Acne improved and anti inflammatory traits exhibited when CBD (Cannabidoil) treatment was analyed in this review.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting about 85% of individuals aged 12–24.
It is a multifactorial disease characterized by excessive sebum production, abnormal shedding of skin cells, and inflammation, often involving Cutibacterium acnes.
Conventional treatments include topical retinoids, over-the-counter antimicrobial agents, and systemic options like oral antibiotics and isotretinoin.
However, significant side effects and antibiotic resistance can hinder patient compliance.
Therefore, exploring natural plant-derived treatments is appealing.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from Cannabis sativa, shows promise in managing inflammatory diseases, including acne.
This review highlights CBD’s potential benefits for acne treatment, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies indicate that CBD and other cannabis constituents effectively reduce inflammation and inflammatory cytokines, suggesting they are safe and well-tolerated alternatives for acne.
Acne vulgaris (acne), ranking as the 8th most prevalent disease globally, impacts approximately 9.4% of the world’s population. In the United States, it is estimated that at least 40 million individuals are affected, making it the most common dermatological condition.
While it predominantly occurs in adolescents, acne can also initiate in younger children and persist into adulthood.
This widespread condition is not only linked to physical discomfort and skin scarring but also poses emotional and psychological challenges.
Notably, with its prevalence affecting 85% of adolescents, acne can lead to significant psychosocial consequences, including diminished self-perception, lowered self-esteem, reduced social interactions, and a decline in overall quality of life.
Nevertheless, challenges in accessing effective treatment options and maintaining adherence to treatment protocols remain key obstacles.
Acne is a complex disease resulting from multiple factors, with its onset and progression influenced by the interplay of various elements, including stress, hormonal fluctuations, and nutritional changes.
Pathologically, acne manifests as an inflammatory condition affecting the pilosebaceous units, which comprise the hair follicle, hair shaft, and sebaceous gland.
These sebaceous glands are predominantly located on the face, chest, and back.
Key factors in the pathogenesis of acne include excessive sebum production (hyperseborrhea), abnormal shedding of skin cells (hyperkeratinization), accumulation of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) within the pilosebaceous units, and resultant inflammation disrupting sebaceous gland functionality. Androgen hormones, particularly testosterone, are known to stimulate sebum production and are closely associated with the development of comedones.
Comedones arise when the pilosebaceous units become obstructed with sebum and can be categorized as open comedones (blackheads) or closed comedones (whiteheads).
Follicular hyperkeratinization transpires when the keratinocytes lining the sebaceous follicle lose cohesion, leading to rapid cell shedding and subsequent microcomedone formation.
The presence of C. acnes in the sebaceous follicle can further induce comedogenesis and the manifestation of acne. C. acnes, previously known as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), is a gram-positive anaerobic commensal bacterium integral to the skin’s microbiota, playing a role in maintaining skin homeostasis.
However, its colonization within the pilosebaceous units, especially in regions rich in sebaceous follicles with a lipid-rich environment, represents a pathological characteristic of acne.
While C. acnes is present on the skin of all individuals, the development of acne is influenced by individual immunological responses to this bacterium, which can trigger the formation of comedones and the release of inflammatory mediators.
Upon detection of C. acnes, the immune system initiates an inflammatory response, resulting in the activation and influx of inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes and neutrophils, along with the release of inflammatory substances, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
Consequently, these inflammatory mediators play a significant role in the inflammation process and the resulting chemical damage to the follicle epithelium and adjacent dermis.
Managing acne involves topical and systemic treatments. Topical retinoids like tretinoin and erythromycin help clear pores and reduce inflammation, while over-the-counter creams with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide treat mild to moderate acne.
For severe cases, oral antibiotics like minocycline and doxycycline are often used.
If antibiotics fail, oral Isotretinoin may be prescribed to control bacteria C. acnes, reduce oil production, and lessen inflammation.
Low-dose estrogen contraceptives can also alleviate persistent acne due to anti-androgenic effects.
However, these treatments have notable drawbacks affecting adherence.
Topical retinoids can irritate skin, causing burning and dryness, prompting patients to discontinue early. Prolonged antibiotic use may lead to bacterial resistance, and Isotretinoin poses risks during pregnancy.
These potential side effects highlight the need for new, safe, natural therapies.
Many plant-based substances have been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, with Cannabidiol emerging as a promising option.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant.
Research into CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects has gained interest, with studies supporting its potential for treating diseases related to inflammation, such as immune and neurodegenerative conditions.
Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved prescription CBD drug for seizures.
CBD works by influencing the immune system to reduce inflammation and cytokine production.
Notably, CBD has a low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and may impact the TRPV1 channel and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, inhibiting cytokines tied to immune diseases.
It lowers inflammatory cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-6, as shown in studies.
Additionally, CBD blocks the uptake of adenosine, enhancing its signaling, which helps further decrease inflammation.
Overall, understanding CBD’s role in reducing inflammation is key to exploring its potential as a new treatment.
Next, we will discuss the potential use of CBD for treating acne.
A study examined how CBD impacts human sebaceous glands by testing it on sebocytes under “acne-like” conditions.
The research indicated that CBD can reduce excess oil production (lipogenesis) in sebocyte cultures treated with inflammatory compounds such as arachidonic acid and testosterone.
CBD also lowered the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.
After 24 hours of exposure to lipopolysaccharides, TNF-α levels were significantly reduced with 10 μM CBD, demonstrating its potential for treating acne.
Another study explored hemp seed hexane extracts (HSHE) for anti-acne properties. Similar to CBD, HSHE is non-psychoactive and shows anti-inflammatory benefits. In a keratinocyte cell line, 0.6% HSHE reduced inflammation caused by C. acnes by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Additionally, 3% cannabis seed extracts were tested in humans, showing a decrease in skin redness (erythema) measured every two weeks over 12 weeks.
The cream was safe and well-tolerated, demonstrating positive results in reducing skin redness.
Acne is a common skin issue in the US, affecting nearly 50 million individuals.
This condition can lead to skin irritation, scarring, and emotional distress.
Standard treatments can have side effects, emphasizing the need for new, natural options. CBD, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been studied in various inflammatory conditions, showing potential for acne treatment by modulating inflammatory pathways and reducing cytokine production.
Studies indicate that CBD lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β.
Hemp seed extracts, including CBD, are believed to reduce inflammation without psychoactive effects. They also decrease inflammation caused by C. acnes and protect cells from inflammatory radicals.
A small study found a cannabis-derived cream effective in reducing skin inflammation.
However, challenges remain, including the need for reliable animal models and larger human studies to evaluate CBD’s clinical effects on acne.
Future research should assess CBD concentration and delivery methods for acne treatment, as it could become a valuable adjunct therapy.
Reference:
Peyravian N, Deo S, Daunert S, Jimenez JJ. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. J Inflamm Res. 2022 May 3;15:2795-2801. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S355489. PMID: 35535052; PMCID: PMC9078861.
Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine
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