Oxyresveratrol derived from Artocarpus lakoocha extract represents a potential natural agent for treating acne and skin inflammation

Acne and skin infections are associated with bacterial infections, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Oxyresveratrol, a major bioactive component of Artocarpus lakoocha, exhibits antibacterial activity against various bacteria. However, its activity against Cutibacterium acnes, a key acne-causing bacterium, remains underexplored. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of oxyresveratrol extracted from A. lakoocha Roxb., focusing on its antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties. We evaluated three extracts obtained from the heartwood of A. lakoocha: crude AR, AR06, and AR061. Oxyresveratrol demonstrated strong antibacterial activity with inhibition zones of 16.37–31.90 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.01–0.12 mg/ml, exhibiting bactericidal effects within 24 hours. The antioxidant activity, measured based on half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), was 30 μg/ml. Moreover, cytotoxicity assays using human skin fibroblasts revealed moderate cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 6.08 ± 1.28 mg/ml. Notably, oxyresveratrol significantly inhibited prostaglandin E2 production at non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.07–0.31 mg/ml) with inhibition rates ranging from 6.64%–16.69%. These findings establish oxyresveratrol as a promising natural agent for use in skin care formulations, offering a safer alternative to conventional treatments for acne and inflammation.