

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Year : 2015 | Volume : 35 | Issue : 1 | Page : 29-36

Significance of topical propolis in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris



Basma M Mohammad Ali1, Naglaa F Ghoname2, Abeer A Hodeib MD 1, Marwa A Elbadawy1

1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt



Date of Submission 26-Nov-2014 Date of Acceptance 29-Apr-2015 Date of Web Publication 7-Aug-2015

Correspondence Address:

Abeer A Hodeib

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Tanta University, 31527 Tanta

Egypt

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None Check

DOI: 10.4103/1110-6530.162468



Abstract

Background

Acne is a common skin disorder affecting the pilosebaceous unit, arising commonly during adolescence and causing psychological stress. The pathogenesis of acne is attributed to multiple factors. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules, and sometimes nodules and cysts. Propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers because of its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and bacteriological significance of topical propolis extracts in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris.

Patients and methods

This study included 40 patients with facial acne vulgaris. The patients were classified into two groups: group I included 20 patients who were treated with a topical solution of ethanolic extract of propolis, and group II included 20 patients who were treated with a topical solution of ethanol only and served as the control group. Patients were evaluated clinically to assess the efficacy of therapy after treatment. Bacteriological examination was carried out before and after treatment to assess the antimicrobial effect of propolis.

Results

There was a highly significant clinical efficacy of topical solution of ethanolic extract of propolis in the treatment of acne vulgaris. There was a highly significant bacteriological efficacy of topical solution of ethanolic extract of propolis on gram-positive aerobic (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and gram-positive anaerobic bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes).

Conclusion

Topical propolis is a promising, effective, well-tolerated, safe, and alternative medication for acne vulgaris. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Further studies are needed for its application in different skin diseases.

Keywords: Acne, antimicrobial, topical propolis

How to cite this article:

Mohammad Ali BM, Ghoname NF, Hodeib AA, Elbadawy MA. Significance of topical propolis in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Egypt J Dermatol Venerol 2015;35:29-36

How to cite this URL:

Mohammad Ali BM, Ghoname NF, Hodeib AA, Elbadawy MA. Significance of topical propolis in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Egypt J Dermatol Venerol [serial online] 2015 [cited 2020 Sep 18];35:29-36. Available from: http://www.ejdv.eg.net/text.asp?2015/35/1/29/162468

Introduction

Patients and methods

Grade I (noninflammatory): 0-5 comedones, and/or occasional papules. Grade II (mild inflammatory): 6-20 papules, comedones, and/or few pustules. Grade III (moderate inflammatory): 21-50 predominant pustules, nodules and/or abscesses. Grade IV (severe inflammatory): more than 50 lesions, mainly cysts, abscesses and/or widespread scarring.

Figure 1: (a, b) Grade I acne patient (noninflammatory) before and after treatment with ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) (good response).



Click here to view

Figure 2: (a, b) Grade II acne patient (mild inflammatory) before and after treatment with EEP (very good response).



Click here to view

Figure 3: (a, b) Grade II acne patient (mild inflammatory) before and after treatment with EEP (excellent response).



Click here to view

Figure 4: (a, b) Grade III acne patient (moderate inflammatory) before and after treatment with EEP (excellent response).



Click here to view

Figure 5: (a, b) Grade IV acne patient (severe inflammatory) before and after treatment with EEP (excellent response).



Click here to view

Figure 6: (a, b) Grade I acne patient (noninflammatory) before and after treatment with 80% ethanol (poor response).



Click here to view

Figure 7: (a, b) Grade II acne patient (mild inflammatory) before and after treatment with 80% ethanol (poor response).



Click here to view

Figure 8: (a, b) Grade III acne patient (moderate inflammatory) before and after treatment with 80% ethanol (poor response).



Click here to view

Figure 9: (a, b) Grade IV acne patient (severe inflammatory) before and after treatment with 80% ethanol (poor response).



Click here to view

The primary stain is crystal violet and the secondary stain is safranin. If the bacteria are gram positive, they retain the primary stain (crystal violet) and are not stained with the secondary stain (safranin), and appear violet/purple under a microscope. If the bacteria are gram negative, they lose the primary stain (crystal violet) and take the secondary stain and appear red when viewed under a microscope.

2

Excellent results: improvement in more than 75% of the lesions, as compared with pretreatment condition. Very good results: improvement in more than 50-75% of the lesions. Good results: improvement in more than 25% and less than 50% of the lesions. Poor results: improvement in less than 25% of the lesions.

Results

Table 1:Comparison between group I and II as regards clinical efficacy of treatment



Click here to view

Table 2: Relation between clinical efficacy of propolis in group I and acne grades of severity



Click here to view

Table 3:Comparison between the two groups as regards tolerability and safety



Click here to view

Figure 10 :(a, b) Aerobic culture on blood agar: circular bacterial colonies, pinhead, convex with entire margins and white-to-cream colored.



Click here to view

Figure 11: Staphylococcus epidermidis: aerobic culture on nutrient agar: circular bacterial colonies, 2– 3 mm in diameter with smooth shiny surface.



Click here to view

Figure 12: (a, b) Propionibacterium acnes: anaerobic culture on blood agar: polymorphic, white, and opaque.



Click here to view

Figure 13: (a, b) Staphylococcus epidermidis: heavy and light colonization: gram-positive cocci, arranged in grape-like clusters, gram stain (×100).



Click here to view

Figure 14: (a, b) Propionibacterium acnes: heavy and light colonization: grampositive bacteria, rod-shaped or branched, singular, in pairs, or in groups, gram stain (×100).



Click here to view

Figure 15: a, b) Biochemical reactions (catalase and coagulase tests): Staphylococcus epidermidis: catalase positive (gas bubbles) and coagulase negative (no gelling of plasma).



Click here to view

Figure 16: (a, b) Biochemical reactions (catalase and coagulase tests): Propionibacterium acnes: catalase positive (gas bubbles) and coagulase negative (no gelling of plasma).



Click here to view

Table 4: Bacteriological examination of acne lesions before and after treatment in both groups



Click here to view

Table 5: Relation between efficacy of ethanolic extract of propolis and bacteriological examination after treatment



Click here to view

Discussion

Acknowledgements

References

1. 206 :96-105.

Koreck A, Pivarcsi A, Dobozy A, Kemény L. The role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatology 2003;:96-105. 2. 206 :37-53.

Zouboulis CC, Piquero-Martin J. Update and future of systemic acne treatment. Dermatology 2003;:37-53. 3. et al. New developments in our understanding of acne pathogenesis and treatment. Exp Dermatol 2009; 18 :821-832.

Kurokawa I, Danby FW, Ju Q, Wang X, Xiang LF, Xia L,New developments in our understanding of acne pathogenesis and treatment. Exp Dermatol 2009;:821-832. 4. 7 :22-31.

Khalil ML. Biological activity of bee propolis in health and disease. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2006;:22-31. 5. 73 :R117-R124.

Viuda-Martos M, Ruiz-Navajas Y, Fernández-López J, Pérez-Alvarez JA. Functional properties of honey, propolis, and royal jelly. J Food Sci 2008;:R117-R124. 6. 4 :779-793.

Farooqui T, Farooqui AA. Beneficial effects of propolis on human health and neurological diseases. Front Biosci (Elite Ed) 2012;:779-793. 7. Paenibacillus larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2008; 97 :273-281.

Bastos EM, Simone M, Jorge DM, Soares AE, Spivak M. In vitro study of the antimicrobial activity of Brazilian propolis againstlarvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2008;:273-281. 8. 29 :142-147.

Holcova S, Hladikova M. Efficacy and tolerance of a hypoallergenic propolis special extract GH 2002 in the galenic form a shower gel/shampoo on patients with acne vulgaris: an open dermatological study. Kosmetische Medizin 2008;:142-147. 9. 75 :323-326.

Adityan B, Kumari R, Thappa DM. Scoring systems in acne vulgaris. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2009;:323-326. 10. 75 :101.

El-Gamal AH, Al-Otaibi SR, Alshamali A, Abdulrazzaq A, Najem N, Fouzan AA. Polymerase chain reaction is no better than gram stain for diagnosis of gonococcal urethritis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2009;:101. 11. Staphylococcus lugdunensis: report of 16 cases. Infection 2013; 41 :525-528.

Papapetropoulos N, Papapetropoulou M, Vantarakis A. Abscesses and wound infections due to: report of 16 cases. Infection 2013;:525-528. 12. 2013 :308249.

Wagh VD. Propolis: a wonder bees product and its pharmacological potentials. Adv Pharmacol Sci 2013;:308249. 13. 3 :159-162.

Eshwar S, Suma B. Health from the hive: potential uses of propolis in general health. Int J Clin Med 2012;:159-162. 14. et al. Chemical composition and biological activity of a new type of Brazilian propolis: red propolis. J Ethnopharmacol 2007; 113 : 278-283.

Alencar SM, Oldoni TL, Castro ML, Cabral IS, Costa-Neto CM, Cury JA,Chemical composition and biological activity of a new type of Brazilian propolis: red propolis. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;: 278-283. 15. 165 :474-485.

Shaheen B, Gonzalez M. A microbial aetiology of acne: what is the evidence? Br J Dermatol 2011;:474-485. 16. et al. A small peptide with therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. PLoS One 2013; 8 :e72923.

Zhang Z, Mu L, Tang J, Duan Z, Wang F, Wei L,A small peptide with therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. PLoS One 2013;:e72923. 17. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from acne lesions. J Dermatol 2000; 27 :318-323.

Nishijima S, Kurokawa I, Katoh N, Watanabe K. The bacteriology of acne vulgaris and antimicrobial susceptibility ofandisolated from acne lesions. J Dermatol 2000;:318-323. 18.

Fokt H, Pereira A, Ferreira AM, Cunha A, Aguiar C. How do bees prevent hive infection? The antimicrobial properties of propolis In: Current research, technology and education, topics in applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Méndez-Vilas A ed. 2010; Formatex: Badajoz, Spain:481-493. 19. 83 :159-160.

Grange JM, Davey RW. Antibacterial properties of propolis (bee glue). J R Soc Med 1990;:159-160.

Figures

Tables