Acne is a prevalent skin condition that affects individuals across all age groups, often causing physical discomfort and distress. The primary pathogenic organism associated with acne is Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), a commensal bacterium found in abundance within inflammatory acne lesions, such as comedones. Current FDA-approved topical treatments for acne, including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol, are effective but often insufficient for managing inflammation. Over-reliance on antibiotics further complicates the situation by encouraging antimicrobial resistance.
This study explored the effects of combining salicylic acid with a novel water-soluble polysaccharide blend to address the inflammatory cascade in acne. Reconstructed Human Epidermis models treated with C. acnes provided a controlled environment for examining the inflammatory markers caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), both critical components of the skin’s innate immune response.
Methods
The study employed an in vitro Reconstructed Human Epidermis model pre-treated with C. acnes for 48 hours to induce an inflammatory response. The tissues were then treated with either salicylic acid alone (1% or 2%) or in combination with the polysaccharide blend (1% and 3%).
Two key inflammasome-mediated inflammatory markers were analyzed:
- Caspase-1: A protease enzyme activated by NOD-like receptor protein-induced inflammasomes.
- IL-1β: A pro-inflammatory cytokine activated by caspase-1.
The expression of these markers was quantified to assess the impact of the treatments on C. acnes-induced inflammation.
Key Findings
- Caspase-1 Expression:
- C. acnes exposure significantly increased caspase-1 levels.
- Treatments with 1% and 2% salicylic acid further elevated caspase-1 expression compared to untreated tissues.
- Combining 2% salicylic acid with 1% and 3% polysaccharide blend significantly reduced caspase-1 levels below those observed with salicylic acid alone.
- At 3% polysaccharide blend, caspase-1 expression decreased significantly compared to C. acnes-treated controls.
- IL-1β Expression:
- C. acnes induced a notable increase in IL-1β levels.
- Salicylic acid treatments (1% and 2%) further amplified IL-1β expression.
- Adding 1% and 3% polysaccharide blend significantly lowered IL-1β levels compared to salicylic acid treatments alone, though they remained above C. acnes-treated controls.
These findings indicate that the polysaccharide blend can mitigate inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses triggered by C. acnes, enhancing the anti-inflammatory efficacy of salicylic acid.
The study demonstrates the potential of combining salicylic acid with a water-soluble polysaccharide blend to address C. acnes-induced inflammatory responses in Reconstructed Human Epidermis models. However, this study was limited to in vitro models, and its findings need validation through clinical trials to confirm their applicability to real-world scenarios. Future research should explore the impact of this combination treatment on post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) to further understand its benefits in acne management.
Link to the study: https://tinyurl.com/4m9ffx4w
