ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIACNE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF POGOSTEMON PLECTRANTHOIDES

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder in which oxidative stress and microbial colonization play a significant role in disease progression. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antiacne activities of the ethanolic extract of Pogostemon plectranthoides. The dried plant material was extracted using ethanol, and the percentage yield was determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out to identify major bioactive constituents. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using standard colorimetric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay using ascorbic acid as the standard. In vivo antiacne activity was evaluated in rats using a Propionibacterium acnes–induced acne model, with clindamycin serving as the reference drug. The ethanolic extract yielded 11.8% w/w and was found to contain flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, diterpenes, and tannins. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 0.52 mg/100 mg and 0.97 mg/100 mg, respectively. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 51.76 µg/ml, compared to 20.33 µg/ml for ascorbic acid. In vivo studies demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent reduction in acne-induced inflammation, as evidenced by decreased ear thickness in rats treated with the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.). The higher dose showed marked antiacne activity comparable to the standard drug clindamycin. The results indicate that the ethanolic extract of Pogostemon plectranthoides possesses significant antioxidant and antiacne properties, which may be attributed to its phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The study supports the potential use of this plant as a natural therapeutic agent for the management of acne and oxidative stress-related skin disorders.