title: Novel stain-free lecithinized coal tar formulation for psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coal tar has been a very popular traditional treatment for various types of psoriasis for over a century. It is the first-line treatment for scalp, hand, and foot psoriasis. However, the application of coal tar on hair invariably causes staining, which results in a high degree of patient non-compliance, especially in patients with non-black hair. Thus, the treatment of scalp psoriasis with a topical coal tar formulation requires that special concern be paid to product esthetics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the hair-staining characteristics of a novel lecithinized coal tar (LCT) formulation on different types of mammalian hair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of hair from different mammals, including human, sheep, rabbit, and goat, were repeatedly exposed to the LCT formulation over 14 days. The color of hair samples treated with LCT was compared with that of untreated control hair samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study revealed the distinct non-staining potential of the LCT formulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This LCT formulation lacks the propensity to stain hair and thus has excellent potential to be exploited in the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Drug Delivery Research Group, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UGC), University Grants Commission, Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Bhupinder
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Basant
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amarji
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Negi
authors.forename: Anshuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Om Prakash
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Katare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003033:Coal Tar / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006041:Goats; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054709:Lecithins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D054709:Lecithins; D003033:Coal Tar