The growing number of bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance have become a major threat to global health, food security, and development. Without effective antibiotics, modern medical treatments including organ transplantations, chemotherapy, and surgeries become much more risky (WHO 2017a). On the other hand, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 40 million deaths each year, equivalent to 70% of all deaths across the world (WHO 2017b). Many NCDs are associated with an increased oxidative stress which is caused by an imbalance between excess freeradical production and endogenous antioxidant levels in the body (Pham-Huy et al 2008). Among NCDs, cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for 8.8 million deaths in 2015 (WHO 2017c). Besides the exploration of antioxidants and chemotherapeutic drugs in the management of NCDs such as cancer, research on the inhibition of key enzymes in the body for the treatment of NCDs has recently intensified. For instance, inhibition of tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in melanin biosynthesis, may prevent excess formation and accumulation of melanin in the skin, preventing hyperpigmentation disorders including melasma, freckles, lentigines, and geriatric pigment spots (Ya
Introduction: Argan oil is a well-known cosmeceutical that is commercially available. It is traditionally used for the treatment of acne and skin inflammation among others. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities of argan oil and a crude saponin extract from the argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) that is endemic to Morocco. Materials and Methods: The anti-proliferative activity of argan oil and the crude saponin extract was assessed by the 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay on A431; HaCat; HeLa; MCF-7 and UCT-Mel 1 cells. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method against two species of bacteria: Cutibacterium acnes and Prevotella intermedia. Results: The results of this study indicated that the argan oil sample did not inhibit the cell growth of the specified cell lines up to 1000µg/ml, while the crude saponin extract had low anti-proliferative activity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for both the argan oil and the crude saponin extract were found to be 500µg/ml against Cutibacterium acnes. No antibacterial activity from the argan oil or the crude saponin extract was evident against Prevotella intermedia up to a concentration of 12.5mg/ml. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that argan oil and the crude saponin extract might have direct inhibitory effects on the growth and proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes. This finding supports the use argan oil as a treatment for acne vulgaris.
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