Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis by silymarin

Abstract EN

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes eczema, rashes, and itching.

It is most common in younger people & adolescence.

Recurrent relapses are a characteristic feature of atopic eczema.

Anti-inflammatory therapy of exacerbations is aimed to control effectively disease activity and permit a return to basic dermatological therapy as soon as possible.

Oxidative stress & inflammatory responses are thought to be responsible for the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

Silymarin is a polyphenolic flavonoid derived from the seed of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner) that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective effect.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of topical preparation of silymarin in atopic dermatitis.

Patients & method: Forty-three patients with atopic dermatitis (26 female, 14 male, 3 - 34 years old) were participated in the single blind, placebo controlled, 8-week trial.

Of these, 10 patients were treated with 0.05 %, 10 patients were treated with 0.1 %, 10 patients were treated with 0.2 % topical preparation of silymarin, twice daily.

The other 10 patients were received placebo twice daily.

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement.

A statically significant was seen in mean total body surface area involvement over time.

Mean total body surface area was 25.675% at baseline & decreased to 1% at 2-4 week.

Silymarin ointment was proven to act rapidly, to be highly effective, excellent improvements in pruritis, erythema, & skin irritation were noted in the patients who received 0.1 % & 0.2 % silymarin ointment topical treatment in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion: Topical treatment of silymarin is more effective, safe & may represent a breakthrough drug in the manegment of atopic dermatitis.