DE CANHA, M.N., KOMARNYTSKY, S., LANGHANSOVÁ, Lenka, LALL, N. Exploring the anti-acne potential of Impepho (Helichrysum odoratissimum) to combat Cutibacterium acnes virulence. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020, 10(30 January), 1559. ISSN 1663-9812. E-ISSN 1663-9812

The Gram-positive bacterium Cutibacterium acnes (previously Propionibacterium acnes), plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of the dermatological skin disorder acne vulgaris. The methanolic extract of Helichrysum odoratissimum (HO-MeOH) was investigated for its ability to target bacterial growth and pathogenic virulence factors associated with acne progression. The GC-MS analysis of HO-MeOH identified α-humulene, α-curcumene and carophyllene as major constituents, which correlated with previous reports. The HO-MeOH extract exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against C. acnes (ATCC 6919) with an MIC of 7.81 µg/ml. It enhanced the antimicrobial activity of benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The extract showed high specificity against C. acnes cell aggregation at sub-inhibitory concentrations, preventing biofilm formation. Mature C. acnes biofilms were disrupted at a sub-inhibitory concentration of 3.91 µg/ml.