title: A study of the free radical scavenging effects of Piper betle leaf extract in patients with vitiligo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is an idiopathic skin disease manifested by depigmented macules. It is characterised by melanocyte destruction, and redox imbalance is proposed to play a contributory role.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an ethanolic extract of Piper betle leaves on the generation of reactive oxygen species in erythrocytes sourced from vitiligo patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of Piper betle on the generation of reactive oxygen species in erythrocytes was measured by flow cytometry in patients with active and stable vitiligo versus healthy controls, using 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The generation of reactive oxygen species in erythrocytes was higher in patients with vitiligo (n = 23) compared to healthy controls (n = 18). The geometrical mean fluorescence channel was 23.05 ± 2.11 in patients versus 17.77 ± 1.79 in controls, P = 0.039. The levels of reactive oxygen species were higher in patients with active vitiligo. Treatment of erythrocytes with Piper betle in concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml significantly decreased the baseline levels of reactive oxygen species by 31.7% in healthy controls, and 47.6% and 44.3% in patients with active vitiligo, respectively. Piper betle effectively scavenged hydrogen peroxide, which was evident by a decrease in the geometrical mean fluorescence channel by 52.4% and 62.9% in healthy controls, and 45.0% and 57.0% in patients with active vitiligo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study had a small sample size. Future studies should focus on evaluation of the antioxidant role of Piper betle at the lesional site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study indicates that patients with active vitiligo demonstrate enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species in erythrocytes, which was significantly reduced following ex vivo treatment with Piper betle.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Sneha
authors: S
authors: Mitra
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Ayan Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Pati
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Alak
authors: A
authors: Manna
authors: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Arghyaprasun
authors: A
authors: Ghosh
authors: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Sumit
authors: S
authors: Sen
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Suparna
authors: S
authors: Chatterjee
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors: Mitali
authors: M
authors: Chatterjee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031721:Piper betle; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species