Evaluation of anti-acne activity of human whole saliva against acne vulgaris: An in vitro study

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder, affecting 9.45% of the world's population. AV can be painful, discomforting, and disfiguring due to scarring, leading to physiological distress, and economic burden. AV pathogenies can be due to various factors, key ones include follicular plugging, colonization by the microorganism, endocrinological factors, and inflammation. Gram-positive bacteria Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the most common pathogens isolated from patients with AV. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the anti-acne activity of whole human saliva against bacteria that cause AV. Materials and Methods: The saliva sample from four different individuals was collected at three different intervals. These samples were used to perform antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) against the pathogens. Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility test, and Broth dilution method using Resazurin were performed. Results: The human saliva was effective in inhibiting Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis those causing AV. The Minimum inhibitory activity and disc diffusion assay depicted potency of saliva. The pH of the saliva samples was found to be more acidic in the morning samples when compared with the evening samples. The afternoon sample was found to be more effective when compared with the other two intervals. Conclusions: Saliva shows effective anti-acne activity by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of acne-causing bacteria.