ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PEGANUM HARMALA EXTRACTS AND THEIR GREEN SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST ACNE ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with abnormal Propionibacterium acnes proliferation and presence of acne associated bacteria. The aim of this study was to examine the antibacterial effect of Peganum harmala extracts and their silver nanoparticles on acne associated bacteria. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using P. harmala extract was characterized by UV-Vis Spectroscopy, ICP-AE Spectroscopy, FT-IR Spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The susceptibility of P. acnes and other acne associated bacteria to P. harmala extracts and AgNPs was tested by using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The MIC values for AgNPs against P. acnes and S. aureus were the same (12 mu g/mL) while for S. pyogenes it showed less MIC and MBC value (6 mu g/mL). The methanolic extract displayed a higher antibacterial activity compared with the aqueous extract against P. acnes, S. pyogenes, S. aureus and K. pneumoniae (26.5 +/- 3.5, 19.5 +/- 0.5, 35 +/- 1 and 19 +/- 1 mm, respectively) and their MIC values against S. pyogenes and K. pneumoniae were the same (1 mg/mL) while for P. acnes, the maximum MIC value was 2 mg/mL. The results revealed no significant effect of metallic nanoparticles and methanolic P. harmala extract on P. acnes and S. pyogenes co-culture. The antibacterial activity of P. harmala extracts and their silver nanoparticles on P. acnes and other acne associated bacteria is recommended for further studies such as in vivo and anti-inflammatory studies as it might be considered as a treatment option for acne cases..