Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 9 Number 1 2026
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Marine Actinobacteria as Emerging Anti-Infective Resources for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review–Driven Perspective on Microbial Dysbiosis, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Novel Therapeutic Opportunities
Amena Khatun Manica 1*, Shahadat Hossain 2
Microbial Bioactives 9 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.9110619
Submitted: 17 December 2025 Revised: 12 February 2026 Accepted: 20 February 2026 Published: 22 February 2026
Abstract
Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that affects a large proportion of adolescents and adults worldwide, imposing substantial physical, psychological, and social burdens. The disease is closely associated with alterations in the skin microbiome, particularly involving Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conventional acne therapies rely heavily on topical and systemic antibiotics, retinoids, and hormonal agents; however, their long-term use is limited by adverse effects and the accelerating emergence of antimicrobial resistance. These challenges highlight an urgent need for alternative, resistance-conscious therapeutic strategies. This study synthesizes evidence from a systematic review and meta-analytic perspective to evaluate marine actinobacteria as a promising source of novel anti-infective compounds relevant to AV management. Marine actinobacteria, shaped by extreme and diverse oceanic environments, possess exceptional biosynthetic potential and produce structurally unique secondary metabolites with antibacterial, antibiofilm, and quorum-sensing inhibitory activities. The reviewed evidence demonstrates substantial activity of marine actinobacteria-derived compounds against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, including multidrug-resistant strains, through both growth inhibition and virulence attenuation mechanisms. Notably, the analysis reveals a critical research gap: despite extensive activity against staphylococcal species, there is a striking lack of reported marine actinobacterial metabolites specifically targeting C. acnes. This finding is particularly significant given the historical success of actinobacteria-derived antibiotics in acne therapy. Overall, the review underscores the untapped potential of marine actinobacteria as a foundation for developing next-generation acne treatments that prioritize microbial balance, reduced resistance pressure, and innovative mechanisms of action.
Keywords: Acne vulgaris; marine actinobacteria; Cutibacterium acnes; antimicrobial resistance; antibiofilm activity; quorum sensing inhibition; skin microbiome
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