Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Argan oil is a well-known cosmeceutical that is commercially available. It is
traditionally used for the treatment of acne and skin inflammation among others. The objective
of this study was to assess the anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities of argan oil and
a crude saponin extract from the argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) that is endemic to
Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-proliferative activity of argan oil and the crude
saponin extract was assessed by the 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay on A431; HaCat; HeLa; MCF-7 and UCT-Mel 1 cells. The
antibacterial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method against two species of
bacteria: Cutibacterium acnes and Prevotella intermedia. RESULTS: The results of this study
indicated that the argan oil sample did not inhibit the cell growth of the specified cell lines up
to 1000µg/ml, while the crude saponin extract had low anti-proliferative activity. The minimal
inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for both the argan oil and the crude saponin extract
were found to be 500µg/ml against Cutibacterium acnes. No antibacterial activity from the
argan oil or the crude saponin extract was evident against Prevotella intermedia up to a
concentration of 12.5mg/ml. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that argan oil and
the crude saponin extract might have direct inhibitory effects on the growth and proliferation of
Cutibacterium acnes. This finding supports the use argan oil as a treatment for acne vulgaris.
