Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA237
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084235

The study of inflammatory cytokine-induced pigmentation and antibacterial activity of panduratin A isolated from Kaempferia pandurata Roxb. against Acne

CW Lee 1, HS Kim 1, IY Kauk 1, JW Kim 1, HK Kim 1, JS Sim 2, JK Hwnag 2
  • 1R & D Center, Amore-Pacific Corporation, 314–1, Bora-dong, Kiheung-gu, Yongin-si, Kyounggi-do 449–729, South Korea
  • 2Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120–749, South Korea

The pathogenesis of acne has been linked to multiple factors such as increased sebum production, inflammation, follicular hyperkeratinization, inflammatory cytokine induced pigmentation, and the action of Propionibacterium acnes within the follicle [1]. P. acnes is the predominant organism in sebaceous regions of the skin and is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflamed lesions [2,3]. An antibacterial compound against P. acnes was isolated from ethanol extract of Kaempferia pandurata Roxb. and identified as panduratin A. MIC and MBC of panduratin A for P.acnes were 2 and 4µg/ml, while those of ethanol extract were 5 and 18µg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC of these two compounds were much lower than those of cosmetic used triclosan (31 and 63µg/ml), and were almost comparable to those of antibiotics (Erythromycin: 1 and 2µg/ml). Also, Kaempferia pandurata extract and panduratin A showed significant topical anti-inflammatory activity in the assay of TPA-induced ear edema in rats. In addition, P.acne induced inflammation cytokine production by keratinocyte and this cytokine production inhibited melanin synthesis from normal human melanocyte. Panduratin A and Kaempferia pandurata extract demonstrated high antibacterial activities against P. acnes and inhibition of multiple factors relapsed acnes, such as inflammatory, hyperpigmentation. The results suggest that Kaempferia pandurata extract and panduratin A could be employed as natural acne agents to inhibit the growth of P. acne and skin pigmentation causing inflammation.

Figure A) Study on the cytokine array test from keratinocyte conditioned media.

Figure B) Effect of panduratin A on the expression of tyrosinase from Normal Human Melanocyte

References: 1. Marples, R.R. et al. (1974)J Invest Dermatol. 62: 326–331. 2. Margolis, D.J. (2006) LDI Issue Brief 1: 1–4. 3. Nishit, R. (2006)J Invest Dermatol. 126: 1071–1079