Passion fruit purple variant (Passiflora edulis Sims var. edulis) seeds extract 10% cream in acne vulgaris treatment: an open-label pilot study

Background: Purple variant of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims var. edulis) is a tropical plant commonly used in the beverage industry. The seeds have high content of linoleic acid and piceatannol which has been reported and showed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, there is no report regarding its effect on acne vulgaris.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of topical use of Passiflora edulis Sims var. edulis seeds extract on acne vulgaris.

Methods: In this open-label uncontrolled trial, 45 subjects with acne vulgaris were given passion fruit purple variant seeds extract 10% cream for 8 weeks. Noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesions count along with ultraviolet-induced red fluorescence (UVRF) measurement were done at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. All reported adverse events were documented, and patient satisfaction rates were determined at week 8. Paired T-test and Wilcoxon test were done with P ≤ 0.05 indicating significance.

Results: There were significant reductions in noninflammatory (80.9%), inflammatory (71.1%), and total (73%) lesion count after 8 weeks of the cream application (P < 0.001). Significant reduction in UVRF spot quantity (36%) and percentage area (45.9%) were found at week 8 (P < 0.001). Only 2.2% of subjects experienced an adverse event of mild and transient peeling. Most of the subjects (77.8%) noticed significant improvement in their acne vulgaris and expressed good satisfaction rate.

Conclusion: Topical use of passion fruit purple variant seeds extract improves acne vulgaris with reduction in lesion counts and UVRF, minimal adverse events, and good satisfaction rate. Additional prospective studies are required.