Alpha- and gamma-mangostins exhibit anti-acne activities via multiple mechanisms.

Acne is a chronic skin disease that involves four key pathogenic factors: excess sebum production, ductal epidermal hyperproliferation, () colonization, and skin inflammation. Mangostins are well-known for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that mangostins may have therapeutic potential for acne. The present study aimed to explore the anti-acne effects of mangostins from the perspective of multiple pathogenic mechanisms of acne. The effects of - and -mangostins on the growth of and lipase activity were analyzed. Their effects on -induced keratinocyte proliferation were examined by CCK-8. The expression of inflammatory genes and activation of NF-B and MAPK signaling pathways were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Alpha- and -mangostins not only inhibited the growth of , but also reduced the proliferation of keratinocytes induced by heat-killed . Furthermore, - and -mangostins were able to suppress -induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-, IL-1, and IL-6 in keratinocytes by inhibiting the activation of NF-B and MAPK signaling pathways. Mangostins appeared to possess multiple anti-acne activities, including the inhibition of growth, regulation of keratinocytes proliferation, and attenuation of skin inflammatory reaction. Hence, mangostins might be developed into a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne.