Plectranthus amboinicus and Centella asiatica Cream for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Abstract EN

Effects of a topical cream containing P.

amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.

(Lamiaceae) and C.

asiatica (L.) Urban (Umbelliferae) were evaluated and compared to effects of hydrocolloid fiber wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers.

A single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label study was conducted.

Twenty-four type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients aged 20 years or older with Wagner grade 3 foot ulcers postsurgical debridement were enrolled between October 2008 and December 2009.

Twelve randomly assigned patients were treated with WH-1 cream containing P.

amboinicus and C.

asiatica twice daily for two weeks.

Another 12 patients were treated with hydrocolloid fiber dressings changed at 7 days or when clinically indicated.

Wound condition and safety were assessed at days 7 and 14 and results were compared between groups.

No statistically significant differences were seen in percent changes in wound size at 7- and 14-day assessments of WH-1 cream and hydrocolloid dressing groups.

A slightly higher proportion of patients in the WH-1 cream group (10 of 12; 90.9%) showed Wagner grade improvement compared to the hydrocolloid fiber dressing group but without statistical significance.

For treating diabetic foot ulcers, P.

amboinicus and C.

asiatica cream is a safe alternative to hydrocolloid fiber dressing without significant difference in effectiveness.