Antimicrobial Activities against Skin Flora from Tart-cherry Extracts (Prnus cerasus)

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities of Tart-cherry hydrothermal extracts (TCW) and ethanol extracts (TCE) against dermatological bacteria were measured, and the cell viability and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in RAW264.7 macrophages to determine their characteristics for use as functional cosmetic materials. Methods: Anti-oxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method. The antibacterial activity against dermatophilosis was confirmed by the size of the clear zone formed by DISK diffusion and MIC measurement. The activity against an antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain was also measured. Anti-inflammatory response was identified by measuring cytotoxicity and NO activity in RAW264.7 macrophages, in which inflammatory reactions were induced with LPS. Results: Anti-oxidant activity of the TCE was 85.6%, and of TCW was 88.4% at 500 μg/mL. The size of the clear zone was confirmed using Cutibacterium acnes (18 mm), <i>Staphylococcus epidermis</i> (<i>S. epidermis</i> ) (4 mm), and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>S. aureus</i> ) (16 mm). No antifungal activity against <i>Candida albicans</i> was observed. RAW264.7 macrophages showed a survival rate of >90% at <250 μg/mL of extract. Additionally, a concentration-dependent inhibition of NO production was observed. Conclusion: Tart-cherry extracts possessed high anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory efficacy. In addition to the antibacterial activity against the skin-residing bacteria, <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>S. epidermis</i>, high activity against the acne-causing strain <i>C. acnes</i> suggests a sufficient potential of Tart-cherry extracts as a raw material for the preparation of cosmetics and bioproducts.