Low-dose triamcinolone acetonide in the phytocosmetic lichtena reduces inflammation in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

Background: Previously, we reported the efficacy of Lichtena--a phytocosmetic cream product--in atopic dermatitis (AD). Later, fraudulent triamcinolone acetonide (TACA) was detected at low doses (16-40 microg/g) in Lichtena. This suggested that TACA may be effective at much lower concentrations than used in commercial products (1,000 microg/g).

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy in AD of low-dose TACA in Lichtena compared to plain Lichtena.

Methods: Fourteen patients presenting symmetrical lesions of AD were treated for 1 month with Lichtena plus 25 microg/g TACA (= verum) and plain Lichtena (= placebo). The severity of the lesions was assessed by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) on days 0 (= baseline), 7, 14 and 28.

Results: Already after 1 week of treatment, significant SCORAD differences to baseline were observed comparing verum- and placebo-treated areas. No improvement was observed using plain Lichtena.

Conclusions: TACA displayed a significant improvement of AD at doses up to 40 times lower than in commercial products.