The Development of Anti-Acne Products from Eucalyptus globulus and Psidium guajava Oil

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the main chemical constituents of volatile oils from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus) and Psidium guajava L. (guava) and to develop stable anti-acne preparations from these medicinal plants. Volatile oils from eucalyptus and guava leaves were extracted by hydrodistillation and then were analyzed of their main chemical components by means of GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oils was determined by agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods. The GC/MS results showed that the main chemical constituents in the volatile oils from eucalyptus and guava leaves were gamma-terpinene and alpha-pinene. These volatile oils showed good antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes (MIC, MBC = 9.38 mg/ml for eucalyptus oil and MIC = 9.38 mg/ml, MBC = 37.50 mg/ml for guava oil). Further, oilin- water creams incorporating 2% w/w eucalyptus oil and 4% w/w guava oils were prepared. Both of them had satisfied texture and exhibited good stability after stored at -4°C and 45°C alternately (freeze-thawing) for 4 cycles. In addition, they had antimicrobial activity against P. acnes determined by agar well diffusion method (inhibition zone = 8.0 and 9.0 mm for eucalyptus cream and guava cream, respectively) compared to commercial 5% benzoyl peroxide anti-acne gel.