Abstract

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin problems affecting approximately 9.4% of the global population. It is caused by Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Extracts from Curculigo latifolia Dryand. Ex W.T. Aiton are rich in bioactive substances with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to identify the active secondary metabolite and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of C. latifolia against P. acnes, S. aureus and S. epidermidis both in vitro and in silico. The roots, stems and leaves of the C. latifolia plant were extracted by maceration. Each extract was screened for inhibitory activity against the selected bacterial species. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract of leaves significantly inhibited the growth of all the tested bacterial species. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed ten compounds including flavonoids, phenolics and terpenoids. Molecular docking analysis of target proteins of P. acne, S. aureus and S. epidermidis against the identified compounds showed good interactions observed through free binding energy, inhibition constants and hydrogen bonds parameters. These compounds were 13-apo-beta-carotene; 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one; 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one; tangeritin and tetramethylscutellarein. The results of the present study regarding antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate extract of C. latifolia leaves will lead to develop this extract as an antibacterial candidate in alternative acne treatment.