NATURAL HERBAL VITILIGO TREATMENT, HONEY: AN APPLIED CASE STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRA ABSTRA ABSTRA ABSTRA ABSTRACT CT CT CT CT Vitiligo is chronic idiopathic disorder of skin pigmentation that plays havocs with the social livings of patients. Its major symptom is the occurrence of white patches/lesions on human skin. It affects 1-2 % of general population. A 15 years juvenile patient was affected by generalized Vitiligo with no familial history of the ailment. The patient was asked to take two table spoonful of honey per oral mixed with one cup of boiled milk of cow early in the morning daily. White de-pigmented skin was observed to be partially re-pigmented after 4 months with the reversal of disease progression.

Full text

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MC Vol. 21 - No.4 - 2015 ( 63-66 ) Hussain I. et al
NATURAL HERBAL VITILIGO TREATMENT, HONEY: AN APPLIED
CASE STUDY
ABSTRAABSTRA
ABSTRAABSTRA
ABSTRACTCT
CTCT
CT
Vitiligo is chronic idiopathic disorder of skin pigmentation that plays havocs
with the social livings of patients. Its major symptom is the occurrence of white
patches/lesions on human skin. It affects 1-2 % of general population. A 15
years juvenile patient was affected by generalized Vitiligo with no familial
history of the ailment. The patient was asked to take two table spoonful of
honey per oral mixed with one cup of boiled milk of cow early in the morning
daily. White de-pigmented skin was observed to be partially re-pigmented after
4 months with the reversal of disease progression.
Key Words: Vitiligo, Leucoderma, Pigmentation, Natural formulation, Honey,
Milk.
INTRINTR
INTRINTR
INTRODUCTIONODUCTION
ODUCTIONODUCTION
ODUCTION
Vitiligo is chronic idiopathic disorder of skin pigmentation that plays havocs
with the social livings of patients. Its major symptom is the occurrence of white
patches/lesions on human skin1. It affects 1-2 % of general population, being
more prominent in darker skin and less visible in lighter skin 2. Amongst total
prevalence, 25% cases were affected below the age of 14 years 3. Vitiligo is the
disease of ancient ages as mentioned in Ebes Papyrus (2500BC) 1. Psychiatric
symptoms badly devastate the personality of the effected. Lower self esteem,
lack of confidence, social phobia, anxiety and depressive episodes prevail if the
ailment is not managed properly. These conditions are negative feedback for the
patches to multiply and their spread on different body organs 4. There are
different goals to manage the Vitiligo. Multiple regimens are used therapeutically
such as corticosteroids, u.v light, psoralins etc. Effected lesions especially those
on face can be camouflaged with the use of cosmetics. Surgery is also one of
the used remedy 5.
Present study enlightens the use of natural formulation to fight Vitiligo. Milk
MEDICALMEDICAL
MEDICALMEDICAL
MEDICAL
CHANNELCHANNEL
CHANNELCHANNEL
CHANNEL
Case Report
OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2015
Author for Correspondence:
IRSHAD HUSSAIN
Department of Dermatology and
Department of Pharmacy,
Chanka Medical College,
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto Medical University
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
E.mail: irshadpharmacist@yahoo.com
* Irshad Hussain ** Syed Nisar Hussain Shah *** Abdul Manan Bhutto **** Barkat Ali Khan ***** Abdur Rashid
* (M.Phil), Department of Dermatology Chanka Medical College/ Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. ** (M.Phil, Ph.D), Faculty of Pharmacy, BZU Multan, Pakistan *** (M.B.B.S, Ph.D Dermatology),
(M.Phil), Department of Dermatology Chanka Medical College/ Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University
Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. **** (M.Phil, Ph.D), Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
***** (M.Phil, Ph.D), Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
Received on : 21-08-2015
Accepted on : 25-11-2015

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(also called complete diet) is used as solvent and Honey
(the natural syrup) as solute to formulate the solution of
this natural formulation. Honey has been mentioned as the
cure of diseases in revolutionary book of skies i.e. Al Quran.
“Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your
Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies
a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for
people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give
thought” 6.
CASE REPORCASE REPOR
CASE REPORCASE REPOR
CASE REPORTT
TT
T
A 15 years juvenile male patient (AB +Ve blood group)
was affected by generalized Vitiligo since the age of 6
years with no familial history of the ailment. No disease
was diagnosed other than Vitiligo since then. He has been
continuing his studies in class 9th and reported the lack of
real interests in studies and felting the sense of inferiority
due to being stigmatic by Vitiligo particularly on face. His
face was near to be totally de-pigmented before the start of
natural remedy (Fig-1, Pictue-A). Other effected body parts
were forearms, elbows, chest and genitalia etc. There was
history of taking Unani, Homeopathic and allopathic treatment
but none was successful in stopping the progression of
Vitiligo. Ointment containing powder form of Psoralia
corylifolia was started but patches testing failed due to the
development of contact dermatitis at day 2. Considering
the profile of the case, it was recommended to keep on
using the natural formulation that contains the mixture of
cow’s milk and honey. Patient was asked to take two table
spoonful of honey per oral mixed with one cup of boiled
milk of cow early in the morning (once a day). Photographs
of the patient were taken at day 1st. Patient continued using
the natural formulation. He was observed and photographs
taken at interval of 60 days initially and 30 days thereafter.
Dramatic improvement and clear observation of re-
pigmentation on face and elbow in 1st follow up meeting
was very encouraging for the patient and the investigator,
therefore the treatment protocol was adopted for next two
follow up with the interval of 30 days each.
White de-pigmented skin was observed to be partially re-
pigmented after 4 months with the reversal of disease
progression (Fig-1) and side effects were not reported with
this natural formulation as elucidated in hemato-biochemical
and serological laboratory investigations at the completion
of trial (Table-1). Measureable change observed from picture
A to B after completion of 1st two months of therapy while
healing was not observed to be accelerated in the same rate
in preceding pictures (Picture-C and Picture D) of the Fig-
1. This might be either due to the change of source of
honey or left over of volunteer from school resulting negative
daily routine of subject that aggravated anxiety symptoms.
DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION
DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
The patient in the current study was juvenile male, therefore
the risk factor was more pronounced in experimental
medicated/herbal trial either oral or topical. However
considering the consisting will of patient and his guardian
after written informed consent, ointment containing powder
form of Psoralia corylifolia was tried and discontinued
NATURAL HERBAL VITILIGO TREATMENT, HONEY
Hemato-Biochaemical and Serological Profile during Treatment:
Haematology Values Biochemistry Values Serology Values
Blood Group AB+VE SGPT (ALT) 16 CRP -VE
Haemoglobin 15.3 Calcium 8.2
(g/dl) (mg/100ml)
TLC 8000
(/cmm)
ESR 4 Total Proteins 6.3
(mm/hour) (gm/dl)
Platelets 261,000
(/cmm)
Neutrophils 76%
(/100 WBC)
Lymphocytes 16%
(/100 WBC)
Monocytes 8%
(/100 WBC)

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immediately due to failure of patch testing. Profile of the
patient let the researcher to think about natural and safer
remedy that based the idea of using the mixture of honey
and milk.
Honey is a natural combination (super saturated solution of
sugar) of vitamins, enzymes, minerals, amino acids, organic
acids 7. Honey contains wide variety of components depending
on the source on which the bees forage. Climatic factors
and vegetation environment can influence on the properties
of Honey. Honey contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates,
polyphenoles and vitamin C etc 8 Honey encompasses highly
complex antibacterial spectrum due to the components of
sugar, low pH, hydrogen per oxide, peptides, there are large
variations in concentrations of these multiple compounds.
For mild to moderate burns, the topical application of honey
potentiates skin growth and healing of wounds 9. Contents
of honey accelerate pigmentation 10. In addition to
carbohydrate, fat, glucose, sucrose and water honey contains
more than 180 substances that depicts its complex nature,
to be used as antibacterial, anti-parasitory, antiviral, anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-mutagenic
effects. Facial Vitiligo has been successfully treated with
the combination of honey, Allium cepa and Avena sativa in
a case study1.
In brief, current formulation is rich in antioxidant, anti-
inflammatory components coupled with abundant nutrients
to nourish the skin into normal position.
CONCLCONCL
CONCLCONCL
CONCLUSION:USION:
USION:USION:
USION:
White patches of Vitiligo were re-pigmented partially and
disease progression was halted within 4 months with the
natural and safer remedy comprised of honey and milk.
Current formulation is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
components coupled with abundant nutrients to nourish the
de-pigmented skin into normal. Further studies, involving
the adult cases and large number of patients are suggested
with same formulation to confirm melanogenic effects of
mixture of milk and honey in generalised Vitiligo.
REFERENCES:REFERENCES:
REFERENCES:REFERENCES:
REFERENCES:
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AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION:
*Principal Investigator/Researcher (Ph.D Trainee)
**Co-Investigator as Co Supervisor
***Co-Investigator as supervisor
****Editing and thorough revision as a Co supervisor
*****Editing and thorough revision as a Co supervisor