Literature Review: The Potential of Herbal Plants as Alternative Therapy for Acne Based on Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities
DOI:
10.29303/jbt.v26i4.12032Published:
2026-10-06Downloads
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit influenced by multiple factors, including increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, bacterial colonization, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Although conventional treatments such as antibiotics, retinoids, and benzoyl peroxide are effective, their use is often associated with side effects and the risk of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for safer alternative therapies. This study aims to evaluate the potential of herbal plants as alternative treatments for acne based on their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The method used was a narrative literature review of scientific articles published within the last five years and available in full-text. The findings indicate that several herbal plants exhibit moderate to very strong antibacterial activity, including ashitaba, garlic, and green tea. In addition, plants such as turmeric, propolis, and green tea demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators. Antioxidant activity also plays an important role in neutralizing free radicals and promoting skin recovery, as observed in propolis and green tea. Among all reviewed plants, green tea appears to be the most prominent due to its combined antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Therefore, herbal plants show promising potential as alternative or complementary therapies in the management of acne vulgaris, although further studies are needed to confirm their clinical efficacy and safety.
Keywords:
Acne vulgaris Antibacterial Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Herbal plantsReferences
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