Topical Turmeric Microemulgel in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis; A Clinical Evaluation

Psoriasis is an autoimmune and recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease. About 1-3% of the world wide populations are affected. The characteristic features are hyperprolifration of keratinocytes leading to redness, thickening and scaling of epidermis followed with itching and appearance of the lesions which in most cases bother the patients medically and psychologically. Psoriasis is symptomatically treated by the range of oral and topical medications, however, major side effects in some cases are associated with them. Based on several studies, Curcuma longa can inhibit several inflammatory enzymes mainly involved in the inflammatory process of Psoriasis. Therefore, we decided to target this well-known herbal agent with fantastic safety profile to be formulated as a novel topical microemulgel. The clinical and therapeutic benefit of this novel topical formulation was evaluated on 34 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in a randomized, prospective intra-individual, right–left comparative, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Questionnaire and Psoriasis area & severity index (PASI) score as well as photos before and after treatment was used to evaluate the outcome. The results show that the clinical and quality of life features in treated lesions in comparison with untreated lesions have improved (P<0.05). The reported side effects were also recorded and were trivial. Based on our findings, the proposed microemulgel may well be considered as an alternative in some patients and most likely as an add-on therapeutic option for many patients suffering with plaque psoriasis.