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Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

NCT number NCT03783819
Other study ID # 2181-198-03-01-18-0058
Secondary ID
Status Completed
Phase N/A
First received
Last updated
Start date February 4, 2019
Est. completion date March 29, 2019

Study information

Verified date February 2020
Source University of Split, School of Medicine
Contact n/a
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Saint John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) was recognised as a traditional, folk medicine used topically for the treatment of wounds, abrasions, burns, sunburns and inflammatory skin disorders.

Its use in wound healing could be justified with its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and astringent effects. It also stimulated tissue growth and cell differentiation, as one of Hypericum perforatum's main ingredients, hyperforin, was shown to activate TRPC6 channel which had been recognised as an activator of keratinocyte differentiation. Another potentially useful activities could be its inhibitory effects on epidermal Langerhans cells.

Furthermore, in vivo research showed its potential with improved wound healing in different rat models. Finally, several clinical studies were performed testing its effects in atopic dermatitis treatment, wound healing after caesarean section and episiotomy, as well as healing of post-surgical scalp wounds, bed sores and venous ulcers.

The aim of the study will be to determine the effectiveness of ointment containing Hypericum perforatum oil on promoting skin recovery in different human skin damage models on healthy volunteers, in comparison to placebo.

Chosen test sites will be the forearms. One forearm will be treated will the formulation containing Hypericum perforatum oil while the other will be treated with the placebo formulation. Four test sites will be marked on each forearm with skin barrier damage induced on three areas while the fourth will be left intact. Treated forearm and test sites sequence on forearms will be prospectively randomized (double randomization).

First skin damage model used in the trial will be sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) induced irritation. The SLS solution will be placed on the skin of participants under the occlusion for 24 hours. Second model will be the tape-stripping procedure with defined TEWL value set as an endpoint. The final model will be damage by the UV radiation. UV irradiation will be performed under strict conditions with use of the necessary safety equipment. Only the defined test areas will be irradiated with the defined dose of radiation.


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Completed
Enrollment 28
Est. completion date March 29, 2019
Est. primary completion date March 29, 2019
Accepts healthy volunteers Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Gender All
Age group 18 Years to 60 Years
Eligibility Inclusion Criteria:

- young, healthy volunteers who gave written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- skin disease, skin damage on measurement sites

- use of corticosteroids, antihistamines and immunomodulators a month prior the inclusion and during the trial

- use of drugs that may cause photosensitivity

- use of emollients three days prior the inclusion in the trial

- non-adherence to the trial protocol

- exposure to artificial and excessive natural UV radiation

- pregnancy and lactation

- skin cancer

- history of vitiligo, melasma and other pigmentation and photosensitivity disorders

- immunosuppression

- allergic or irritant reactions to the constituents of the two ointments (active and placebo) and similar chemicals (e.g. salicylic and benzoic acid)

Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms

  • Skin Recovery in Different Human Skin Damage Models

Intervention

Other:
Hypericum perforatum oil
Ointment containing Hypericum perforatum oil
Placebo
Ointment containing plant oils used in Hypericum perforatum oil production and dye
Procedure:
SLS induced irritation
60 uL of 1% w/v sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) will be applied to skin under occlusion by large Finn chamber for 24 hours as described in the guidelines by Standardization group of European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Procedure will be performed to specified skin sites, according to randomization protocol.
Tape-stripping
Skin barrier disruption will be induced by tape-stripping. Procedure will be performed to specified skin sites, according to randomization protocol.
UV radiation
UV radiation will be used to induce skin erythema and damage. Procedure will be performed to specified skin sites, according to randomization protocol.
Intact skin
Healthy, intact skin. Procedure will be performed to specified skin sites, according to randomization protocol.

Locations

Country Name City State
Croatia School of Medicine Split

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
University of Split, School of Medicine

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Croatia, 

References & Publications (12)

Davis J, Burr AR, Davis GF, Birnbaumer L, Molkentin JD. A TRPC6-dependent pathway for myofibroblast transdifferentiation and wound healing in vivo. Dev Cell. 2012 Oct 16;23(4):705-15. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2012.08.017. Epub 2012 Sep 27. — View Citation

Hajhashemi M, Ghanbari Z, Movahedi M, Rafieian M, Keivani A, Haghollahi F. The effect of Achillea millefolium and Hypericum perforatum ointments on episiotomy wound healing in primiparous women. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Jan;31(1):63-69. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1275549. Epub 2017 Feb 23. — View Citation

Jaric S, Kostic O, Mataruga Z, Pavlovic D, Pavlovic M, Mitrovic M, Pavlovic P. Traditional wound-healing plants used in the Balkan region (Southeast Europe). J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Jan 30;211:311-328. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.09.018. Epub 2017 Sep 21. Review. — View Citation

Läuchli S, Hafner J, Wehrmann C, French LE, Hunziker T. Post-surgical scalp wounds with exposed bone treated with a plant-derived wound therapeutic. J Wound Care. 2012 May;21(5):228, 230, 232-3. — View Citation

Lavagna SM, Secci D, Chimenti P, Bonsignore L, Ottaviani A, Bizzarri B. Efficacy of Hypericum and Calendula oils in the epithelial reconstruction of surgical wounds in childbirth with caesarean section. Farmaco. 2001 May-Jul;56(5-7):451-3. — View Citation

Samadi S, Khadivzadeh T, Emami A, Moosavi NS, Tafaghodi M, Behnam HR. The effect of Hypericum perforatum on the wound healing and scar of cesarean. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jan;16(1):113-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0317. — View Citation

Schempp CM, Windeck T, Hezel S, Simon JC. Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis with St. John's wort cream--a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind half-side comparison. Phytomedicine. 2003;10 Suppl 4:31-7. — View Citation

Schempp CM, Winghofer B, Lüdtke R, Simon-Haarhaus B, Schöpf E, Simon JC. Topical application of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and of its metabolite hyperforin inhibits the allostimulatory capacity of epidermal cells. Br J Dermatol. 2000 May;142(5):979-84. — View Citation

Süntar IP, Akkol EK, Yilmazer D, Baykal T, Kirmizibekmez H, Alper M, Yesilada E. Investigations on the in vivo wound healing potential of Hypericum perforatum L. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Feb 3;127(2):468-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.10.011. Epub 2009 Oct 13. — View Citation

Thandar Y, Gray A, Botha J, Mosam A. Topical herbal medicines for atopic eczema: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Br J Dermatol. 2017 Feb;176(2):330-343. doi: 10.1111/bjd.14840. Epub 2016 Nov 30. Review. — View Citation

Tupker RA, Willis C, Berardesca E, Lee CH, Fartasch M, Agner T, Serup J. Guidelines on sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) exposure tests. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis. 1997 Aug;37(2):53-69. — View Citation

Wölfle U, Seelinger G, Schempp CM. Topical application of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Planta Med. 2014 Feb;80(2-3):109-20. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1351019. Epub 2013 Nov 8. Review. — View Citation

* Note: There are 12 references in allClick here to view all references

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Transepidermal water loss change Tewameter will be used to assess skin barrier function as a measurement of the water loss (g/hm2). Assessments will be performed on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 11th day of the trial (baseline measurements and change from baseline assessment).
Primary Stratum corneum hydration change Corneometer will be used to estimate skin dryness. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). Assessments will be performed on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 11th day of the trial (baseline measurements and change from baseline assessment).
Primary Erythema change Mexameter will be used to assess erythema. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). Assessments will be performed on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 11th day of the trial (baseline measurements and change from baseline assessment).
Primary Melanin content change Mexameter will be used to assess skin melanin content. It is a relative measurement and uses arbitrary units (AU). Assessments will be performed on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 11th day of the trial (baseline measurements and change from baseline assessment).