Investigating Material Basis and Molecular Mechanism of Qing Cuo Formula in the Treatment of Acne Using Animal Experiments, UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, and Network Pharmacology

The study explores the Qing Cuo Formula (QCF), a traditional Chinese medicine, for acne treatment using 60 male golden hamsters. It finds that low-dose QCF significantly reduces serum androgen and inflammatory cytokine levels compared to a control group. In vitro analysis identifies 75 compounds in QCF, with 27 active compounds absorbed in serum. Network pharmacology reveals 6 active components targeting 17 proteins, indicating that QCF's anti-acne effects are linked to regulating extracellular matrix function, inflammatory processes, immune response, and endocrine function. These results provide a molecular basis for QCF's efficacy in treating androgen-related damp-heat acne and suggest its potential for other damp-heat related conditions.