title: Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical retinoids are considered first-line therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris, yet can be associated with cutaneous irritations. Combination therapy with natural preparations could be effective in treatment and decreasing adverse events.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the combination of tretinoin (TR) cream (0.05%) and Aloe vera topical gel (50%) with TR and vehicle.
  
  
  METHODS
  The randomized, double-blind, prospective 8-week trial evaluated inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion scores and tolerability in 60 subjects with mild to moderate acne vulgaris (global acne grading system scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several formulations of A. vera leaf gel were prepared and the most stable one was selected for clinical study based on physicochemical evaluations. The combination therapy showed superior efficacy to TR and placebo. TR/Aloe vera gel (AVG) was significantly more effective in reducing non-inflammatory (p = 0.001), inflammatory (p = 0.011) and total (p = 0.003) lesion scores than control group. The highest percentage of adverse cutaneous effect was reported for scaling. At the end of study, erythema in the TR/AVG-treated group was significantly less severe (p = 0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination TR/AVG was well tolerated and significantly more effective than TR and vehicle for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Boo Ali Sina (Avicenna) Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Sari , Iran.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Hajheydari
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Saeedi
authors: Katayoun
authors: K
authors: Morteza-Semnani
authors: Aida
authors: A
authors: Soltani
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000504:Aloe; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005782:Gels; D014212:Tretinoin