Treatment of venous ulcers with the herbal-based ointment Herbadermal®: a prospective non-randomized pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Venous ulcers (ulcus cruris venosum) are a common chronic disease that requires continuing treatment and significantly influences a patient's way of life. The therapeutic effects of the ointment Herbadermal on epithelialization and microbial flora of venous ulcers in 25 patients (10 men and 15 women) were tested over a 7-week period. The major components of the ointment are extracts of garlic, St. John's wort, and calendula.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The patients were over 18 years of age, with ulceration of the lower leg no longer than 2 months or recurrent ulceration during the last 6 months. The involved patients did not use any other phytomedicines or supportive therapies. Parameters were evaluated before the treatment and every 2 weeks during the period of 7 weeks. The total treatment response was evaluated on the basis of epithelialization, granulation, fibrin deposits, exudation, and edema.

RESULTS:

The percentage of epithelialization was 99.1% after 7 weeks, without significant effects on the microbial flora.

CONCLUSION:

This combination of extracts can be recommended as topical treatment for wound healing because of its epithelizing, anti-erythematous, and anti-edematous properties.

• Authors: Tatjana Kundaković, Marina Milenković, Saša Zlatković, Vesna Nikolić, Goran Nikolić, Ivana Binić
• Journal: Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006) (Forsch Komplementmed) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 26-30 ( 2012) ISSN: 1661-4127 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 22398923 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Ointments
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Aged
• Calendula (chemistry)
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Garlic (chemistry)
• Humans
• Hypericum (chemistry)
• Male
• Ointments (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Varicose Ulcer (microbiology, therapy)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)