Astha Bhandari,
Kamlesh Mistry,
Tanya Sharma,
- Research Scholar, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh 312901, Rajasthan, India
- Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh 312901, Rajasthan, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh 312901, Rajasthan, India
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory dermatoses in clinical dermatology, afflicting a substantial proportion of the global adolescent and adult population. Conventional pharmacotherapies — including topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and systemic antibiotics — remain the therapeutic mainstay; however, their long-term utility is progressively undermined by adverse cutaneous reactions, systemic toxicity, and the rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Cutibacterium acnes strains. These limitations have intensified scientific interest in plant-derived bioactives as alternative or adjunctive agents. Bauhinia purpurea L. (Leguminosae–Caesalpinioideae), a medicinally revered tree indigenous to tropical Asia, harbours a diverse array of secondary metabolites, among which quercetin — a pentahydroxylated flavonol — has emerged as a particularly promising multi-target candidate. This review consolidates current knowledge on: (i) the botanical identity and phytochemical profile of B. purpurea, with emphasis on quercetin content and extraction methodology; (ii) the structural and physicochemical attributes underpinning quercetin’s bioactivity; (iii) the mechanistic basis of its anti-acne and anti-inflammatory properties, encompassing NF-κB pathway modulation, MAPK signalling suppression, sebostatic activity, inhibition of C. acnes, and oxidative-stress regulation; and (iv) contemporary advances in quercetin-loaded nanogel formulations designed to overcome quercetin’s intrinsic biopharmaceutical limitations. Emerging nanocarrier strategies — including carbopol-based nanogels, polymeric nanoparticle-incorporated gels, solid lipid nanoparticle gels, and nanostructured lipid carrier gels — are critically appraised. Research gaps, regulatory considerations, and a future roadmap for clinical translation are also delineated.
Keywords: Bauhinia purpurea; quercetin; acne vulgaris; Cutibacterium acnes; NF-κB; MAPK; nanogel; nanocarrier; topical delivery; anti-inflammatory
Astha Bhandari, Kamlesh Mistry, Tanya Sharma. Comprehensive Evaluation of Quercetin from Bauhinia purpurea for Its Anti-Acne and Anti-Inflammatory Potential, Including Advances in Quercetin-Loaded Nanogel Formulation. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Formulation, Development and Production. 2026; 13(02):-.
Astha Bhandari, Kamlesh Mistry, Tanya Sharma. Comprehensive Evaluation of Quercetin from Bauhinia purpurea for Its Anti-Acne and Anti-Inflammatory Potential, Including Advances in Quercetin-Loaded Nanogel Formulation. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Formulation, Development and Production. 2026; 13(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjodfdp/article=2026/view=242659
References
1. Williams, H. C., Dellavalle, R. P., & Garner, S. (2012). Acne vulgaris. The Lancet, 379(9813), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60321-8
2. Halvorsen, J. A., et al. (2011). Suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: A population-based study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 131(2), 363–370. https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2010.264
3. Zouboulis, C. C., Jourdan, E., & Picardo, M. (2014). Acne is an inflammatory disease and alterations of sebum composition initiate acne lesions. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 28(5), 527–532. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.12298
4. Kosmadaki, M., & Katsambas, A. (2017). Topical treatments for acne. Clinics in Dermatology, 35(2), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.10.010
5. Verma, R., et al. (2024). Genus Bauhinia (Fabaceae): A review from phytochemistry to pharmacology. Phytomedicine, 136, Article 156253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156253
6. Rajkumari, S., & Sanatombi, K. (2017). Nutritional value, phytochemical composition and biological activities of edible Bauhinia species: A review. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 27(5), 618–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2017.05.004
7. Alizadeh, S. R., & Ebrahimzadeh, M. A. (2022). Quercetin derivatives: Drug design, development, and biological activities — A review. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 229, 114068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114068
8. Kim, H. J., Park, J. G., & Cho, Y. W. (2021). Inhibitory effect of quercetin on Propionibacterium acnes-induced skin inflammation. Molecules, 26(7), 1946. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071946
9. Hatahet, T., et al. (2016). Quercetin topical application, from conventional dosage forms to nanodosage forms. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 108, 41–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.08.011
10. Yıldırım, A., et al. (2021). Quercetin improves inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired wound healing in atopic dermatitis model of human keratinocytes. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 34(4), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.1159/000513448
11. Khare, C. P. (2007). Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70638-2
12. Chakraborty, S., Bala, N. N., & Das, S. (2023). Isolation and characterization of a flavonoid and analgesic activity of leaves of Bauhinia acuminata Linn.. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 16(5), 2177–2181. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2023.00357
13. Devi, K. P., et al. (2015). Kaempferol and inflammation: From chemistry to medicine. Pharmacological Research, 99, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2015.05.002
14. Makhija, I. K., & Khamar, D. (2010). Anti-snake venom properties of Bauhinia purpurea (family: Caesalpiniaceae). American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 6(1), 7–10. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2010.7.10
15. Sharma, V., & Janmeda, P. (2017). Extraction, isolation and identification of flavonoid from Euphorbia neriifolia leaves. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 10(4), 509–514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2014.08.019
16. dos Santos, J. A. A., et al. (2014). Quercetin and quercetin 3-O-glycosides from Bauhinia longifolia show anti-Mayaro virus activity. PLOS ONE, 9(3), e91018. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091018
17. Phutthacharoen, K., et al. (2019). Pharmacognostic specifications, quercetin and quercitrin quantification in Bauhinia malabarica leaf. Pharmacognosy Journal, 11(1), 155–160. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2019.11.24
18. Thetsana, P., et al. (2019). Pharmacognostic specifications, quercetin and quercitrin quantification in Bauhinia malabarica leaf. Pharmacognosy Journal, 11(1), 155–160. https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2019.11.24
19. Zhao, D., et al. (2024). Research progress on the role of macrophages in acne and regulation by natural plant products. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, 1383263. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383263
20. Boots, A. W., Haenen, G. R., & Bast, A. (2008). Health effects of quercetin: From antioxidant to nutraceutical. European Journal of Pharmacology, 585(2–3), 325–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.03.008
21. Bagde, A., Nair, R., Bhide, M., & Singh, M. (2019). New insights into quercetin nanoformulations for topical delivery. Phytochemistry Reviews, 18, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-019-09610-x
22. Chen, X., Zhang, L., Chen, H., & Wang, Y. (2025). Tanshinone IIA and quercetin loaded nanoemulsion-thermogel composite system for enhanced acne management. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 108, 106854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106854
23. Kitagawa, S., et al. (2009). Enhanced skin delivery of quercetin by microemulsion. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 61(7), 855–860. https://doi.org/10.1211/jpp/61.07.0003
24. Schiborr, C., et al. (2014). Oral bioavailability of curcumin from micronized and nonmicronized formulations in healthy adults. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 58(3), 516–527. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201300297
25. Goyal, A., et al. (2011). Potential of novel drug delivery systems for herbal drugs. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 45(3), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijper.45.3.2
26. Amer, S. S., et al. (2022). Quercetin loaded cosm-nutraceutical electrospun composite nanofibers for acne alleviation. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 612, 121309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121309
27. Panchal, G., et al. (2022). Quercetin topical application, from conventional dosage forms to nanodosage forms: A review. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 15(11), 5349–5358. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2022.00897
28. Dymek, M., Sikora, E., & Ogonowski, J. (2023). Formulation and evaluation of hydrogels based on sodium alginate and cellulose derivatives with quercetin for topical application. Applied Sciences, 13(13), 7826. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137826
29. Zhang, Y., et al. (2025). Multi-target mechanisms and potential applications of quercetin in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1523905. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1523905
30. Pathak, P., & Nagarsenker, M. (2025). Formulation and evaluation of quercetin loaded silver nanoparticles in hydrogel for effective treatment of acne. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4(2), 1123–1133. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14908432
31. Zaborowski, A., et al. (2024). Plant phenolics in the prevention and therapy of acne: A comprehensive review. Molecules, 29(17), 4234. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29174234
32. Melnik, B. C. (2023). Acne transcriptomics: Fundamentals of acne pathogenesis and isotretinoin treatment. Cells, 12(22), 2600. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12222600
33. Mosmann, T. (1983). Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: Application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. Journal of Immunological Methods, 65(1–2), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1759(83)90303-4
34. Nirmala, J. P., & Nagarajan, R. (2012). Anti-inflammatory activity of Bauhinia purpurea leaves in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 13(2), 57–60. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4736.5280
| Volume | 13 |
| 02 | |
| Received | 30/03/2026 |
| Accepted | 07/04/2026 |
| Published | 23/04/2026 |
| Publication Time | 24 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics
