The effect of TJ-15 plus TJ-17 on atopic dermatitis: a pilot study based on the principle of pattern identification.
OBJECTIVE
Hwang-Yeon-Hae-Dok-San (TJ-15) and Ou-Ryung-San (TJ-17) are two common herbal formulas that have been used to treat atopic dermatitis (AD), especially the Dampness-Heat pattern of AD. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of TJ-15 plus TJ-17 for patients with the Dampness-Heat pattern of AD based on pattern identification.


METHODS
This study was a parallel, randomized, active-controlled, double-blind trial. A total of 24 patients were enrolled. Either a combination of TJ-15 plus TJ-17, or TJ-15 alone was orally administered 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Of the patients enrolled, 19 patients completed the 4-week treatment course (TJ-15 plus TJ-17: n=8, TJ-15: n=11). Efficacy was assessed using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index; area of eczema and severity index (EASI); as well as the symptoms related to the Dampness-Heat by pattern identification. Efficacy measures were evaluated at the baseline and at 4 weeks. Safety was assessed throughout the study using ongoing laboratory tests.


RESULTS
Both the SCORAD and EASI showed more improvement in the TJ-15 plus TJ-17 group than in the TJ-15 group; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The symptoms related to the Dampness-Heat pattern were reduced in both groups, and the changes were similar. There were no reported adverse events during this study, or abnormalities observed on aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine testing.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that both the TJ-15 plus TJ-17 and the TJ-15 provided safe and effective treatment for patients with the Dampness-Heat pattern type of AD.
Department of Oriental Dermatology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
In-Hwa
IH
Choi
Sehyun
S
Kim
YoungChul
Y
Kim
Younghee
Y
Yun
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D014867:Water