ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The exact role of aerobic bacteria in the pathogenesis of acne remains controversial but several reports showed that these microorganisms were important in the development of acne lesions and affected the severity of acne by being involved in the inflammatory process. There were several attempts to improve and prevent the acne lesions by using soap or cosmetics containing anti-microbial agents. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the sebum secretion rates and the number of aerobic bacteria in acne patients after 4 weeks trial of RT cream containing 0.1% tea-tree oil and 0.01% Ramulus mori extract. METHODS: We studied 10 normal controls and 20 acne patients. Sebum secretion was measured by Sebumeter. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing numbers of non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. Aerobic bacteria was also cultured from control group and acne patients group before and after RT cream use. RESULTS: Sebum secretion rates in acne patients were higher than those in control, but not statistically significant. Total number of aerobic bacteria in acne patients was higher than that in control (p<0.05). The aerobic bacteria consisted of coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus sp., S. aureus in both acne patients and control. After 4 weeks, the number of inflammatory lesions had decreased (p<0.05%). In addition, the number of aerobic bacteria showed the tendency of decrease after RT cream use. CONCLUSION: RT cream consisting of 0.1% tea tree oil and 0.01% Ramulus mori extract was found to be effective and safe for acne patients with especially inflammatory lesions.