The evaluation of the clinical effect of topical St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) in plaque type psoriasis vulgaris: A pilot study

• Published in: Australasian journal of dermatology Vol. 53; no. 2; pp. 131 - 135
• Main Authors: Najafizadeh, Parvaneh, Hashemian, Farshad, Mansouri, Parvin, Farshi, Susan, Surmaghi, Mohammadhossein Salehi, Chalangari, Reza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01-05-2012; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Hypericum; Hypericum perforatum; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ointments - therapeutic use; Phytotherapy; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Psoriasis - drug therapy; psoriasis plaque type; psoriasis vulgaris; Psoriasis. Parapsoriasis. Lichen; Severity of Illness Index; Single-Blind Method; Young Adult; Hypericum perforatum; Local administration; Skin disease; Psoriasis; psoriasis vulgaris; Dermatology; psoriasis plaque type
• ISSN: 0004-8380; 1440-0960
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2012.00877.x

ABSTRACT
In this case series, ten patients with plaque‐type psoriasis were treated with Hypericum perforatum ointment. The hypericum ointment was applied to one side of each patient's body and the vehicle to the opposite side twice daily for 4 weeks in a single blinded manner. Modified psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scores were significantly lowered where the formulated ointment had been applied. In determining PASI scores, three factors, erythema, scaling and thickness, were evaluated; all were significantly lower where the formulated ointment had been applied (P = 0.01, P = 0.004, P = 0.04). Hypericum perforatum ointment applied twice daily may be effective in reducing PASI scores in mild plaque‐type psoriasis, however, further larger studies need be conducted to achieve a more conclusive result.