The effect of HESA-A on psoriasis vulgaris.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most common chronic skin disorders without any curative treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of HESA-A in the treatment of psoriasis.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 28 patients (11 male, 17 female) with chronic plaque-type psoriasis were randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups. Patients in treatment group received HESA-A tablet 25 mg/kg twice a day orally and control group received placebo with the same method for 6 months and were followed clinically during the study.


RESULTS
At the end of study, in the treatment group psoriatic plaques were absent (no evidence of psoriasis or complete remission) in 9 cases (64.2%) and was very mild (controlled, but not entirely cleared) in 5 cases (35.8%). Disease relief was observed in 10 (71.4%) patients after 4 months, in 2 cases (14.3%) after 5 months and in 2 (14.3%) other patients after 6 months while none of the controls showed disease improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed rapid and good efficacy and safety of HESA-A in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis.
Cancer Institute Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. swt_f@yahoo.com
Amrollah
A
Ahmadi
Babak
B
Barikbin
Mohsen
M
Naseri
Mohammadali
M
Mohagheghi
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013607:Tablets
C502848:HESA-A preparation; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013607:Tablets