Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39710951›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025

Clinical Trials Conducted on Herbal Remedies for the Treatment of Melasma: A Scoping Review.

Mohammad Mahdi Parvizi, Maryam Hekmat, Nahid Yousefi, Rojan Javaheri, Arman Mehrzadeh, Nasrin Saki

Abstract readScoping Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mohammad Mahdi ParviziMolecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1856-945X
Maryam HekmatDepartment of Dermatology, Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Nahid YousefiStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Rojan JavaheriStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Arman MehrzadehStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7591-5610
Nasrin SakiDepartment of Dermatology, Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Funding

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 22633
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMelasma, also known as chloasma, is a common skin disorder characterized by acquired hyperpigmentation. Many patients with this condition prefer using herbal remedies instead of chemical agents. This study aims to review clinical trials conducted on the effectiveness of herbal remedies in treating melasma.

methodsIn this scoping review, we searched the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, SID, and Magiran databases until August 2024. We designed the search strategy using MeSH database keywords "melanosis," "herbal medicine," "plant extracts," "complementary therapies," "traditional medicine," "Persian medicine," "clinical trials," and their Entry Terms. We then reviewed and summarized the relevant articles.

resultsWe found a total of 21 clinical trials examining the effectiveness of herbal remedies in treating melasma. The literature review revealed that licorice, rhubarb, a mixture of melon seed and chickpea, sorrel, Aloe vera leaf gel, parsley, tomato, fern, olive, pine bark, and Indian gooseberry had positive effects in treating melasma. Licorice is the most extensively studied herbal remedy for melasma treatment. Some patients who used licorice, rhubarb, and parsley experienced redness and skin allergies.

conclusionFew studies have evaluated the effectiveness of herbal remedies in treating melasma. Further research, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, is necessary to assess the efficacy of herbal remedies and natural products, as well as their potential adverse effects.

Indexed as

MelanosisPhytotherapyPlant ExtractsPlant PreparationsClinical Trials as TopicHumansTreatment OutcomePlant ExtractsPlant Preparationsclinical trialcomplementary therapiesherbal medicinemelanosisPersian medicinereview

Identifiers

PMID39710951
PMCPMC11837239

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.