hypericum and Acne-Vulgaris

St. John's wort (SJW) contains hypericin, a powerful photosensitizer with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities.. To compare the efficacy and safety of SJW-photodynamic therapy (PDT) with that of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-PDT for the treatment of acne and investigate the skin rejuvenating effects of SJW-PDT.. In vitro experiments were conducted to examine the generation of reactive oxygen species and the antimicrobial effects of SJW-PDT. In the prospective, double-blind, split-face, randomized study, 31 patients with facial acne were treated with SJW or IAA with simultaneous illumination of red light and green light.. SJW produces free radicals with visible light irradiation, and the growth of Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus is significantly suppressed. One week after the last treatment, the acne lesion counts were significantly decreased in both groups (56.5% reduction in SJW, p < .001 vs 57.0% in IAA, p < .001). Significant reductions in sebum secretion, erythema index, roughness, and wrinkles were observed in both groups after the treatment. No side effects were observed.. SJW-PDT is a simple, safe, and effective treatment option for acne that is also beneficial for skin rejuvenation.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Hypericum; Photochemotherapy; Plant Extracts; Prospective Studies

St. John's wort (SJW), a commonly used herbal remedy, has been shown to compromise the efficacy of drugs, including oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), by inducing cytochrome P-450. We investigated whether the simultaneous use of SJW with OCPs resulted in elevated serum androgen levels with implications of impaired OCP treatment of hirsutism and acne.. Fifteen healthy women were treated with the low-dose OC Loestrin 1/20trade mark for 2 months and then additionally with SJW for 2 months. Androgen and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were measured in serum by immunoassay methods; free testosterone (fT) was calculated. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.. There were no statistically significant differences in androgen levels after the addition of SJW in women using Loestrin 1/20trade mark. However, there were decreases in total testosterone and fT levels (10.7% and 15.8%, respectively) along with a small increase in SHBG levels (7.0%).. In women using OCPs and SJW simultaneously, it appears that SJW does not interfere with the antiandrogenic properties of OCPs.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Androgen Antagonists; Androgens; Contraceptives, Oral; Drug Combinations; Drug Interactions; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Hirsutism; Humans; Hypericum; Norethindrone; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Single-Blind Method; Testosterone