Scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) have been able to demonstrate that the grape derivative resveratrol can effectively inhibit the growth of the bacteria that causes acne, known as Propionibacterium acnes. The scientists also found that combining antioxidant resveratrol with benzoyl peroxide – a common acne medication and an oxide – may enhance the two drugs’ ability to kill bacteria, which can cause acne to develop.
“Since the actions of the two compounds are opposing, we initially thought that the combination should cancel the other out, but they didn't,” said Dr Emma Taylor, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the dermatology division of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the study’s first author. “This study demonstrates that an oxidant and an antioxidant may enhance each other and help sustain bacteria-fighting activity over a longer period of time.”
In the tests, benzoyl peroxide initially killed the bacteria in petri dishes, but the effect only lasted 24 hours. Resveratrol, in contrast, was not an effective killer, but it did inhibit bacterial growth for a longer period of time. The research team found that the two compounds together proved the most effective in reducing bacteria counts.
