A scoping review of traditional medicinal plants used to treat acne vulgaris in Türkiye

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological disorders, especially in adolescents. This study aimed to review medicinal plants used in the treatment of acne vulgaris in Türkiye which have comprehensive usage information.

Methods

Ethnobotanical studies conducted in Türkiye from 1990 to 2023 were identified through PubMed, Sciencedirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and YOK National Thesis Center databases using standard keywords. Articles published in peer-reviewed journals, congress proceedings, and dissertations (gray literature) were included. The scientific, family, and local names; parts used; and the methods of preparation and application were extracted from 56 ethnobotanical studies. The most cited plant families, the most cited plant taxa, and the most frequently used plant parts were determined.

Results

In total, 84 taxa belonging to 67 genera and 44 families were identified as medicinal plants used to treat acne vulgaris. The families with the highest number of plants were Asteraceae (9 taxa), Rosaceae (9 taxa), Amaryllidaceae (8 taxa), Brassicaceae (3 taxa), Hypericaceae (3 taxa), Lamiaceae (3 taxa), Papaveraceae (3 taxa), and Plantaginaceae (3 taxa). The most frequently cited medicinal plants and their corresponding number of references were Urtica dioica L. (7), Juglans regia L. (7), Laurus nobilis L. (5), Plantago major L. (5), and Malva sylvestris L. (4). It was determined that the leaves were the most frequently used parts of the medicinal plants, accounting for 36 %. Infusion (29 %) was the most commonly used preparation method. Furthermore, bioactivity studies of the most cited plants were also reviewed to evaluate their efficacy in acne vulgaris.

Conclusions

This review has identified novel herbal products which may have potential for acne vulgaris treatment, although more preclinical and clinical studies are needed to confirm their activities.