Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, itchy dermatosis of multifactorial origin, which commonly starts in childhood. Defective metabolism of essential fatty acids leading to relative dominance of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2) has been reported as an important factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Evening primrose oil (EPO) as a source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been of interest in the management of AD.

AIM:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EPO in atopic dermatitis in our patients.

METHODS:

Consecutive new out-patient department (OPD) patients of a referral hospital in Kolkata clinically diagnosed as having AD were randomly allocated to two groups. To the first group, evening primrose oil was supplied as 500-mg oval clear unmarked capsules, while placebo capsules identical in appearance and containing 300 mg of sunflower oil were given to the other group. Treatment continued for a period of 5 months. With pre-designed scoring system (based on four major parameters: extent, intensity, itching, and dryness), clinical evaluation was done at baseline and subsequent monthly visits. Data of the first 25 patients from each group who completed the 5 months of trial were compiled and analyzed.

RESULTS:

At the end of the fifth month, 24 (96%) patients of EPO group and 8 (32%) patients of placebo group showed improvement. There was significant difference in outcome of treatment between two groups (P<0.00001). No significant adverse effect was reported by any patient/guardian at any point of assessment.

CONCLUSION:

Evening primrose oil is a safe and effective medicine in management of AD. However, since not all researchers across the world have found the same good result, further large trials on Indian patients are needed.

• Authors: Swapan Senapati, Sabyasachi Banerjee, Dwijendra Nath Gangopadhyay
• Journal: Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol) 2008 Sep-Oct Vol. 74 Issue 5 Pg. 447-52 ISSN: 0973-3922 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19052401 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
• Linoleic Acids
• Plant Oils
• evening primrose oil
• gamma-Linolenic Acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dermatitis, Atopic (drug therapy, pathology)
• Dietary Fats, Unsaturated (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Linoleic Acids (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oenothera biennis
• Plant Oils (therapeutic use)
• Young Adult
• gamma-Linolenic Acid (therapeutic use)