Topical Herbal Formulae in the Management of Psoriasis: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies and Investigation of the Pharmacological Actions of the Main Herbs

Phytotherapy ResearchVolume 28, Issue 4 p. 480-497 Review Topical Herbal Formulae in the Management of Psoriasis: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies and Investigation of the Pharmacological Actions of the Main Herbs Shiqiang Deng, Shiqiang Deng School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorBrian H. May, Brian H. May School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorAnthony L. Zhang, Anthony L. Zhang School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorChuanjian Lu, Corresponding Author Chuanjian Lu Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China Correspondence to: Chuanjian Lu. and Charlie Xue, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. E-mail: [email protected] (C. Lu), [email protected] (C. Xue)Search for more papers by this authorCharlie C. L. Xue, Corresponding Author Charlie C. L. Xue School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 Australia Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China Correspondence to: Chuanjian Lu. and Charlie Xue, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. E-mail: [email protected] (C. Lu), [email protected] (C. Xue)Search for more papers by this author Shiqiang Deng, Shiqiang Deng School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorBrian H. May, Brian H. May School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorAnthony L. Zhang, Anthony L. Zhang School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorChuanjian Lu, Corresponding Author Chuanjian Lu Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China Correspondence to: Chuanjian Lu. and Charlie Xue, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. E-mail: [email protected] (C. Lu), [email protected] (C. Xue)Search for more papers by this authorCharlie C. L. Xue, Corresponding Author Charlie C. L. Xue School of Health Sciences, and Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Program, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083 Australia Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China Correspondence to: Chuanjian Lu. and Charlie Xue, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China. E-mail: [email protected] (C. Lu), [email protected] (C. Xue)Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 July 2013 https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5028Citations: 29Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined the topical use of multi-herbal formulations for the management of psoriasis vulgaris. Studies were identified from PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, and the Chinese databases CNKI and CQVIP. Methods were according to the Cochrane Handbook and meta-analyses used RevMan 5.1. Nine studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The comparisons were with placebo and/or anti-psoriatic pharmacotherapy (APP) with two studies having three arms. The pooled meta-analysis data indicated the topical herbal formulae improved overall clinical efficacy (defined as 50% improvement or greater) when compared with: topical placebo (plus oral herbal co-intervention); topical APP alone; and topical APP (plus pharmaceutical co-intervention). Improvement was evident in Modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score when topical herbal formula was compared to placebo (plus oral herbal co-intervention). No serious adverse events were reported. The most commonly used herbs were Sophora flavescens root and Lithospermum erythrorhizon root. 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