Clinical trial of a herbal topical cream in treatment of Acne vulgaris

The main anti-acne medicines including retinoids, systemic and topical antibiotics and hormones have several severe side effects. According to the literature, it is expected that Calendula officinalis, Rosa canina, Zataria multiflora and Trigonella foenum graecum which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, and Glycin max that have phytosterogenic property, heal the inflamed lesions of the disease. The purpose of the present study was to formulate and clinically evaluate an anti-acne cream using the extract of the above mentioned plants.A general formula of a cleansing cream containing bees wax, spermaceti, borax, liquid paraffin and water was considered and then corrected. The best formula was chosen according to its physicochemical properties. The stability of the formulation was evaluated. After diagnosis of acne vulgaris, the number of inflamed lesions and severity of the disease were determined. After two weeks of administration of the coded formulations, the process of improvement and possible complications were reviewed. If necessary, the treatment was continued for another two weeks. Finally, the patients were examined for the number of lesions and the severity again. The significance of data was analyzed statistically using SPSS. The final product was water in oil cream with suitable appearance and acceptable physico-chemical stability. Clinical trial results were significantly illustrated the effectiveness of the formulation mainly against papular and pustular lesions; disease severity and acne-induced inflammation, when compared to placebo. Previous researches have shown the presence of steroid saponins in Trigonella foenum graecum that make it a good anti-inflammatory agent. Also, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effect of the other above mentioned plants are reported. Considering the results of the present study, when compared with placebo, a formulation containing the mixed extract of the plants has a good efficacy in the treatm