Find in Library

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin disorder affecting many young individuals, marked by keratinization, inflammation, seborrhea, and colonization by <i>Cutibacterium acnes</i> (<i>C. acnes</i>). Ellagitannins, known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, have not been widely studied for their anti-acne effects. Chestnut (<i>Castanea sativa</i> Mill., <i>C. sativa</i>), a rich ellagitannin source, including castalagin whose acne-related bioactivity was previously unexplored, was investigated in this study. The research assessed the effect of <i>C. sativa</i> leaf extract and castalagin on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) infected with <i>C. acnes</i>, finding that both inhibited IL-8 and IL-6 release at concentrations below 25 μg/mL. The action mechanism was linked to NF-κB inhibition, without AP-1 involvement. Furthermore, the extract displayed anti-biofilm properties and reduced CK-10 expression, indicating a potential role in mitigating inflammation, bacterial colonization, and keratosis. Castalagin’s bioactivity mirrored the extract’s effects, notably in IL-8 inhibition, NF-κB inhibition, and biofilm formation at low μM levels. Other polyphenols, such as flavonol glycosides identified via LC-MS, might also contribute to the extract’s biological activities. This study is the first to explore ellagitannins’ potential in treating acne, offering insights for developing chestnut-based anti-acne treatments pending future in vivo studies.