No abstract

Background: Although Hamamelis virginiana has long been used in the traditional treatment of skin diseases, there are few controlled clinical studies defining the extent of its anti-inflammatory action. Objective:The anti-inflammatory efficacy of pH5 Eucerin aftersun lotion with 10% hamamelis distillate, the vehicle and a prior aftersun formulation were tested in 30 healthy volunteers using a modified UVB erythema test as model of inflammation. Methods: Four UVB doses ranging from 1 to 2 MED were evaluated in each subject. Test fields on the back were treated occlusively for 48 h following irradiation. Chromametry and visual scoring were used to determine the degree of erythema in the treated fields and an untreated, irradiated control field 7, 24 and 48 h after irradiation. Results: Erythema suppression ranged from approximately 20% at 7 h to 27% at 48 h in the hamamelis fields. A suppression of 11–15% was recorded in the fields treated with the other lotions. Significant differences were noted between hamamelis and these lotions. Conclusion: These data provide evidence for an anti-inflammatory action of the aftersun lotion with 10% hamamelis and support the usefulness of the UVB erythema test with multiple UV doses for the testing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease in infancy, for which topical steroids are the first-line therapy but have side effects. Innovative approaches are needed to reduce the burden of AD and corticosteroid usage in infants. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The once-daily consumption of heat-treated probiotic <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> GM-080 or placebo for 16 weeks as supplementary approach to topical treatment with fluticasone propionate cream was compared in AD infants aged 4–30 months. Outcomes were SCORAD and its subscores, TEWL, Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), corticoid “sparing effect,” CCL17/TARC, and IgE status. <b><i>Results:</i></b> SCORAD, objective SCORAD, itching, and IDQOL decreased significantly (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) over the treatment period in both treatment groups. Slight decreases (ns) were noted in TEWL in lesional and unaffected skin and CCL17 levels. There were no differences between the treatment groups. Total IgE increased over the treatment period in both groups, with significantly higher increase in the heat-treated probiotic group (<i>p</i> = 0.038). There was no evidence of a corticoid “sparing effect” by the probiotic. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In this design, the probiotic <i>L. paracasei</i> was not beneficial as a complementary approach to topical corticosteroids in infants with AD. However, slight beneficial effects may have been masked by the moderate potency corticoid.

In 40 volunteers the efficacy of three lotions with 10% hamamelis distillates from different suppliers, two vehicles, dimethindene maleate 0.1% gel, hydrocortisone 1% cream and hydrocortisone 0.25% lotion were investigated in a modified UV erythema test with three UV dosages (1.2, 1.4 and 1.7 MED). The test preparations were applied occlusively over a 48-hour period following irradiation. Chromametric measurement of redness and visual assessment were performed 24, 48 and 72 h after induction of erythema. The hydrocortisone formulations were most effective in erythema suppression. An anti- inflammatory effect was noted for all three hamamelis lotions as well as for the vehicles. A significantly greater suppression of erythema than seen with the vehicles was noted for one of the hamamelis lotions at 1.4 MED. The efficacy of the antihistamine dimethindene maleate did not surpass the hamamelis lotions or the vehicles. Even though the differences between the hamamelis lotions were slight, it was possible to make an objective selection of the best hamamelis distillate for aftersun purposes.

Background: Recently, a combination product (Daivobet^® ointment: calcipotriol 50 µg/g, betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g) has been developed for the treatment of psoriasis. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate that the atrophogenic potential of Daivobet is less or equal to the skin thinning produced by Diprosone^® (betamethasone dipropionate 0.05 mg/g). Methods: The forearms of 45 subjects were treated with Daivobet and Diprosone or Daivobet and its vehicle twice daily over a 4-week period. Sonographic measurements for full skin thickness, clinical assessments and biopsies were carried out. Results: A confidence interval approach was used to establish that skin thinning following treatment with Daivobet was equal to or less than thinning with Diprosone. Histological results did not suggest differences between Daivobet and Diprosone. Clinical signs of atrophy or irritation were not observed. Conclusions: The atrophogenic potential of Daivobet and Diprosone was similar following twice daily application over a 4-week treatment period. Skin irritation was not observed.