Anti-Acne Activity of Orally Administered Mitragyna speciosa Extract in Wistar Rats Induced with Priopionibacterium acnes

Background: Acne vulgaris is a long-lasting inflammatory skin condition in which Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes) plays an important role. Mitragyna speciosa (M. speciosa), known as Kratom, a plant originating from West Kalimantan, contains mitragynine, a compound reported to exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. This study investigated whether orally administered M. speciosa extract could reduce inflammation caused by P. acnes in an animal model. Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: an untreated P. acnes group (Ac), a group receiving topical azelaic acid (Ac+Az), and a group treated with oral M. speciosa extract at 75 mg/kg body weight (Ac+K). Acne lesion scores were monitored every two days, and histopathological evaluations were performed on day seven. Results: Both treatments produced notable reductions in lesion scores when compared with the untreated group, with significant differences for Ac vs. Ac+Az (p=0.009) and Ac vs. Ac+K (p=0.004). No statistical difference was observed between the two treatment groups (p=0.93). Microscopic examination confirmed diminished inflammation and better-preserved tissue structures in animals that received either therapy. Conclusion: Oral M. speciosa extract demonstrated an ability to lessen P. acnes-induced lesions and tissue inflammation, showing a therapeutic effect comparable to that of topical azelaic acid.