Surfactin-oleogel with therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris induced by Propionibacterium acnes

Surfactin as an ingredient in cosmetic industry: Benefits and trends

Surfactin is a natural surfactant almost exclusively produced by Bacillus species with excellent physical-chemical, and biological properties. Among innovative applications, surfactin has been recently used as an ingredient in formulations. The antibacterial and anti-acne activities, as well as the anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, and cleansing features, are some of the reasons this lipopeptide is used in cosmetics. Considering the importance of biosurfactants in the world economy and sustainability, their potential properties for cosmetic and dermatological products, and the importance of patents for technological advancement in a circular bioeconomy system, the present study aims to review all patents involving surfactin as an ingredient in cosmetic formulas. This review was conducted through Espacenet, wherein patents containing the terms "cosmetic" and "surfactin" in their titles, abstracts, or claims were examined. Those patents that detailed a specific surfactin dosage within their formulations were selected for analysis. All patents, irrespective of their publication date, from October 1989 to December 2022, were considered. Additionally, a comprehensive search was performed in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, spanning from their inception until the year 2023. This complementary search aimed to enrich the understanding derived from patents, with a specific emphasis on surfactin, encompassing its associated advantages, efficacy, mechanisms of action on the skin, as well as aspects related to sustainability and its merits in cosmetic formulations. From the 105 patents analysed, 75% belong to Japan (54), China (14), and Korea (9). Most of them were submitted by Asian companies such as Showa Denko (15), Kaneka (11) and Kao Corporation (5). The formulations described are mainly emulsions, skincare, cleansing, and haircare, and the surfactin dose does not exceed 5%. Surfactin appears in different types of formulas worldwide and has a high tendency to be used. Surfactin and other biosurfactants are a promising alternative to chemical ingredients in cosmetic formulations, guaranteeing skin health benefits and minimizing the impact on the environment.

Acne treatment: research progress and new perspectives

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects adolescents and is attributed to various factors, including hormonal changes, genetic predisposition, and environmental influences. It typically manifests in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, chest, and back. Symptoms of acne can range from mild to severe and may present as pimples, pustules, nodules, cysts, and scarring. The appearance of acne can significantly impact both the physical and mental well-being of patients, potentially leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. The pathogenesis of acne is multifaceted involving genetic predisposition as well as environmental factors such as hormonal imbalances, inflammation, abnormal follicular sebaceous unit keratinization, proliferation of follicular microorganisms like Propionibacterium acnes, increased sebum production, and dietary influences. Traditional treatment methods for acne include topical drug therapy, oral drug therapy, photoelectric therapy, and chemical peeling. With ongoing research into the pathogenesis of acne, treatment methods are rapidly evolving with novel antibiotics, probiotics, biological agents, topical anti-androgen drugs, topical vitamin A acid metabolism blockers, antimicrobial peptides, immunotherapy, micro-needling, and micro-needling patches. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in acne treatment.

Research progress on the role of macrophages in acne and regulation by natural plant products

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases. The current understanding of acne primarily revolves around inflammatory responses, sebum metabolism disorders, aberrant hormone and receptor expression, colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, and abnormal keratinization of follicular sebaceous glands. Although the precise mechanism of action remains incompletely understood, it is plausible that macrophages exert an influence on these pathological features. Macrophages, as a constituent of the human innate immune system, typically manifest distinct phenotypes across various diseases. It has been observed that the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acne. In recent years, extensive research on acne has revealed an increasing number of natural remedies exhibiting therapeutic efficacy through the modulation of macrophage polarization. This review investigates the role of cutaneous macrophages, elucidates their potential significance in the pathogenesis of acne, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and explores the therapeutic mechanisms of natural plant products targeting macrophages. Despite these insights, the precise role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of acne remains poorly elucidated. Subsequent investigations in this domain will further illuminate the pathogenesis of acne and potentially offer guidance for identifying novel therapeutic targets for this condition.

Resolving acne with optimized adapalene microspongeal gel, in vivo and clinical evaluations

In our pursuit of enhancing acne treatment while minimizing side effects, we developed tailored Adapalene microsponges (MS) optimized using a Box-Behnken design 33. The independent variables, Eudragit RS100 percentage in the polymer mixture, organic phase volume, and drug to polymer percentage, were explored. The optimized formulation exhibited remarkable characteristics, with a 98.3% ± 1.6 production yield, 97.3% ± 1.64 entrapment efficiency, and a particle size of 31.8 ± 1.1 µm. Notably, it achieved a 24 h cumulative drug release of 75.1% ± 1.4. To delve deeper into its efficacy, we evaluated the optimized microspongeal-gel in vitro, in vivo, and clinically. It demonstrated impressive retention in the pilosebaceous unit, a target for acne treatment. Comparative studies between our optimized Adapalene microspongeal gel and marketed Adapalene revealed superior performance. In vivo studies on Propionibacterium acnes-infected mice ears showed a remarkable 97% reduction in ear thickness, accompanied by a significant decrease in inflammatory signs and NF-κB levels, as confirmed by histopathological and histochemical examination. Moreover, in preliminary clinical evaluation, it demonstrated outstanding effectiveness in reducing comedonal lesions while causing fewer irritations. This not only indicates its potential for clinical application but also underscores its ability to enhance patient satisfaction, paving the way for future commercialization.

Targeting Inflammation in Acne: Current Treatments and Future Prospects

Acne is a common, chronic inflammatory condition affecting millions of people worldwide, with significant negative impact on quality of life and mental health. Acne is characterized by comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodulocystic lesions, with long-lasting sequelae including scarring and dyspigmentation, the latter of which is more common in skin of color. The four main pillars of acne pathophysiology include alteration of sebum production and concentration, hyperkeratinization of the follicular unit, Cutibacterium acnes strains, and an inflammatory immune response. Newer research has provided greater insight into these pathophysiologic categories. This greater understanding of acne pathogenesis has led to numerous new and emerging treatment modalities. These modalities include combinations of existing treatments, repurposing of existing agents historically used for other conditions, new topical treatments, novel antibiotics, topical and oral probiotics, and various procedural devices. This article will provide an overview of emerging treatments of acne and their link to our current and improved understanding of acne pathogenesis.

Surfactin Containing Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products Alleviate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Inhibiting Colonic Inflammation and the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a non-infectious disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, management of IBD is still a clinical challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of surfactin containing Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (SBLF) and commercial surfactin (CS) on the treatment of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model. We found that mice that received drinking water containing 3% DSS developed significant colitis symptoms, including increased disease activity index, body weight loss, shortening of the colon length, splenomegaly, colonic inflammation and colonic NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. Notably, orally received SBLF, CS or clinical anti-inflammatory drug 5-aminosalicylic acid improved DSS-induced colitis symptoms in mice. These findings show that SBLF can improve IBD in mice by reducing colonic inflammation and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that SBLF has the potential to be used as a nutraceutical in humans or a feed additive in economic and companion animals for preventing IBD.