Efficacy and Safety of Cream Containing Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Vaccinium myrtillius, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, and Tamarindus indica Compared with Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream in Eczema and Psoriasis

Background: Topical corticosteroids are the main treatment in eczema and psoriasis. However, long-term use of corticosteroids causes unwanted adverse effects. Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DPG) HERB cream, containing DPG, Vaccinium myrtillius, epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, and Tamarindus indica, has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect by inhibiting histamine release and proinflammatory cytokine production so a natural herbal cream is required for alternative treatment. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DPG-HERB. Materials and Methods: The present study was a right-left, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial in participants with eczema or plaque psoriasis on both sides of the body. DPG-HERB was applied to the lesion on one side of the body, while 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) cream was applied to the lesion on the other side, twice daily for four weeks. Disease severity as eczema area and severity index (EASI) in eczema, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in psoriasis, skin biophysics as corneometry and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and clinical assessments as erythema, scale or excoriation, and lichenification or thickness, were evaluated at baseline, week 2 and week 4 after treatment. The dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was performed at baseline and week 4. Adverse effects were recorded during each visit. Results: The evaluation of the 75 patients with 150 lesions in the present study, DPG-HERB and TA cream showed significant improvement in all the evaluated characteristics of eczema (p<0.05), however, in psoriasis, both creams showed significant improvement in skin biophysics, PASI, scale, and thickness (p<0.05), but DPG-HERB was less effective in decreasing erythema (DPG-HERB, p=0.31 and TA, p<0.05) and less improving TEWL compared with 0.1% TA cream (DPG-HERB, p=0.051 and TA, p<0.05). No side effects in the short-term period were reported in either group. Conclusion: DPG-HERB is safe and efficacious in eczema, but less effective in psoriasis comparing to TA cream. Keywords: Eczema; Plaque psoriasis; Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate acid