The Effect of Chinese Herbs on Acne Pathogens

Chinese herbs have been used for a long period of time and less side effects than synthesized chemical drugs. Therefore, using Chinese herbs as natural additives in cosmetics becomes popular in recent years. The methanol extracts of Scutellariae Radix, Lithospermi Radix, Lonicerae Flos, Andrographitis. Herba, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, Hedyotis Diffusae Herba, Isatidis Folium, Magnoliae Liliflorae Flos, Forsythiae Fructus, Anmarrhenae Rhizoma, Spirodelae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Prunellae Spica, Equiseti Hiemalis Herba, Gentianae Radix, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Fraxini Cortex, Lycii Radicis Cortex, Violae Herba, Lophatheri Herba, Matricariae chamomillae Flos, Taraxaci Herba and Scutellariae Barbatae Herba are used to test the efficiency of inhibiting acne pathogens. Twenty-six Chinese herbs are extracted by methanol, and then condensed to dried powder. These extracts are divided into water-soluble part and DMSO soluble part. These two type solutions are tested for the effect on acne pathogens by paper disc diffusion method. The results show that the substances of water soluble part which are Coptidis Rhizoma, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba have medium to high activity of inhibiting acne pathogents, and the substances of DMSO soluble part which are Coptidis Rhizoma, Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba also have medium to high activity of inhibiting acne pathogens. Using Chinese herbs as natural additives in cosmetics is convenience and valuable application in cosmetceutical research and development. Therefore, it is worth that re-investigation and find out the potential of Chinese herbs being use in cosmetics.