title: Healing effect of Pilocarpine gel 4% on skin lesions of pemphigus vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high rate of morbidity and mortality resulting from long-term use of corticosteroids in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) warrants discovery of a new treatment strategy. Based on a new theory on the pathophysiology of PV, cholinomimetics can block the process of blister formation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Pilocarpine gel in the treatment of skin lesions of PV.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, three PV patients with a total of 64 skin lesions were treated by either Pilocarpine or placebo gel. After 15 days of treatment an epithelialization index of the two groups was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of the epithelialization index in skin lesions that received Pilocarpine was significantly higher than that of the placebo group (40.3 +/- 1.7 vs. 24.4 +/- 3.3, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pilocarpine gel effectively treats PV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, AL-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. iraji@med.mui.ac.ir
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iraji
authors.forename: AliReza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoosefi
mesh_terms: D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D005782:Gels; D010919:Placebos; D010862:Pilocarpine