of acne, peak at 40% in 14-17-year-old girls and 35% in boys aged 16-19 year.
Acne by definition is a multi-factorial chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. It affects the skin of the face, neck and upper trunk. These particular sebaceous follicles have capacious follicular channels and voluminous, multi-acninar sebaceous glands. Acne develops when these specialized follicles undergo pathogenic alteration that results in the formation of non-inflammatory lesions [comedons] and inflammatory lesions [papules, pustules and nodules].
Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acne are considered as the major skin bacteria that cause the formation of acne. Propionibacterium acne, a gram-positive an anaerobic pathogen, plays an imp role in the pathogenesis of acne.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of acne vulgaris, its pathophysiology, the role of specific bacteria, and the need for alternative treatments due to antibiotic resistance.
2. Review of literature: Details existing research on acne-causing bacteria and the historical use of medicinal plants and herbal extracts in dermatological applications.
3. Hypothesis: Outlines the research premise that herbal extracts possess superior or comparable anti-acne efficacy to chemical ointments and vary in their performance.
4. Materials and Methods: Describes the methodology for sample collection, pure culture isolation, morphological/biochemical characterization, extract preparation, and antimicrobial assays.
5. Results and discussion: Presents the findings of the antimicrobial screening and compares the zones of inhibition for different herbal formulations.
6. Conclusions: Summarizes the study's findings, highlighting guava leaf as a particularly effective natural remedy for treating acne.
Keywords
Acne, Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium acnes, Herbal medicine, Antimicrobial activity, Medicinal plants, Guava leaf, Turmeric, Antibiotic resistance, Bioautography, Phytochemical screening, Skin disorder, Pilosebaceous unit, Natural remedies, Biochemical identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research?
The main goal is to find effective and affordable anti-acne activity in various medicinal and herbal sources to combat the rising issue of antibiotic-resistant acne.
Which specific bacteria were focused on in this study?
The study focused on isolating and testing antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus sp., a major pathogen involved in acne formation.
What makes this study relevant to current medical challenges?
It addresses the issue of increased bacterial resistance caused by the long-term use of conventional antibiotics in acne therapy.
How was the antimicrobial activity tested?
The researchers used the well diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar to measure zones of inhibition for different concentrations of herbal extracts.
Which natural samples showed the most promise?
The research identified guava leaf as the most effective sample in inhibiting the target bacteria among the substances tested.
How were the bacterial isolates identified?
Identification was performed by observing morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics, following standard procedures like Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology.
What characterizes the study area of this research?
The samples were collected in Kerala, India, a region defined by a tropical wet and dry climate with high annual rainfall, influencing local botanical availability.
Are the herbal treatments considered safe?
The paper suggests that herbs are generally considered safe, efficacious, and multifunctional, with fewer adverse effects compared to synthetic pharmaceutical agents.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Prem Jose Vazhacharickal (Author), John Joseph (Author), Jiby John Mathew (Author), Sajeshkumar N.K. (Author), E. S. Sumayya (Author), 2017, Anti-acne activity of medicinal and herbal sources, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/375896
