Chinese and Western Herbal Medicines for the Topical Treatment of Psoriasis - a critical review of Efficacy and Safety

Booker, A., Heinrich, P.M. and Tsou, W.H. 2022. Chinese and Western Herbal Medicines for the Topical Treatment of Psoriasis - a critical review of Efficacy and Safety. Journal of Herbal Medicine. 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2022.100579

TitleChinese and Western Herbal Medicines for the Topical Treatment of Psoriasis - a critical review of Efficacy and Safety
TypeJournal article
AuthorsBooker, A., Heinrich, P.M. and Tsou, W.H.
Abstract

Introduction
This critical review of randomized controlled trials (RTCs) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal products used in the topical treatment of psoriasis.

Method
Selected databases were systematically searched using keywords. RCTs focusing on mild to moderate psoriasis using herbal topical treatments in comparison either to standard medications or placebo were included. The methodological and reporting quality of included trials was assessed through Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool (ROB2) and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement (with elaborations for herbal interventions), respectively. Meta-analysis was conducted via Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 software. 14 RCTs published from 2010 to 2020 were included in this review.

Results
There is some evidence to suggest that topical herbal treatments are useful in the treatment of psoriasis. The meta-analysis favoured herbal treatment over conventional medicines and placebo and the herbal treatments caused fewer side effects. Indigo naturalis, Hypericum perforatum L. oil (Hypericaceae) and Curcuma longa L. Zingiberaceae (Turmeric) were particularly promising, due to their possible anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusions
There is some evidence to suggest the use of topical herbal medicines in the treatment of psoriasis. However, the quality of included RCTs was poor and at a higher risk of bias in many domains. Therefore, larger, better designed and long-term RCTs should be conducted to enhance the quality of the evidence.

KeywordsPsoriasis
topical treatment
herbal medicines
Risk of Bias
CONSORT statement
RCT
JournalJournal of Herbal Medicine
Journal citation34
ISSN2210-8033
Year2022
PublisherElsevier
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2022.100579
Web address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210803322000483?via%3Dihub
Publication dates
Published online17 Jun 2022
PublishedJul 2022

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