Analysis of Chinese herbal creams prescribed for dermatological conditions

Abstract Objective: To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids. Design: 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	BMJ Vol. 318; no. 7183; pp. 563 - 564
Main Authors:	MKeane, F, Munn, S E, Vivier, A W P du, Taylor, N F, Higgins, E M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London British Medical Journal Publishing Group 27-02-1999 British Medical Association BMJ Publishing Group LTD BMJ Publishing Group British Medical Journal
Edition:	International edition
Subjects:	Administration, Topical Adult Adults Alternative medicine Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry Biochemistry Biological and medical sciences Child Chromatography, Gas Cream Dermatology Dexamethasone - administration & dosage Drug dosages Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry Eczema Glucocorticoids Health & beauty aids Herbal medicine Herbalists Herbs Humans Medical sciences Ointments - chemistry Pharmacology. Drug treatments Side effects Skin Skin care Skin Diseases - drug therapy Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton Steroids Steroids - analysis Suppliers Human Corticosteroid Skin disease Biochemical analysis Dexamethasone Dermatology Cream Medicinal plant Gas chromatography Chemotherapy Treatment Chinese Mass spectrometry
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Summary:	Abstract Objective: To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids. Design: 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Setting: Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry. Main outcome measure: Presence of steroid. Results: Eight creams contained dexamethasone at a mean concentration of 456μg/g (range 64to 1500μg/g). All were applied to areas of sensitive skin such as face and flexures. Conclusion: Greater regulation needs to be imposed on Chinese herbalists to prevent illegal and inappropriate prescribing of potent steroids.
Bibliography:	PMID:10037629 ark:/67375/NVC-4ZHJ042V-7 href:bmj-318-563.pdf Correspondence to: Dr Keane local:bmj;318/7183/563 istex:B307957A9DA18682ED7EA6110A6BCA53066BB015 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Contributors: FMK designed the project, collated the data, and wrote the paper. SEM helped in the design of the project and collection of creams for analysis. NFT performed the steroid analysis. EMH and AWPduV coordinated the research and are guarantors for the paper. Correspondence to: Dr Keane FionaKeane99@hotmail.com
ISSN:	0959-8138 0959-8146 1468-5833 1756-1833
DOI:	10.1136/bmj.318.7183.563