Anti-inflammatory Effects of Chitosan-phytochemical Conjugates against Propionibacterium acnes-induced Inflammation

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes infection in skin tissue often causes acne vulgaris, commonly characterized by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. Chitosan and its derivatives possess strong anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates on P. acnes-infected human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) was evaluated. We designed a model of P. acnes-induced inflammation in viable HaCaT cells. Nitric oxide (NO), an inflammatory marker, was successfully elevated by P. acnes infection in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of NO were reduced by treatment with chitosan-phytochemical conjugates (chitosancaffeic acid, -ferulic acid and -sinapic acid) in a dose-dependent manner. Among these conjugates, chitosan-caffeic acid exhibited the strongest NO suppression in HaCaT cells infected with P. acnes. The results obtained in this study suggest that chitosan-phytochemical conjugates could be used as a potential therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris.

Oligochitosan as a potential anti-acne vulgaris agent: combined antibacterial effects against Propionibacterium acnes

“…However, P. acnes strains tested in this research were judged to be sensitive to benzoyl peroxide based on the analysis of the MIC values. These antibiotic-resistant profiles against P. acnes strains are almost similar with that reported by Lee et al [4], Kim et al [9], and Kim et al [25]. Likewise, the profiles of MICs to antibiotics were similar with the previous results [4,9,25].…”

“…However, the MBC values of 10 kDa oligochitosan were two-folds increased compared to those of MIC values. Similar patterns between MIC and MBC values were reported by several studies [9,25]. Considering both MIC and MBC results, 10 kDa oligochitosan exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against P. acne strains.…”

“…According to the previous reports, chitosan and chitosan phytochemical conjugates showed MIC value of 128-512 lg/mL for P. acnes and isolated P. acnes [9], and n-hexane extract of Sargassum serratifolium C. Agardh showed MICs of 128 lg/mL [25]. Lee et al [4] also reported that phlorotannins from Eisenia bicyclis showed strong antibacterial activity in the ranges of 64-1024 lg/mL against P. acnes strains.…”

“…However, treatment by antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide, used to treat acne vulgaris, normally causes several side effects such as the emergence of resistant bacteria, immune hypersensitivity, and organ damage in the case of using those medicines for a long period; moreover, they are toxic to human cells [7,8]. Therefore, recent researches have focused on the development of alternative therapeutic substance with less adverse and strong antibacterial effects [9].…”

Synergistic Antibacterial Effects of Chitosan-Caffeic Acid Conjugate against Antibiotic Resistant Acne-Related Bacteria

“…Generally, P. aeruginosa has high-level resistance to antibiotics and substances derived from natural materials due to the low permeability and the action of multidrug efflux pumps [5,22]. In addition, our previous result revealed that the chitosan conjugates are non-toxic to human skin keratinocytes cells [23]. Considering these points, chitosan and its phytochemical derivatives will be very useful for a commercial application since these compounds are broad spectrum natural antibiotics acting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria related with acne vulgaris.…”