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Effect of oral administration of Triphala, a polyphenol-rich prebiotic, on scalp sebum in patients with scalp seborrhea a randomized clinical trial.

  • 2020-10-20
  • The Journal of dermatological treatment 33(2)
    • Elham Zareie
    • Parvin Mansouri
    • Hamed Hosseini
    • Omid Sadeghpour
    • Laila Shirbeigi
    • Someyeh Hejazi
    • Majid Emtiazy

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
participants with scalp seborrhea aged 14-50 years
Methods
8 week patient and outcome assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled trial; 1 g of Triphala or placebo BID
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
8 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

Although there are various therapeutic options to control oily skin, they have potential side effects and limitations especially in long-term use. Pre/probiotics may have beneficial effects in atopic dermatitis' acne, dandruff, and seborrhea, demonstrated by some clinical trials. This trial conducted to determine whether the herbal prebiotic Triphala is effective in reducing scalp sebum secretion in patients with scalp seborrhea.

Methods

In this 8 week patient and outcome assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled trial participants with scalp seborrhea aged 14-50 years were randomized to Triphala or placebo groups. 1 g of Triphala (standardized as 91.82 ± 0.5 mg gallic acid) or placebo (wheat flour) were administered BID. Scalp sebum levels were detected objectively using Sebumeter® sm 815, and treatment satisfaction was measured using a score between 0 and 100. [Registration no. IRCT2014070218332N1].

Results

Eighty patients completed the study (40 in Triphala group and 40 in placebo group). Participants in the Triphala group experienced 25.34 scores (95% CI, 0.39-50.29: p = .047) more improvement in scalp sebum levels compared with the placebo group. The mean percentage of patients' satisfaction was 37.91 (24.88) in the Triphala group and 17.89 (25.80) in the placebo group (p = .001).

Conclusion

Herbal prebiotic Triphala significantly reduced scalp sebum scores compared to placebo.

Research Insights

  • Triphala→Improved Treatment Satisfaction

    The mean percentage of patients' satisfaction was 37.91 (24.88) in the Triphala group and 17.89 (25.80) in the placebo group (p = .001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    1 g BID (standardized as 91.82 ± 0.5 mg gallic acid)
  • Triphala→Reduced Scalp Sebum Level

    Participants in the Triphala group experienced 25.34 scores (95% CI, 0.39-50.29: p = .047) more improvement in scalp sebum levels compared with the placebo group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1 g BID (standardized as 91.82 ± 0.5 mg gallic acid)
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