title: A European prospective, randomized placebo-controlled doubleblind Study on the efficacy and safety of Dr Michaels® (also branded as Soratinex®) product family for stable chronic plaque psoriasis.
abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, recurrent, genetically determined dermatitis that affects the skin and joints. Many patients affected by this condition seek alternatives and complementary treatment options such as herbal medicines. In order to establish the safety of these products, trials, according to medical standards should be performed to provide the highest quality of data. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of an Australian series of herbal skincare products [Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) skin-care products for psoriasis] for the management of stable chronic plaque psoriasis. We studied 142 patients (68 females and 74 males) with mild to moderate, stable, chronic plaque psoriasis and they were randomly assigned to either verum or control group. Exclusion criteria were: severe psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis, intertriginous psoriasis, palmoplantar psoriasis, use of any antipsoriatic treatment and any medication which could influence or interfere with the course of the disease. Both groups consisted of a cleansing gel, an ointment and an oil blend (skin conditioner), packed in neutral bottles, used twice daily for all lesions except the scalp, for 8 weeks. As control products, we used compositions of well-known neutral ointments and medicinal bathing oil. Assessment, using the Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI) scores, was done before treatment and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Patient improvement was determined by the percentage reduction of the PASI scores. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Mann-Whitney-U Test with SPSS for Windows. Our investigation demonstrates that complementary methods can play a role in dermatologic therapy as long as they undergo standardised clinical trials and fulfil the basic requirements such as product safety and quality assurance. This study shows that Dr Michaels (Soratinex®) herbal skin-care products improve mild to moderate stable chronic plaque psoriasis significantly.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - Miami, FL, USA; Centro Studi per la Ricerca Multidisciplinare e Rigenerativa. Università Degli Studi "G. Marconi", Rome, Italy.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: França
authors: 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Bulovka Hospital, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Hercogovấ
authors: Department of Nuclear Physics, Sub-nuclear and Radiation, G. Marconi University, Rome, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fioranelli
authors: Dermatological Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gianfaldoni
authors: Onkoderma- Policlinic for dermatology and dermatologic surgery, Sofia, Bulgaria; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical faculty, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Chokoeva
authors: Medical Institute of Ministry of Interior (MVR), Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Tchernev
authors: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany.
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Wollina
authors: Psoriasis and Skin Clinic, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tirant
authors: PRO SANUM Ltd., Sanatorium of Prof. Novotný, Štěpánská Prague 1,Czech Republic.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Novotny
authors: University B.I.S. Group of Institutions, Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India.
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Roccia
authors: Department Medicinal Information and Non-interventional studies, Bulgarian Drug Agency Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors: G K
authors: GK
authors: Maximov
authors: Chair of Dermatology, University of Rome G. Marconi Rome, Italy.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Lotti
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome