Efficacy of nano-modified Runji ointment in the treatment of mild and moderate psoriasis with blood dryness syndrome: a study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a common, recurrent, immune skin disease, which seriously affects patients' quality of life. In clinical practice, modified Runji ointment can effectively treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis with blood dryness syndrome, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence-based medical evidence. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nano-modified Runji ointment in the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis with blood dryness syndrome. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. A total of 80 patients will be recruited and randomly divided into an intervention group (nano-modified Runji ointment group) and a placebo group at a ratio of 1:1. All included patients will receive 8 weeks of nano-modified Runji ointment or placebo ointment respectively, twice a day. The primary outcome will be the change in psoriasis area and disease severity index score at week 8 compared to baseline. The secondary outcomes will be rash area score, pruritus score, Dermatology Life Quality Index score, traditional Chinese medicine symptom score and adverse events. DISCUSSION: This study may provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy of nano-modified Runji ointment in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis with blood dryness syndrome. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000034292. Registered July 1, 2020, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=55884&htm=4.

Clinical Efficacy of Tacrolimus Ointment + 3% Boric Acid Lotion Joint Chinese Angelica Decoction in Chronic Perianal Eczema.

OBJECTIVE: To unearth the clinical efficacy of tacrolimus ointment + 3% boric acid lotion joint Chinese angelica decoction in chronic perianal eczema. METHODS: Patients with chronic perianal eczema admitted to hospital from June 2018 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in the control group (n = 38) underwent basic therapy with tacrolimus ointment + 3% boric acid lotion, whereas those in the observation group (n = 38) were given oral Chinese angelica decoction on the basis of the above therapy. Patient's baseline information before therapy and clinical symptoms after therapy were observed and compared, including pruritus ani score, anus drainage and damp score, skin lesion score, skin lesion area score, life quality index score, and IL-2, IL-4, and IgE levels in serum. Overall efficacy in the two groups was also evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the baseline information between the observation group and control group before therapy. After therapy, pruritus ani score (P = 0.023), anus drainage and damp score (P = 0.041), skin lesion score (P = 0.025), and skin lesion area score (P = 0.035) of patients in the observation group were remarkably lower than those in the control group. Significantly higher release levels of clinical symptoms of patients in the observation group were indicated. With respect to the control group, the life quality score (P = 0.020) and IgE level in serum (P = 0.003) of patients in the observation group were significantly lower, while IL-4 level in serum was significantly higher (P = 0.129). The therapy in the observation group achieved better clinical efficacy. Overall efficacy in the observation group was markedly favorable with respect to the control group. CONCLUSION: With respect to tacrolimus ointment + 3% boric acid lotion, patients with chronic perianal eczema displayed better clinical efficacy after jointly being treated by Chinese angelica decoction.

Application of chen yuangao in the treatment of soft tissue injury of football players / Aplicação de chen yuangao no tratamento da lesão dos tecidos moles de jogadores de futebol / Aplicación de chen yuangao para tratar lesiones de tejidos blandos en jugadores de fútbol

ABSTRACT The treatment of soft tissue injury in football players generally includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug treatment, surgical treatment and early rest immobilization. Western medicine treatment of soft tissue injury can quickly heal the wound and relieve pain in a short time. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine is based on the whole and must seek the root of the disease. It is believed that the occurrence of certain diseases is related to Qi, blood, liver and kidney deficiency, so we should pay attention to the overall adjustment during treatment of symptoms. In view of this, this study analyzed the effect of Chen Yuan ointment, from traditional Chinese medicine, in the treatment of soft tissue injury. Sixty-eight football players who completed ankle ligament reconstruction were divided into four groups according to the type of operation and whether Chen Yuangao-assisted rehabilitation was used or not. The results showed that the Ankle Hindfoot Function Score and the visual analog scale (VAS) score of patients in the fibula brevis tendon reconstruction Chen Yuan ointment group were 98.3 and 0.3, respectively, at the last follow-up, which were better than those in other groups, and had lower pain scores. This result shows that Chen Yuangao has a certain effect in the treatment of soft tissue injury, which can provide a research idea for the rapid rehabilitation of football players.

RESUMO O tratamento de lesões dos tecidos moles em jogadores de futebol inclui geralmente terapia física, tratamento anti-inflamatório e analgésico, tratamento cirúrgico e imobilização de repouso precoce. O tratamento de lesões nos tecidos moles, utilizando a medicina ocidental, pode curar rapidamente as lesões e aliviar a dor em pouco tempo. A medicina tradicional chinesa se baseia no todo e deve procurar a raiz da doença. Acredita-se que a ocorrência de certas doenças está relacionada à deficiência de Qi, sangue, fígado e rim do corpo humano, por isso devemos prestar atenção ao ajuste global no tratamento dos sintomas. A partir desta perspectiva, este estudo analisou o efeito da tradicional pomada chinesa Chen Yuan no tratamento de lesões dos tecidos moles. No total, 68 jogadores de futebol que fizeram reconstrução dos ligamentos do tornozelo foram divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com o tipo de operação e se a pomada Chen Yuangao ajudou ou não na reabilitação. Os resultados mostraram que o escore da função do tornozelo retropé (Ankle Hindfoot Function Score) e o escore da Escala Analógica Visual (EVA) dos pacientes do grupo pomada Chenyuan para reconstrução do tendão fibular curto foram 98,3 e 0,3, respectivamente, no último seguimento, sendo melhores do que os de outros grupos e apresentando menores níveis de dor. Estes resultados mostra que a pomada Chen Yuangao exerce certo efeito no tratamento de lesões dos tecidos moles, pode constituir uma ideia de pesquisa para a rápida reabilitação dos jogadores de futebol.

RESUMEN El tratamiento de lesiones de los tejidos blandos en jugadores de fútbol incluye generalmente terapia física, tratamiento antinflamatorio y analgésico, tratamiento quirúrgico e inmovilización de reposo precoz. El tratamiento de lesiones en los tejidos blandos, utilizando la medicina occidental, puede curar rápidamente las lesiones y aliviar el dolor en poco tiempo. La medicina tradicional china se basa en el todo y debe procurar la raíz de la enfermedad. Se cree que la ocurrencia de ciertas enfermedades está relacionada a la deficiencia de Qi, sangre, hígado y riñón del cuerpo humano, por eso debemos prestar atención al ajuste global en el tratamiento de los síntomas. A partir de esta perspectiva, este estudio analizó el efecto de la tradicional pomada china Chen Yuan en el tratamiento de lesiones de los tejidos blandos. En total, 68 jugadores de fútbol que hicieron reconstrucción de los ligamentos del tobillo fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de acuerdo con el tipo de operación y si la pomada Chen Yuangao ayudó o no en la rehabilitación. Los resultados mostraron que el escore de la función del retropié del tobillo (Ankle Hindfoot Function Score) y el escore de la Escala Analógica Visual (EVA) de los pacientes del grupo pomada Chenyuan para reconstrucción del tendón fibular corto fueron 98,3 y 0,3, respectivamente, en el último segmento, siendo mejores que los de otros grupos y presentando menores niveles de dolor. Estos resultados muestran que la pomada Chen Yuangao ejerce cierto efecto en el tratamiento de lesiones de los tejidos blandos, puede constituir una idea de investigación para la rápida rehabilitación de los jugadores de fútbol.

Efficacy and safety of Hemoheal cream in patients with hemorrhoids: a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hemoheal cream, an anti-hemorrhoid herbal preparation, (inspired by Persian medicine literatures in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Hemoheal cream consists of aqueous extract of Allium ampeloprasum L., Commiphora mukul (Hook. Ex Stocks) Engl and the oil of Sesamum indicum L. Fifty-two patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids were randomized to receive hemoheal cream or placebo for 3 weeks. The patients were evaluated before and after the intervention in terms of the severity of anal irritation, bleeding, anal itching, pain, defecation discomfort and swelling sense, and overall subjective improvement (%), as well as any reported adverse events. RESULTS: The results showed that after 3 weeks of treatment, distribution of anal irritation, bleeding, pain as well as swelling sense were significantly different (P < 0.05), while the analysis showed no significant differences between two groups for anal itching and defecation discomfort (P > 0.05). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the overall subjective improvement of Hemoheal cream and placebo groups (P = 0.012). One patient in the treatment group complained of rashes on the application site. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a positive effect of Hemoheal cream in improving clinical signs and symptoms in patients with hemorrhoids.

Carboxytherapy Mask as Post Nanofractional Radiofrequency Treatment for Improvement of Facial Skin Quality and Photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Skin rejuvenation can be achieved with minimally invasive treatments using energy-based devices that feature reduced side effects and downtime. Post-treatment care is key to minimize any potential side effects and skin reactions such as erythema, dryness, or dyschromia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and patient satisfaction of a novel carboxytherapy gel mask compared with petroleum-based lanolin-containing ointment to accelerate wound healing facial post-nanofractional radiofrequency treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten subjects were enrolled in this pilot, prospective, randomized, single-blind study and randomized into two arms. One arm received one nanofractional radiofrequency treatment with ointment right after and four consecutive days of ointment applications twice a day, while the second arm followed this regimen with a carboxytherapy gel mask application right after and four consecutive days after treatment. Investigator, safety, and patient assessments were conducted at 24 hours and one-week post treatment. Safety was monitored throughout. The primary endpoint was defined as the degree of investigator global assessment (IGA) in photodamage, pigmentation, and wrinkles using standardized photographs. Secondary endpoints included investigator-rated degree of erythema, edema, crusting, exudation, percentage healing, improvement of skin quality, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Nine patients completed the study. There was improvement of one degree in IGA for photodamage, pigmentation and wrinkles in all patients using the carboxytherapy gel mask at the one-week follow up. Blinded investigator ratings showed significant improvement of dryness, erythema, edema, crusting, and percentage healing at the 24-hour follow up, with all patients remaining the same a week post treatment. All patients in the carboxytherapy group were satisfied with the treatment and had no adverse effects. Three patients in the petroleum-based lanolin-containing group experienced mild edema and acne breakout that resolved two weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: Carboxytherapy delivered via a gel mask after skin rejuvenation procedures is a safe and effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes and reduce post-treatment side effects. J Drugs Dermatol. 20(4):461-465. doi:10.36849/JDD.5856.

Efficacy and safety of Soshiho-tang in atopic dermatitis patients with gastrointestinal disorders: A double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Because of the growing incidence of AD, psychosocial and economic burden of AD patients are often considerable. Steroid treatments are widely used, but long term use of this treatment can cause side effects. To reduce the burden of AD patients and find new efficient treatment, this study chose Soshiho-tang, a traditional medicine used in eastern Asia. AIM OF THE STUDY: Soshiho-tang (SSHT) is a traditional herbal medicine that has anti-inflammatory effects and improves immune function. This clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of SSHT in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients with gastrointestinal disorders in comparison with placebo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and investigator-initiated clinical trial. A total of 60 patients aged 3-18 years with gastrointestinal disorders and diagnosed with AD by Hanifin & Rajka criteria with a Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index between 15 and 49 were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to the SSHT or placebo groups in a ratio of 1:1 and efficacy evaluation was conducted at week 4 and 8. The participants orally administered SSHT or placebo three times a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was measured based on a change of SCORAD index. The secondary outcome measurements included the following: survey questionnaires of gastrointestinal disorder, amount and frequency of ointment application for AD, dermatology quality of life index, and safety evaluation (diagnostic test, adverse reaction, and vital sign monitoring). RESULTS: During efficacy evaluation, the SCORAD score and digestive symptoms in the experimental and placebo groups were not statistically significant. However, the amount and frequency of ointment application in the experimental group were reduced compared to those in the placebo group at week 8. Also, In the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), statistically significant Quality of Life (QOL) improvement was observed in the SSHT experimental group compared to the placebo group. In safety evaluation, all participants were within the normal range during the study period. Blood sample testing indicated that the lymphocytes ratio decreased, and neutrophils ratio increased in the experimental group, whereas the placebo group showed the opposite immune response pattern. CONCLUSION: We concluded that SSHT administration can reduce steroid ointment dependence and improve the QOL in AD patients by regulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

Sinecatechins ointment as a potential novel treatment for usual type vulval intraepithelial neoplasia: a single-centre double-blind randomised control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of 10% sinecatechins (Veregen® ) ointment against placebo in the treatment of usual type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN). DESIGN: A Phase II double-blind randomised control trial. SETTING: A tertiary gynaecological oncology referral centre. POPULATION: All women diagnosed with primary and recurrent uVIN. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either sinecatechins or placebo ointment (applied three times daily for 16 weeks) and were followed up at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 52 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure, recorded at 16 and 32 weeks, was histological response (HR). Secondary outcome measures included clinical (CR) response, toxicity, quality of life and pain scores. RESULTS: There was no observed difference in HR between the two arms. However, of the 26 patients who were randomised, all 13 patients who received sinecatechins showed either complete (n = 5) or partial (n = 8) CR, when best CR was evaluated. In placebo group, three patients had complete CR, two had partial CR, six had stable disease and two were lost to follow up. Patients in the sinecatechins group showed a statistically significant improvement in best observed CR as compared with the placebo group (P = 0.002). There was no difference in toxicity reported in either group. CONCLUSION: Although we did not observe a difference in HR between the two treatment arms, we found that 10% sinecatechins application is safe and shows promise in inducing clinical resolution of uVIN lesions and symptom improvement, thus warranting further investigation in a larger multicentre study. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: A randomised control study indicating that sinecatechins ointment may be a novel treatment for uVIN.

Effectiveness of flesh-moistening paste in psoriasis vulgaris patients with symptom pattern of blood stasis: a randomized and parallel-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flesh-moistening paste for treating psoriasis vulgaris in patients with blood stasis pattern in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). METHODS: Eudipleural rashes on both the left and right side of the same patients with psoriasis vulgaris, diagnosed via TCM as blood stasis pattern, were selected as the targeted skin lesions. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter controlled trial was conducted. The targeted skin lesions were categorized into either the treatment or control group. The treatment group used the flesh-moistening paste; the control group used a placebo. Both the paste and the placebo were topically applied twice daily for eight weeks. The patients were examined biweekly to evaluate the effects. The two groups were compared in terms of the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of the targeted skin lesions, which is scored according to erythema, desquamation, infiltration, area, pruritus, and improvement of skin barrier function. Adverse events were recorded during the study period. SPSS 21.0 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled between February 2016 and October 2017. Two were complicated by cardio-cerebrovascular disease and were excluded; thus, 54 outpatients were finally enrolled in the study. Four dropped out during the study period: three failed to complete their follow-up visits for unknown reasons, and one exited due to an adverse event. The final trial comprised 50 of the 56 originally selected patients, with a 92.6% completion rate. After 8 weeks of treatment, the targeted skin lesion scores differed significantly (P < 0.05). The PASI scores of the targeted skin lesions differed significantly beginning at week 6 (P < 0.05). The treatment group presented better results than those of the control group. Only one patient had an adverse reaction associated with the treatment. Improvements in skin barrier function differed significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The flesh-moistening paste demonstrated a reliable curative effect and safety for treating psoriasis vulgaris in patients with blood stasis patterns. The topical paste improved the barrier function of the skin lesions.

Effects and Characterization of Some Topical Ointments Based on Vegetal Extracts on Incision, Excision, and Thermal Wound Models.

The present paper aims to formulate and characterize four phytotherapeutic ointments based on Hippophae fructus, Calendulae flos, Bardanae folium, and Millefolii herba, which are included in a novel ointment base. In order to investigate the healing properties of the ointments, in vivo experimental wound models of linear incision, circular excision, and thermal burn were performed on Wistar rats. Topical treatment was performed daily for 21 days. Determination of the wound contraction rate (WCR), the period of reepithelization, and histopathological examination were achieved. Additionally, for the tested ointments, oscillatory and rotational rheological tests were carried out, and for the extracts, HPLC analysis was performed. The results demonstrate that the tested novel ointments are safe for use and the most effective ointment proved to be the one based on Arctium lappa, followed by that of Calendulae flos.

Interventions for preventing mastitis after childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding, initiation and duration rates continue to fall short of international guidelines. Many factors influence a woman's decision to wean; the main reason cited for weaning is associated with lactation complications, such as mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast, with or without infection. It can be viewed as a continuum of disease, from non-infective inflammation of the breast to infection that may lead to abscess formation. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of preventive strategies (for example, breastfeeding education, pharmacological treatments and alternative therapies) on the occurrence or recurrence of non-infective or infective mastitis in breastfeeding women post-childbirth. SEARCH METHODS: We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (3 October 2019), and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials of interventions for preventing mastitis in postpartum breastfeeding women. Quasi-randomised controlled trials and trials reported only in abstract form were eligible. We attempted to contact the authors to obtain any unpublished results, wherever possible.  Interventions for preventing mastitis may include: probiotics, specialist breastfeeding advice and holistic approaches.   DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: We included 10 trials (3034 women). Nine trials (2395 women) contributed data. Generally, the trials were at low risk of bias in most domains but some were high risk for blinding, attrition bias, and selective reporting. Selection bias (allocation concealment) was generally unclear. The certainty of evidence was downgraded due to risk of bias and to imprecision (low numbers of women participating in the trials). Conflicts of interest on the part of trial authors, and the involvement of industry funders may also have had an impact on the certainty of the evidence. Most trials reported our primary outcome of incidence of mastitis but there were almost no data relating to adverse effects, breast pain, duration of breastfeeding, nipple damage, breast abscess or recurrence of mastitis. Probiotics versus placebo Probiotics may reduce the risk of mastitis more than placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.75; 2 trials; 399 women; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain if probiotics reduce the risk of breast pain or nipple damage because the certainty of evidence is very low. Results for the biggest of these trials (639 women) are currently unavailable due to a contractual agreement between the probiotics supplier and the trialists. Adverse effects were reported in one trial, where no woman in either group experienced any adverse effects. Antibiotics versus placebo or usual care The risk of mastitis may be similar between antibiotics and usual care or placebo (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.34; 3 trials; 429 women; low-certainty evidence). The risk of mastitis may be similar between antibiotics and fusidic acid ointment (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.81; 1 trial; 36 women; low-certainty evidence) or mupirocin ointment (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.05 to 3.89; 1 trial; 44 women; low-certainty evidence) but we are uncertain due to the wide CIs. None of the trials reported adverse effects. Topical treatments versus breastfeeding advice The risk of mastitis may be similar between fusidic acid ointment and breastfeeding advice (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.22; 1 trial; 40 women; low-certainty evidence) and mupirocin ointment and breastfeeding advice (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.35; 1 trial; 48 women; low-certainty evidence) but we are uncertain due to the wide CIs. One trial (42 women) compared topical treatments to each other. The risk of mastitis may be similar between fusidic acid and mupirocin (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.13 to 2.00; low-certainty evidence) but we are uncertain due to the wide CIs. Adverse events were not reported. Specialist breastfeeding education versus usual care The risk of mastitis (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.17 to 4.95; 1 trial; 203 women; low-certainty evidence) and breast pain (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.37; 1 trial; 203 women; low-certainty evidence) may be similar but we are uncertain due to the wide CIs. Adverse events were not reported. Anti-secretory factor-inducing cereal versus standard cereal The risk of mastitis (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.72; 1 trial; 29 women; low-certainty evidence) and recurrence of mastitis (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.03 to 4.57; 1 trial; 7 women; low-certainty evidence) may be similar but we are uncertain due to the wide CIs. Adverse events were not reported. Acupoint massage versus routine care Acupoint massage probably reduces the risk of mastitis compared to routine care (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.78;1 trial; 400 women; moderate-certainty evidence) and breast pain (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.23; 1 trial; 400 women; moderate-certainty evidence). Adverse events were not reported. Breast massage and low frequency pulse treatment versus routine care Breast massage and low frequency pulse treatment may reduce risk of mastitis (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.21; 1 trial; 300 women; low-certainty evidence). Adverse events were not reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence that acupoint massage is probably better than routine care, probiotics may be better than placebo, and breast massage and low frequency pulse treatment may be better than routine care for preventing mastitis. However, it is important to note that we are aware of at least one large trial investigating probiotics whose results have not been made public, therefore, the evidence presented here is incomplete. The available evidence regarding other interventions, including breastfeeding education, pharmacological treatments and alternative therapies, suggests these may be little better than routine care for preventing mastitis but our conclusions are uncertain due to the low certainty of the evidence. Future trials should recruit sufficiently large numbers of women in order to detect clinically important differences between interventions and results of future trials should be made publicly available.

Effect of Topical Garlic on Wound Healing and Scarring: A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Historically, garlic containing compounds have been used on wounds to improve healing and ward off infection. Researchers have tested many of these ancient ointments, discovering that garlic is a common ingredient in those that are effective. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of topical garlic on surgical wounds compared with Vaseline by analysis of visual analog scales and digital photograph analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with 2 skin excisions applied a 30% garlic ointment to one surgical wound and Vaseline to the other surgical wound twice daily. They were followed up at 2 weeks and 4 weeks post-op. Digital photographs were taken of the sites, and wound visual analog scales were filled out by the patient and the physician. RESULTS: Patients and the onsite physician stated the garlic site healed better in 59% and 65% of the wounds, respectively, at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, the patients and the onsite physician stated the garlic site healed better in 76% and 88% of wounds, respectively. Digital photograph analysis revealed less erythema at the garlic sites (p-value = .02). CONCLUSION: Surgical wounds treated with 30% garlic ointment healed with more cosmetically appealing scars than the Vaseline-treated sites.

Effects of a topical botanically-enriched salve on cutaneous oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: There is a medical need to evaluate new treatments that may improve wound healing. This study aimed to determine if Original Healing Salve (OHS, Puremedy, Inc.) a topical, botanically-enriched salve (BES), changes distal leg tissue oxygenation in people with type 2 diabetes. METHOD: A randomised, controlled, crossover, double-blinded clinical trial comparing changes in cutaneous oxygen delivery (mean TcPO2) on multiple sites of the lower extremity following application of a botanically-enriched topical salve, as compared with application of the salve's base in patients with type 2 diabetes. Subjects were recruited from the general population as a convenience sample. RESULTS: A total of 16 participants were recruited. Analysis of the primary outcome demonstrated no statistically significant difference in TcPO2 at 30 minutes postapplication when comparing the BES to the base salve (BS) on the leg (-0.39±8.54mmHg; p=0.86). Analyses of secondary outcomes at 30 minutes postapplication indicated that mean TcPO2 was significantly higher than preapplication levels among subjects receiving both the BES (3.70±6.62mmHg; p=0.04) and BS on the leg (4.08±5.21mmHg; p=0.007). On the foot, mean TcPO2 at 30 minutes postapplication was higher in the BES compared with the BS, this difference was not significant (0.98±8.59mmHg; p=0.66). Mean TcPO2 was higher than preapplication levels among subjects receiving both the BES (1.21±7.70mmHg; p=0.54) and BS on the foot (2.19±7.27mmHg; p=0.25). These differences were non-significant. CONCLUSION: These findings support consideration of topical treatments containing botanical ingredients to increase cutaneous oxygen delivery in the lower extremity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment compared to narrow-band UVB in plaque psoriasis: first clinical and ultrasonographic study.

INTRODUCTION: A wide range of treatments are available for psoriasis, including pharmaceuticals and phototherapy. Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate and narrow-band ultraviolet phototherapy (NB-UVB) are both effective monotherapies for psoriasis; however, these two therapies have never been directly compared in a prospective clinical study. In this study, we compared the efficacy of combined calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate to NB-UVB in psoriatic patients with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 9-10 treated in a routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study included 58 consecutive patients (age range, 19-65 years) diagnosed with recurrent chronic small plaque psoriasis. Patients were offered either topical therapy with a two-compound ointment containing calcipotriol (50 µm/g) and betamethasone dipropionate (0.5 mg/g) or NB-UVB (311 nm). Disease severity was assessed at baseline and posttreatment according to PASI and target lesion score (TLS) and by high-frequency (20 MHz) ultrasonography (HF-USG). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between the groups was observed in baseline or posttreatment PASI scores. Both treatments resulted in substantial reductions in PASI: 85% and 82%, respectively, for the calcipotriol/betamethasone group and the NB-UVB group. Both treatments significantly decreased the subepidermal low echogenic band (SLEB) thickness, with no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the percentage reduction in SLEB. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that NB-UVB phototherapy and fixed combination calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment are equally effective in treating plaque psoriasis in patients with PASI 9-10 in routine clinical practice. In addition, measurement of SLEB thickness with HF-USG may be a useful objective parameter to assess skin lesions.

[Enzymatic débridement as a treatment option for deep dermal burns of the hand]. / Enzymatisches Débridement als Therapieoption bei tiefdermalen Verbrennungen der Hand.

Burns and thermal injuries from other causes often affect exposed body regions such as the hands. Besides aesthetic aspects, deep dermal burns of the skin are often critical from a functional point of view, especially for important subcutaneous structures. This article reports the course of two patients who received enzymatic debridement with bromelain-based salve as a treatment for deep grade burns of the hands.

Hailey-Hailey disease successfully treated with vitamin D oral supplementation.

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) also known as familial benign chronic pemphigus is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis. HHD treatment is often not satisfactory and hence, various modalities of treatment have been tried. We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman with a 2 years history of macerated erythematous plaques along with erosions, fissures, and crusts located on axillae and submammary areas, successfully treated with only oral supplementation of vitamin D (800 I.U./die) for 3 months. We reported this case to suggest that oral vitamin D may be enumerated in the various treatments proposed for HHD so far due to its rapid efficacy on skin lesions and symptoms.

Formulation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of Hedera helix L., topical dosage forms.

The purpose of this study was to prepare topical formulations of micro emulsion, gel and ointment containing the Hedera helix L. extracts against asthma and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics. A validated HPLC method was used for the analysis of blood plasma. In-vivo studies of the drugs were compared in rabbit plasma with oral dosing. Stability studies were performed for 3 months. The results showed that formulations were stable. No Skin irritation observed on rabbits. The optimized micro emulsion and gel showed fast absorption. Maximal plasma concentration (cmax) and the maximal time to reach cmax (tmax) were 70.226µg/mL, 75.26µg/mL and 2 hours for the micro emulsion and gel, 90.11µg/mL and 1 hour for the oral drug syrup respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as tmax, cmax and AUC of the selected formulations and oral dosing were significantly different (P < 0.01).

Considerations for Systemic and Topical Treatment of Morganella morganii Septicemia Arising from Maggot Infestation.

INTRODUCTION: Live maggot infestation (myiasis) of wounds can present a host of ailments. Loosely associated with maggot excreta, Morganella morganii is a widespread, gram-negative rod bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tracts of humans. M morganii has been observed as being pathogenic, particularly in nosocomial and postoperative environments, as well as in immunosuppressed and elderly populations. CASE REPORT: Herein, the authors present a rare, previously unreported case of M morganii septicemia (as confirmed by positive blood culture), secondary to myiasis of the lower extremities. The patient was successfully treated with both systemic and topical interventions. Posttreatment examination revealed resolution of myiasis and negative blood cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Myiasis can be invasive, leading to severe systemic infection. In these cases, a broad-spectrum antibiotic combined with systemic and topical antiparasitic therapy should be considered.

OLEOGEL-S10 TO ACCELERATE HEALING OF DONOR SITES: MONOCENTRIC RESULTS OF PHASE III CLINICAL TRIAL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oleogel-S10, an ointment containing betulin-rich triterpene dry extract from birch bark was tested in an open, blindly evaluated, prospective, controlled, randomized multicentre study to improve wound healing in donor sites. The primary endpoint was time to wound closure, and secondary endpoints were scar related measurements at the time of wound closure, and 3 and 12 months after wound closure (POSAS, laser speckle contrast analysis, viscoelastic analysis). RESULTS: We report the results from a single centre (Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno) of this phase III clinical trial. A total of 32 patients (25 men and 7 women) were included with the mean patient age of 41.8 years (SD, ±11.66). The mean extent of patients donor sites in the study was 56.77cm2 (SD, ±20.39). Median healing time of the verum group (Oleogel-S10) was 7 days (95% Confidence Interval 7-8 days) and for controls 8 days (95% CI 7-10 days). Comparison of POSAS data from the verum group revealed significantly lower values at all three time points as compared to the controls. Perfusion of scars of the verum group reached on average of 115 perfusion units at the end of treatment; the average was 69.8 perfusion units at the 3-month follow-up and 50.2 perfusion units at the 12-month follow-up. Control sites displayed significantly higher values at all time points (122.2 perfusion units, 73.9 perfusion units, 52.2 perfusion units). Significant differences were detected in the skins viscoelastic properties, with sites treated with Oleogel-S10 displaying more favourable values. CONCLUSION: In our results, we demonstrate the significant effectiveness of Oleogel-S10 in donor sites healingKeywords: Donor site, Triterpenes, Oleogel-S10, wound closure.