A Mini Review Validating the Therapeutic Potential of Psorospermum febrifugum Spach Extracts in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND

This study explored the potential of Psorospermum febrifugum extracts as a promising natural treatment option for acne vulgaris. Previous research suggests that P. febrifugum extracts might hold promise against factors that worsen acne vulgaris. This valuable information is however still scattered across various scientific publications, and this has hindered its accessibility, comprehensive understanding, and easy usage. There is need to review, synthesize, and compile this valuable information into a user-friendly article to enable easy understanding, accessibility, and usability of P. febrifugum bark extract as an option to treat acne vulgaris.

METHODS

A comprehensive assessment, synthesis, and compilation of the potential of P. febrifugum for treatment of acne vulgaris were conducted through review of work done across major scientific databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar), among studies published in English between April 1980 and April 2022. The search focused on studies that investigated the plant description, traditional medicinal usage, active components of P. febrifugum, its safety profile, and its efficacy against factors contributing to acne vulgaris lesions. The study included in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and clinical trials while excluding computer-modeled (in silico) studies.

RESULTS

From an initial 200 search results, 37 full-text articles inclusive of three informative abstracts met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that P. febrifugum extracts possessed several properties beneficial for acne treatment, including anti-inflammatory response, antibacterial properties, antioxidant activity, antilipase activity, and keratolytic properties (promoting skin cell shedding). Notably, key bioactive compounds such as garcinone E, psorospermin, mangiferin, and betulinic acid exhibit distinct structural features, including prenylation and hydroxylation, that contribute to their ability to inhibit microbial growth, suppress inflammation, regulate lipid metabolism, and all critical pathways in acne pathogenesis. These structural-functional relationships between phytochemicals and acne mechanisms support the pharmacological promise of this plant extract.

CONCLUSION

The review suggests that P. febrifugum holds significant therapeutic potential against factors that aggravate acne vulgaris severity. The stem bark of P. febrifugum is therefore a promising raw material that could be used to develop topical formulations (gels or creams) for the treatment of acne vulgaris disease.