Effect of Aloe vera topical gel combined with tretinoin in treatment of mild and
moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial.
Author(s): Hajheydari Z(1), Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Soltani A.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Department of Dermatology, Boo Ali Sina (Avicenna) Hospital, Faculty of Medicine,
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences , Sari , Iran.
Publication date & source: 2014, J Dermatolog Treat. , 25(2):123-9
BACKGROUND: Topical retinoids are considered first-line therapy in the treatment
of acne vulgaris, yet can be associated with cutaneous irritations. Combination
therapy with natural preparations could be effective in treatment and decreasing
adverse events.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the
combination of tretinoin (TR) cream (0.05%) and Aloe vera topical gel (50%) with
TR and vehicle.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The randomized, double-blind, prospective 8-week trial
evaluated inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion scores and tolerability in 60
subjects with mild to moderate acne vulgaris (global acne grading system scale).
RESULTS: Several formulations of A. vera leaf gel were prepared and the most
stable one was selected for clinical study based on physicochemical evaluations.
The combination therapy showed superior efficacy to TR and placebo. TR/Aloe vera
gel (AVG) was significantly more effective in reducing non-inflammatory (p =
0.001), inflammatory (p = 0.011) and total (p = 0.003) lesion scores than control
group. The highest percentage of adverse cutaneous effect was reported for
scaling. At the end of study, erythema in the TR/AVG-treated group was
significantly less severe (p = 0.046).
CONCLUSION: The combination TR/AVG was well tolerated and significantly more
effective than TR and vehicle for the treatment of mild to moderate acne
vulgaris.
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