Prospective Comparative Study of an Oral Synbiotic and a Myoinositol-Based Herbal Supplement in Modifying Hormone Levels and the Gut Microbiome in Non-cystic Acne
Clinical Summary
View sourceWhat was studied
An 8‑week randomized study of 36 males and females aged 12–45 with non‑cystic acne compared an oral synbiotic containing herbs versus a myoinositol‑based herbal supplement, measuring acne lesion counts, gut microbiome and short‑chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and hormones at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks.
Key findings
Both groups had significant reductions in acne lesion counts at week 4 (p<0.0001) and week 8 (synbiotic p<0.0001; myoinositol‑based herbal supplement p<0.0001), along with increases in stool and plasma SCFAs. After 8 weeks of the myoinositol‑based herbal supplement, 17‑OHP fell from 27.3 to 11.3 pg/ml (p=0.001) and androstenedione from 94.9 to 68.0 pg/ml (p=0.04); several gut bacteria increased ≥3‑fold in each group.
Study limitations
Small sample (n=36) and short follow‑up (8 weeks). Absolute changes in lesion counts were not reported, and blinding/control details were not described in the provided text.
Clinical implications
Over 8 weeks, both an oral synbiotic and a myoinositol‑based herbal supplement were associated with fewer acne lesions and higher SCFAs; the myoinositol‑based product also lowered 17‑OHP and androstenedione. These findings suggest potential biologic effects in non‑cystic acne but come from a small, short trial.
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