Comparison of antioxidant and anti-acne causing bacteria (P. acnes) activities of methanolic extracts from Triphala herbals

Abstract

Free radical and inflammatory mediators are factors that can be induced by air pollution leading to the occurrence of acne and wrinkle. Herbal remedies are an alternative choice for preventing or treating skin conditions. This work aims to compare the efficiency of methanolic extracts from Triphala herbals on antioxidant activity via DPPH radical scavenging assay. And anti - acne causing bacteria as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) activity was also investigated.            The results revealed that each extract showed statistically significant in antioxidant activity (p<0.05). The extract from Phyllanthus emblica L. exhibited the greatest percent of DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ of 0.08 ± 0.00 mg/ml followed by the extract from Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Triphala and Terminalia chebula Retz., respectively. Moreover, the results of anti - P. acnes activity demonstrated that the extract from Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. showed the highest anti - P. acnes activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.20 mg/ml followed by the extract from Triphala and Terminalia chebula Retz. and Phyllanthus emblica L., respectively.          It was also showed inhibition zone of 25.44 ± 1.31 mm at amount of 2 mg. Conclusively, Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is suitable to extend and develop as skin care products for acne-prone skin in the future.