Borneol essential oil: Enzyme-assisted extraction, inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes, , and study on acne treatment mechanism based on network pharmacology-molecular docking

Borneol essential oil (BEO), a plant essential oil derived from hydrodistillation of fresh branches and leaves of Cinnamomum camphora (L.). This study optimized cellulase and xylanase-assisted BEO, extraction using an orthogonal design. Additionally, it explored the inhibitory effects of BEO on Propionibacterium acnes and elucidated the anti-bacterial mechanisms via molecular docking. Furthermore, the acne treatment mechanism of BEO was investigated using network pharmacology-molecular docking. The findings indicated that the concentration of borneol in BEO was 2.34 times higher than that achieved through hydrodistillation. This enhancement was achieved by adding enzymes in a volume equivalent to 2% of the raw material, followed by a 2-hour enzymolysis process conducted at 40degree celsius. BEO exhibited a significant inhibition zone of 31.6 +/- 0.5 +/- 0.5 mm against Propionibacterium acnes. . Molecular docking analysis revealed that six, three, and one chemical components in BEO exhibited molecular binding energies exceeding 5.00 kJ/mol with key target proteins involved in the pathogenesis of Propionibacterium acnes: : deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I), dermatan sulfate (DsA1), and Christie, Atkins, Munch- Peterson (CAMP), respectively. This indicates a close relationship between the chemical components and the target proteins. Network pharmacology analysis identified 40 common targets between BEO and acne formation, from which 12 key targets were identified. Among these, ovarian steroidogenesis exhibited the highest degree of enrichment in the signaling pathway. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the development of acne treatment cosmetics utilizing BEO.