A double-blinded, randomized, split-side, vehicle-controlled study of the efficacy of cleanser containing Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl., Suregada multiflora, and Acacia concinna in patients with atopic dermatitis: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Barrier repair therapy is the key management approach for both eczematous and non-lesional skin of atopic dermatitis. The use of appropriate cleansers to enhance skin hydration is an adjunctive treatment that increases topical drug penetration. Anti-inflammatory properties of various medicinal plants in tropical Asia have been reported. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the efficacy of herbal cleanser containing a combination of herbal extracts from Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl., Suregada multiflora, and Acacia concinna on seemingly intact skin in patients with atopic dermatitis by measuring improvements in the skin barrier function. METHODS: This 2-week pilot study was a split-side, randomized, double-blinded, vehicle-controlled trial. All patients (n = 30) were asked to use both a cleanser with an active formulation containing the herbal extracts and a vehicle- controlled cleanser on each side of mid-volar forearm. Biophysical assessments including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin pH, and skin roughness were performed at baseline and upon study completion. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, the median percentage change in TEWL at the end of the study was significantly greater for the active side 10.4 (-19, 20.7) g/m2h than the control side -13.2 (-28.7, 9.1) g/m2h; p = 0.01. The median percentage change of skin hydration, skin pH, and skin roughness of the active side compared to the control side had no a statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This cleanser is beneficial when used as adjunctive therapy. Further studies should evaluate its anti- sinflammatory properties in the remedy or active phase of atopic dermatitis or other inflammatory skin diseases.

A randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of adsorbent lotion containing tapioca starch, spent grain wax, Butyrospermum parkii extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, aloe barbadensis, rosehip oil, and allantoin with a low-potency topical corticosteroid in the treatment of intertrigo.

BACKGROUND: Intertrigo is an inflammatory skin-fold condition. Candida infections may occur concurrently or afterward. Topical corticosteroids may reduce inflammation but exacerbate Candida infections. The treatment is contentious. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacies and safety of adsorbent lotion containing tapioca starch, spent grain wax, Butyrospermum parkii extract, argania spinosa kernel oil, aloe barbadensis, rosehip oil, and allantoin for the treatment of mild-to-moderate intertrigo, relative to 1% hydrocortisone cream. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded study enrolled 40 intertrigo patients. Twice daily, 20 patients applied adsorbent lotion while the remainder used 1% hydrocortisone cream. Efficacy evaluation, skin biophysical measurements, skin tolerability, safety, and visual analog scale (VAS) patient-satisfaction scores were evaluated at baseline and Week 2. RESULTS: The adsorbent lotion showed higher complete cure rates for color, partial epidermal loss, papules/pustules/vesicles/patches, dryness, and scaling than the corticosteroid without statistical significance. Adsorbent lotion demonstrated significantly higher reduction in pruritus than the corticosteroid treatment. Reduction of erythema level using Mexameter and VAS patient-satisfaction scores were not statistically different between adsorbent lotion and hydrocortisone cream. No adverse effects or superimposed infections were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-inflammatory efficacies of adsorbent lotion and low-potency steroid were equivalent. The lotion was safe and produced excellent pruritus reduction. Patient satisfaction was high.

Randomized investigator-blinded comparative study of moisturizer containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol and licochalcone A versus 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in facial dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Facial dermatitis can result from various conditions, some of which are of a chronic and relapsing nature. The use of topical corticosteroid therapy may lead to additional adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of moisturizer containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, which acts as a sensitivity regulator, and licochalcone A, an anti-inflammatory agent from the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza inflata, with that of 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of facial dermatitis. METHODS: This was a randomized, prospective, investigator-blinded study. Eighty participants with mild to moderate facial dermatitis were randomly treated with either the test facial moisturizer or 0.02% TA twice daily for the first 2 weeks. For the subsequent 2 weeks, all patients used only the test moisturizer. Clinical assessment by investigators, bioengineering measurements, patients' subjective evaluation, and clinical photography were performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4. RESULTS: Both treatments showed a statistically significant improvement with regard to physician clinical assessment, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and patient-assessed visual analog scale after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment compared with baseline. The test facial moisturizer produced better skin hydration than TCS. The improvement in TEWL after 4 weeks of using the test moisturizer was comparable with 2-week treatment with 0.02% TA cream. However, subjective evaluation by patients indicated that TA more rapidly improved sensation sensitivity. CONCLUSION: The test facial moisturizer was slower than 0.02% TA in improving facial dermatitis, but showed greater benefit in erythema control and skin hydration.

Curcuma aeruginosa, a novel botanically derived 5α-reductase inhibitor in the treatment of male-pattern baldness: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Several botanically derived agents are available for the treatment of male-pattern baldness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 5% hexane extract of Curcuma aeruginosa, a botanically derived inhibitor of 5α-reductase and 5% minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: Eighty-seven men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) were randomized to receive 5% Curcuma aeruginosa, 5% minoxidil, combination formulation (5% hexane extract of Curcuma aeruginosa + 5% minoxidil) or placebo, twice daily for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed by target area hair count, global photographic review as well as patients' subjective assessments of hair regrowth and hair shedding. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in global photographic review (p < 0.001), subjects' overall assessments of hair regrowth (p = 0.008), and hair shedding (p = 0.004) when the combination formulation was compared with placebo. Similarly, treatment with 5% minoxidil and 5% C. aeruginosa extract also led to some degrees of hair regrowth. There were no serious adverse events during and after the study. CONCLUSION: In men with hair loss in the vertex area of the scalp, the combination of 5% hexane extract of C. aeruginosa and 5% minoxidil slowed hair loss and increased hair growth.

Treatment of striae distensae with a TriPollar radiofrequency device: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Striae distensae are a frequent skin condition for which treatment remains a challenge. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of a TriPollar radiofrequency (RF) device for the treatment of striae in skin phototypes IV-V. METHODS: Seventeen females with striae received six weekly treatments with a TriPollar RF device. The participants were evaluated using standardized photographs and a UVA-light video camera at baseline, and at 1 and 6 weeks after the final treatment. Side effects of treatment were recorded at every session. RESULTS: At 1 week after the final treatment, 38.2% and 11.8% of the subjects were assessed to have 25-50% and 51-75% improvement of their striae, respectively. Compared with the 1-week follow-up, at the 6-week follow-up a higher percentage of the subjects were rated to have improvement of their striae. There were no significant differences in the striae surface smoothness at the 1- (p = 0.907) and 6-week (p = 0.057) follow-ups, compared with that of baseline. Twelve percent (2/17), 23% (4/17), and 65% (11/17) of the study subjects rated their satisfaction of the overall improvement as slightly satisfied, satisfied, and very satisfied, respectively. No adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSION: TriPollar RF appears to be a promising alternative for the treatment of striae distensae.