Current Research Bulletin

In the context of increasing antibiotic resistance and associated adverse effects, treatments for dermatological conditions such as acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis remain limited. This narrative review synthesises studies published mainly between 2010 and the first quarter of 2026, retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Vietnam Journals Online, with the aim of evaluating the potential dermatological applications of compounds isolated from Elsholtzia ciliata. The review identifies a total of 352 compounds from this species, classified principally into flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and essential oil constituents. Experimental studies have identified several biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-allergic effects. However, direct evidence regarding the efficacy of E. ciliata against the skin-associated bacterium Cutibacterium acnes, as well as its clinical efficacy in dermatological diseases, remains limited. E. ciliata may represent a potential source of bioactive compounds for developing dermatological and cosmeceutical products; nevertheless, its therapeutic potential needs to be confirmed through appropriately designed pre-clinical and clinical studies.

anti-inflammatory activity, biological activity, cosmeceuticals, dermatological diseases, Elsholtzia ciliata

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