INTRODUCTION: The use of botanical extracts in dermatological treatments has received special attention in worldwide literature, especially for its antioxidant action. Different products containing Polypodium leucotomos and Pinus pinasters extracts are commercially available in industrialized presentations or compounding. However, in the second case, there is no standardization in the extraction process and there is a lack of data regarding the quantitative and qualitative content in the referred formulations that demonstrate its effectiveness and safety.
PURPOSES: to assess the different concentrations of actives in standardized and patented botanical extracts of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock^®) and Pinus pinaster (Pycnogenol^®), respectively, comparing them to products offered by compounding pharmacies.
METHODOLOGY: The products were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacologically active markers were identified in peaks by retention time.
RESULTS: the concentrations of identified actives varied in the different products analyzed, being undetectable in many of them. Only industrialized products with standardized and patented extracts showed all the expected markers.
CONCLUSION: consistency was observed in specific products containing the patented extracts of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock^®) and Pinus pinaster (Pycnogenol^®), demonstrating the importance of standardization in extraction processes and studies on the efficacy and safety profiles.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Plant extracts; Flavonoids

INTRODUCTION: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit of multifactorial origin, which causes a significant impact on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: Clinical trial assessing the superiority of efficacy of a treatment regimen with an oral probiotic associated with a fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% compared to an oral placebo with the same topical treatment in patients with acne.
METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted with 212 patients aged from 12 to 35 years. The study was divided into two phases of 90 days each. In the first phase, patients received treatment with adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% associated with a probiotic (IT), or adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% associated with placebo (CT). In the second phase (90 days), patients received only oral treatment with a probiotic or placebo. Efficacy criteria were: reduced Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scale to 0 or 1 and reduced lesion count.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the proportion of participants with IGA 0 or 1 - the arm receiving the test treatment was superior to the control (p<0.05). Both treatments were safe and well tolerated.
CONCLUSION: In light of the evidence on efficacy and safety, treatment with probiotics should be considered as an adjuvant therapy for acne control.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Probiotics; Gastrointestinal microbiome