Exploration of "alternative" and "natural" drugs in dermatology.
OBJECTIVE
To review some of the promising natural remedies within dermatology to explore their potential clinical benefit in supplementing conventional drugs.


METHODS
MEDLINE searches from January 1966 through October 2000 and Science Citation Index searches from January 1974 through October 2000 were conducted.


METHODS
Primary importance was given to in vivo and in vitro controlled studies, the results of which encourage further exploration.


METHODS
The controls used, the statistical approach to analysis, and the validity of the experimental method analyzed were considered particularly important. Data were independently extracted by multiple observers.


RESULTS
Natural remedies seem promising in treating a wide variety of dermatologic disorders, including inflammation, phototoxicity, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and poison oak.


CONCLUSIONS
The alternative medications presented seem promising, although their true effects are unknown. Many of the presented studies do not allow deduction of clinical effects. Further experimentation must be performed to assess clinical benefit.
Levin
Cheryl
C
Department of Dermatology, UCSF Medical Center, 90 Medical Center Way, Room 110, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Maibach
Howard
H
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
C113468:2-hydroxy-5-octanoylbenzoic acid; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012459:Salicylates; D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid