Abstract:
Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent chronic dermatologic pathological
conditions in the world involving inflammation of pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and
their accompanying sebaceous gland). It is characterized by follicular hyperproliferation,
seborrhea, Propionibacterium acnes (an anaerobic bacterium that mostly resides in the
pilosebaceous follicles of the skin) and Staphylococcus aureus infection and inflammation.
Extracts of spices like seeds of Coriandrum sativum L. possess a diverse array of natural
phytochemicals which play a vital role in bacterial infections, and consequently may have
propitious anti-acne activity.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to screen anti-bacterial effect of the seed
extracts of C. sativum, develop a topical gel base and to formulate an anti-acne face gel
against P. acnes and S. aureus.
Methodology: The gel base was prepared by using carbapol 940, phenoxy ethanol, EDTA,
rose water and triethanolamine. The anti-bacterial effect of series of anti-acne gel
formulations with three different concentrations of the seed extract of C. sativum was
evaluated by agar well diffusion method. The agar plates were incubated in an anaerobic jar
with a gas pack and an indicator for 48 hours under 37 0C to determine the anti-bacterial
activity against P. acnes, and to determine the anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus, agar
plates were incubated for 24 hours under 37 0C.
Results and conclusions: All gel formulations with the seed extract of C. sativum exhibited
anti-bacterial effects against P. acnes and S. aureus. The zones of inhibition were observed
as 7-9 mm and 7-11 mm against P. acnes and S. aureus, respectively. The observations
demonstrate that all the topical gel formulations developed with the extract of C. sativum
possess anti-acne activity and the effect becomes greater when the proportion of the extract
in the formulation increases.
