Case series in patients with zoster-associated pain using Mangifera indica L. extract.

Background: Neuroimmune activation has been proposed as a source of new targets for therapeutic intervention in neuropathic pain. Vimang® is an aqueous extract from Mangifera indica L. (common mango) that is traditionally used in Cuba for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties. In the present case report, we determine its potential effects in patients with zoster-associated pain.

Patients And Methods: 12 patients with zoster-associated pain (6 with subacute herpetic neuralgia and 6 with post-herpetic neuralgia) received a daily dose of 1,800 mg of extract (2 coated 300 mg tablets, 3 times daily before meals) together with low doses of amitriptyline (10-25 mg/day) for 120 days. In addition to the tablets, patients used Vimang® cream 1.2% as a topical agent. The average daily pain score using the Likert scale, area and rate of dynamic allodynia, rate of thermal allodynia, and frequency of burning spontaneous pain were evaluated.

Results: Pain scores and sensory abnormalities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with respect to baseline data from week 4. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: These results suggest that Vimang® could be beneficial in the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, a controlled clinical trial is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.