Exploring the Potential of Enzymes to Combat Acne

Sammanfattning

Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disease affecting approximately 9.4 % of the population. It arises from four primary factors: increased sebum production, hyperkeratinization, bacterial colonization, and inflammation, leading to both non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. Current treatments include topical and systemic anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and retinols, which often have adverse effects like dry, irritated skin, and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, alternative treatments are desirable. Cutibacterium acnes, a Grampositive bacterium involved in the pathogenesis of acne, forms biofilms that hinder treatment efficacy. Enzymes such as proteases, nucleases and lysozymes have shown potential in eradicating these biofilms, thereby preventing the formation of acne lesions without irritating the skin. In this study, biofilms were grown on 96-well polystyrene plates and exposed to varying concentrations of different enzymes. Crystal violet and resazurin assays were conducted to assess biofilm growth and eradication. Results indicate that nucleases show potential in eradicating biofilms, whereas proteases did not exhibit consistent biofilm-degrading abilities. However, the studies on the enzymes are not conclusive, and dose dependency could not be interpreted. Since the current conditions may have disrupted the biofilm maturation, further studies with a modified experimental design optimized for biofilm growth are required. Current treatments for acne are limited and often inadequate. Continued research on enzymes could pave the way for viable alternative treatment options for acne patients.