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Topical methylene blue nanoformulation for the photodynamic therapy of acne vulgaris

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Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease caused by multifactorial reasons involving excessive sebum secretion and inflammation by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). Various conventional therapies are available for the treatment of acne vulgaris; however, topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted much attention because of its great potential for sebum-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Although 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been broadly used as a photosensitizer for topical PDT, it has several limitations such as long incubation time, pain, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Here, we report a biocompatible nanoformulation consisting of methylene blue and salicylic acid (MBSD), as a potent PDT and acne therapeutics, enclosed within oleic acid. Photoactivated MBSD showed antimicrobial activity against C. acnes along with long-term stability. When 24 patients with acne were treated with MBSD and light irradiation 5 times at 1-week intervals, MBSD-based PDT exhibited a remarkable reduction in acne lesions and sebum production. In addition, the therapeutic procedure was painless and safe, without any adverse events. Therefore, MBSD is a promising topical PDT agent for biocompatible, safe, and effective acne treatment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the research fund from D.R.Nano Co., Ltd.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

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Author notes

  1. Yong-Deok Lee and Jin-Kyoung Yang contributed equally to the work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical & Biological integrative Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea

    Yong-Deok Lee, Jin-Kyoung Yang & Sehoon Kim

  2. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Yong-Deok Lee & Joona Bang

  3. Research & Development Division, D.R.NANO Co., Ltd., Seoul, 02708, Republic of Korea

    Yong-Deok Lee & Sunmi Han

  4. Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, 13620, Republic of Korea

    Bo Ri Kim & Jung-Won Shin

  5. KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Sehoon Kim

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Correspondence to Joona Bang or Sehoon Kim.

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The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by Ethics Committee of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (approval number B-1609-3654-006 and date of approval 31 October 2016).

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Lee, YD., Yang, JK., Han, S. et al. Topical methylene blue nanoformulation for the photodynamic therapy of acne vulgaris. Arch Dermatol Res 315, 885–893 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02464-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02464-7

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