A Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Topical Bakuchiol (UP256) Cream on Facial Acne.

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that manifests clinically as comedones, papules, nodules, and cysts. In this single center, open-label pilot study (ISRCTN13992386), we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of UP256 cream, a newly patented topical product containing 0.5% bakuchiol, on facial acne and acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). A series of 13 subjects enriched for Fitzpatrick skin types III–VI with mild or moderate acne received treatment with UP256 twice daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy assessments included changes in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions as well as a reduction in Evaluator Global Severity Score (EGSS) assessments of acne severity and PIH. Safety, adverse events, and cutaneous tolerability were evaluated throughout the study. UP256 significantly reduced the number of inflammatory lesions and improved existing PIH. UP256 was also cosmetically acceptable and well tolerated by all study subjects. Overall, our results demonstrate that monotherapy with UP256 improves mild to moderate acne and may be particularly well suited for individuals with skin of color. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(3):307-310. doi:10.36849/JDD.5655.

Anti-inflammatory properties of narrow-band blue light.

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band blue light (420 nm) has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. It works by exhibiting a phototoxic effect on the heme metabolism of Propionibacterium acnes. Previous studies using blue light showed more improvement in inflammatory lesions than in comedones, as well as some improvement on the untreated side. Cytokines have demonstrated a critical role in the development of inflammation. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1alpha have been shown to result in the expression of vascular and dermal adhesion molecules, the chemoattraction of inflammatory cells, and the stimulation of other inflammatory mediators. In addition, UVB radiation serves as a potent modulator of cell-mediated immune responses. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of narrow-band blue light on the inflammatory process in the presence and absence of cytokines and UVB using IL-1alpha and ICAM-1 as markers for inflammation. METHODS: Two immortalized keratinocyte cell lines were compared: HaCaT, produced by spontaneous immortalization of a genetically altered cell line, and hTERT, obtained by stable transfection of primary cell culture with human telomerase reverse transcriptase. Cells were treated with INF-y and TNF-alpha and exposed to UVB (312 nm at 50 mJ/cm2) and/or blue light (420 nm at 54 mJ/cm2 and 134 mJ/cm2). The expression of IL-1alpha and ICAM-1 was measured by quantitative ELISA. RESULTS: The results showed that blue light and low-dose UVB treatment of HaCaT and hTERT cells resulted in inhibition of cytokine-induced production of IL-1alpha. The level of IL-1alpha decreased by 82% in HaCaT and by 75% in hTERT cells when exposed to blue light. It decreased by 95% in HaCaT and by 91% in hTERT cells when blue light was used in combination with UVB. ICAM-1 expression was similarly reduced in HaCaT, but not in hTERT cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that narrow-band blue light has anti-inflammatory effects on keratinocytes by decreasing the cytokine-induced production of IL-1alpha and ICAM-1. In addition, blue light demonstrated synergistic effects with low-dose UVB light. These results expand the properties of narrow-band blue light in modulating the inflammatory process and will facilitate testing of its phototherapeutic applications in different inflammatory skin conditions.