Planta Med 2013; 79 - PC7
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1352001

Efficacy of an herbal multi-component topical TCM therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD) and related comorbid conditions like psoriasis, acne, alopecia, as well as fungal, bacterial, and viral skin infections

S Li 1, K Kuchta 2, N Tamaru 1, Y Lin 1, S Iwasaki 1, R Wang 3, HW Rauwald 4, T Kamei 5, Y Kobayashi 6
  • 1Medical Corporation Soujikai, 2-2-2 Hirano, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541 – 0046 Japan
  • 2Education and Research Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Sanyo Gakuen University, 1-14-1 Hirai, Naka-ku, Okayama 703 – 8501 Japan
  • 3Zhejiang Natural Plants Institute, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, Binjiang, Binkang 568 PR China
  • 4Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
  • 5Center for Industry, University and Government Cooperation, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852 – 8521 Japan
  • 6Shimane University, Medical Faculty, Department of basic nursing, 89-1 Enya, Izumo 693 – 8501 Japan

We recently reported the efficacy of a novel TCM therapy – consisting of both oral and topical medications – against AD [1]. Building on these results, we developed improved galenic formulations of two multi-component TCM extracts (overall 13 drugs) for purely topical application. All drugs were powdered and extracted in of boiling water for 5h. Extract 1 was formulated as an herbal soap (1) with anti-inflammatory activity and used for washing the affected areas. For extract 2, three distinct galenic formulations were developed, namely a lotion (2A) with high skin penetrating activity and fast-acting antipruritic effect; a gelatinous jelly (2B) favorable for the treatment of scratching and rupture scars; and a Vaseline based ointment (2C) with long-time activity due to retarded skin penetration and resulting moisturizing and skin protective action for the treatment of dry skin and ulcers.

Tab. 1: TCM plant drugs used in extract 1. extract 2 or both of them, given together with their traditional indications for external use accordmg to Chin Ph; Luo HS, Luo DH Immune Chinese Medians Bering Medical University and China Union Medical University Press. Beijing 1999. and Huang KT. Ding ZZ. Zhao SX Modem Compendium of Materia Medica Chinese Medical Science and Technology Press. Beijing 2001.

Both the described fast-acting and long-time effects are extremely important for escaping from the vicious circle of itching, scratching, worsening of the skin eruptions, to worsening of the itching caused by the strong itching feeling of AD. For evaluating the clinical efficacy in the therapy of AD, standardized scores were used for the severities of both AD (clinical severity 0 – 4) and pruritus (pruritus score 0 – 4). Both scores had significantly improved at the end of treatment after two months. Additionally, empirical clinical data on the therapeutic efficacy concerning related comorbid conditions like psoriasis, acne, alopecia, as well as fungal, bacterial, and viral skin infections were collected, demonstration high therapeutic potentials in all these conditions. None of the preparations did display any significant adverse effects, facilitating even prolonged application on new born infants. They can therefore be used in both clinical therapy and self-medication of skin disorders or even in cosmetic applications.

Reference:

[1] Li S et al. Forsch Komplementmed 2013;20:doi 10.1159/000351280