Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, itchy dermatosis of multifactorial origin, which commonly starts in childhood. Defective metabolism of essential fatty acids leading to relative dominance of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2) has been reported as an important factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Evening primrose oil (EPO) as a source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been of interest in the management of AD.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EPO in atopic dermatitis in our patients.


METHODS
Consecutive new out-patient department (OPD) patients of a referral hospital in Kolkata clinically diagnosed as having AD were randomly allocated to two groups. To the first group, evening primrose oil was supplied as 500-mg oval clear unmarked capsules, while placebo capsules identical in appearance and containing 300 mg of sunflower oil were given to the other group. Treatment continued for a period of 5 months. With pre-designed scoring system (based on four major parameters: extent, intensity, itching, and dryness), clinical evaluation was done at baseline and subsequent monthly visits. Data of the first 25 patients from each group who completed the 5 months of trial were compiled and analyzed.


RESULTS
At the end of the fifth month, 24 (96%) patients of EPO group and 8 (32%) patients of placebo group showed improvement. There was significant difference in outcome of treatment between two groups (P<0.00001). No significant adverse effect was reported by any patient/guardian at any point of assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Evening primrose oil is a safe and effective medicine in management of AD. However, since not all researchers across the world have found the same good result, further large trials on Indian patients are needed.
Senapati
Swapan
S
Department of Dermatology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, India.
Banerjee
Sabyasachi
S
Gangopadhyay
Dwijendra Nath
DN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid