The rationality involved in the popular use of coffee (Coffea sp) and sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) for the treatment of vitiligo: a case report

• Published in: Explore (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 587 - 590
• Main Authors: Leite, Paula M., Alves, Stephanie D.O., Castilho, Rachel O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-09-2022
• Subjects: Coffee; Herbal medicine; Melanin; Melanogenesis; Sunflower seed; Vitiligo; Herbal medicine; Vitiligo; Sunflower seed; Melanogenesis; Coffee; Melanin
• ISSN: 1550-8307; 1878-7541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.05.004

•The treatments available for vitiligo have many adverse effects and/or contraindications;•Natural alternatives such as mamacadela (Brosimum gaudichaudii) are already a therapeutic option;•There are reports of the popular use of a preparation containing coffee (Coffea sp) and sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) to treat vitiligo;•The chemical composition of these plants supports the rationality of this use;•Further studies are needed in order to optimize the use of these species in the treatment of vitiligo.
Introduction: Vitiligo is a dermatological disease that affects about 0.38% to 2.9% of the world population. Currently, the main treatments used for vitiligo involve the use of topical drugs such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, systemic treatment with steroids and even surgical grafts and, in acute cases, depigmenting treatments. Natural products are an alternative for the treatment of vitiligo: mamacadela (Brosimum gaudichaudii), a plant rich in furanocoumarins, and sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), rich in phenolic substances, are already used to treat vitiligo. There are also popular reports of the use of a preparation containing coffee (Coffea sp) and sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) to treat vitiligo. Case report: A female patient, 28 years old, diagnosed with vitiligo, reported having obtained a positive result in the repigmentation of the pale white patches after the daily use of a preparation containing coffee and sunflower seed for about one year. Discussion: Data from the scientific literature demonstrated that chemical constituents of these plants, such as chlorogenic acid and its isomers, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, and substances such as linoleic acid and vitamins E and B, which help in the process of melanin formation on the skin, may be responsible for the observed repigmentation of the patches. Further research on this case report is important for scientific validation and the development of new therapeutic options, especially with less adverse effects, in the treatment of vitiligo.