Inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin on the Propionibacterium acnes-induced chemokine expression

Anti-Cancer Effect of Chlorophyllin-Assisted Photodynamic Therapy to Induce Apoptosis through Oxidative Stress on Human Cervical Cancer

Photodynamic therapy is an alternative approach to treating tumors that utilizes photochemical reactions between a photosensitizer and laser irradiation for the generation of reactive oxygen species. Currently, natural photosensitive compounds are being promised to replace synthetic photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy because of their low toxicity, lesser side effects, and high solubility in water. Therefore, the present study investigated the anti-cancer efficacy of chlorophyllin-assisted photodynamic therapy on human cervical cancer by inducing apoptotic response through oxidative stress. The chlorophyllin-assisted photodynamic therapy significantly induced cytotoxicity, and the optimal conditions were determined based on the results, including laser irradiation time, laser power density, and chlorophyllin concentration. In addition, reactive oxygen species generation and Annexin V expression level were detected on the photodynamic reaction-treated HeLa cells under the optimized conditions to evaluate apoptosis using a fluorescence microscope. In the Western blotting analysis, the photodynamic therapy group showed the increased protein expression level of the cleaved caspase 8, caspase 9, Bax, and cytochrome C, and the suppressed protein expression level of Bcl-2, pro-caspase 8, and pro-caspase 9. Moreover, the proposed photodynamic therapy downregulated the phosphorylation of AKT1 in the HeLa cells. Therefore, our results suggest that the chlorophyllin-assisted photodynamic therapy has potential as an antitumor therapy for cervical cancer.

Propolis nanoparticle enhances the potency of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against Streptococcus mutans in a synergistic manner

Less invasive removal approaches have been recommended for deep caries lesions. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and propolis nanoparticle (PNP) are highlighted for the caries management plan. Evidence is lacking for an additive effect of combination PNP with photosensitizer (PS) in aPDT. This study aimed to investigate the individual and synergistic effects of chlorophyllin-phycocyanin mixture (PhotoActive⁺) and toluidine blue O (TBO) as PSs in combination with PNP in the aPDT process (aPDT^plus) against major important virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans. Following characterization, biocompatibility of the PSs alone, or in combination with PNP were investigated on human gingival fibroblast cell. The in vitro synergy of PhotoActive⁺ or TBO and PNP was evaluated by the checkerboard method. The bacteria's virulence properties were surveyed in the presence of the PSs, individually as well as in combination. When the PSs were examined in combination (synergistic effect, FIC Index < 0.5), a stronger growth inhibitory activity was exhibited than the individual PSs. The biofilm formation, as well as genes involved in biofilm formation, showed greater suppression when the PSs were employed in combination. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the combination of PhotoActive⁺ or TBO with PNP with the least cytotoxicity effects and the highest antimicrobial activites would improve aPDT outcomes, leading to synergistic effects and impairing the virulence of S. mutans.

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin Immobilization onto Hippospongia communis Marine Demosponge Skeleton and Its Antibacterial Activity

In this study, Hippospongia communis marine demosponge skeleton was used as an adsorbent for sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC). Obtained results indicate the high sorption capacity of this biomaterial with respect to SCC. Batch experiments were performed under different conditions and kinetic and isotherms properties were investigated. Acidic pH and the addition of sodium chloride increased SCC adsorption. The experimental data were well described by a pseudo-second order kinetic model. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined and the experimental data were analyzed using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The effectiveness of the process was confirmed by ¹³C Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹³C CP/MAS NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). This novel SCC-sponge-based functional hybrid material was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Evaluation of anti-acne properties of phloretin in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the anti-acne properties of phloretin in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Anti-microbial activity against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), Propionibacterium granulosum (P. granulosum) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) were observed by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disc diffusion methods. The anti-inflammatory effects were studied in HaCaT cells based on P. acnes-induced inflammatory mediators, including PGE2 and COX-2, examined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and luciferase reporter gene assay. Thirty healthy subjects with whiteheads participated in the clinical study. Comedo counting, and the amount of sebum and porphyrin were measured before treatment and following 4 consecutive weeks of treatment with phloretin.

RESULTS

Phloretin showed anti-microbial activities against P. acnes, P. granulosum, S. epidermidis with the MIC of 0.5, 0.5 and 0.25 mg mL(-1) , respectively. P. acnes-induced activation of the COX-2 promoter was markedly attenuated by phloretin treatment. Consistent with these results, inhibition of PGE2 production was also observed. In 1-month, placebo-controlled trials, phloretin showed clinically and statistically significant reduction of comedo counts and sebum output level. Compared to before treatment, whiteheads, blackheads, papules, sebum output level and amount of sebum and porphyrin were significantly decreased at 4 weeks in the test group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that phloretin inhibits the growth of P. acnes, P. granulosum, and S. epidermidis. In addition, we demonstrated that phloretin attenuates COX-2 and PGE2 expression during the P. acnes-induced upregulation of inflammatory signalling. Clinical studies further suggested that treatment with formulations containing phloretin confers anti-acne benefits. Based on these results, we suggest that phloretin may be introduced as a possible acne-mitigating agent.