Low-dose triamcinolone acetonide in the phytocosmetic lichtena reduces inflammation in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Previously, we reported the efficacy of Lichtena--a phytocosmetic cream product--in atopic dermatitis (AD). Later, fraudulent triamcinolone acetonide (TACA) was detected at low doses (16-40 microg/g) in Lichtena. This suggested that TACA may be effective at much lower concentrations than used in commercial products (1,000 microg/g).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy in AD of low-dose TACA in Lichtena compared to plain Lichtena.


METHODS
Fourteen patients presenting symmetrical lesions of AD were treated for 1 month with Lichtena plus 25 microg/g TACA (= verum) and plain Lichtena (= placebo). The severity of the lesions was assessed by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) on days 0 (= baseline), 7, 14 and 28.


RESULTS
Already after 1 week of treatment, significant SCORAD differences to baseline were observed comparing verum- and placebo-treated areas. No improvement was observed using plain Lichtena.


CONCLUSIONS
TACA displayed a significant improvement of AD at doses up to 40 times lower than in commercial products.
Pellanda
Carolina
C
Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Weber
Monika
M
Bircher
Andreas
A
Surber
Christian
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010919:Placebos; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide