Trial reportJournal of cosmetic dermatology2019
A cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma.
Trial report in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 34 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of formulations for treating hyperpigmentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of dermatological research · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy and Safety of Topical Application of Plant-Based Products on Skin Aging in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy and Safety of Topical Therapy With Botanical Products for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Frontiers in medicine · 2021Pooled it
- Effectiveness and Safety of Combined Use of Home-Based Radiofrequency Device and Arbutin Cream in Melasma and Facial Rejuvenation.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Trial
- A cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2019Trial
- A Scoping Review on Melasma Treatments and Their Histopathologic Correlates.Dermatopathology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- A real-world study to observe the efficacy and safety of Lutai Danshen Baishao Granules for improving melasma.Medicine · 2025Observational
- Clinical Trials Conducted on Herbal Remedies for the Treatment of Melasma: A Scoping Review.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Article
- An Update on New and Existing Treatments for the Management of Melasma.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2024Review
- Article
- Comparison of the efficacy of Hydroquinone cream versus Hydroquinone cream plus Danggui Shaoyao powder in the treatment of melasma.Postepy dermatologii i alergologii · 2024Article
- Different therapeutic approaches in melasma: advances and limitations.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2024Review
- Article
- Article
- Source-dependent variation in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of Prinsepia utilis Royle fruits.Environmental monitoring and assessment · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMelasma is an acquired, common hyperpigmented disorder on the face. While many therapeutic approaches are available, their efficacy is moderate.
objectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of a cream containing herbal mixture for melasma.
methodsA total of 90 volunteers with melasma were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study, and they were randomly divided into three groups (A, B, and C). Patients in group A were treated with a cream containing herbal mixture, while groups B and C were treated with arbutin cream and placebo, respectively, twice daily for 12 weeks. Melasma area and severity index (MASI) score, melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI), changes in density of inflammatory cells, and adverse events were evaluated every 4 weeks.
resultsAlthough MASI scores declined significantly in both groups A and B (P < 0.05), a greater reduction was seen in group A (13.00-9.82 = 3.18 for group A; 12.65-10.84 = 1.81 for group B). Moreover, the cream containing herbal mixture, but not arbutin cream and placebo, significantly reduced EI and density of inflammatory cells after 12-week treatment (P < 0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in either group A or group C. In group B, two subjects experienced mild erythema and itching, which disappeared after stop using the arbutin cream.
conclusionThe cream containing herbal mixture is safe and effective for melasma.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.