Herbal drugs used to treat skin diseases

Human skin, the outer covering of the body, is the largest organ in the body. It also constitutes the first line of defense. Skin is divided into three main layers. Each layer provides a distinct role in the overall function of the skin.

They are -

• Epidermis

• Dermis

• Hypodermis

Epidermis, the outer most layer of the skin, varies in thickness in different regions of the body. It is the thinnest on the eyelids (0.05 mm) and the thickest on the palms and soles (1.5 mm).

The dermis layer varies in thickness depending on the location of the skin. It is 0.3 mm on the eyelid and 3.0 mm on the back of the body. The dermis is attached to an underlying hypodermis or subcutaneous connective tissue.

The subcutaneous tissue is a layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves. This layer is important in the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person-to-person.

The skin guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. There are two general types of skin, hairy and glabrous skin. However, the skin can be dry, sensitive, pale, sagging or tired. People deficient in essential nutrients such as beta-carotene, the B complex vitamins and vitamins C and E often suffer from the drying of the skin.

Common skin problems

Skin disease affects all ages from the neonate to the elderly and cause harm in number of ways. There are more than a thousand conditions that may affect the skin but most skin diseases can be categorized by

• Viral infections

• Bacterial infections

• Rashes

• Fungal infections

• Parasitic infections

• Trauma

• Other conditions like Wrinkles, rosacea, spider veins and varicose veins

Some of the herbal drugs for skin diseases

Natural drugs from the plants are gaining popularity because of several advantages such as often having fewer side-effects, better patient tolerance, being relatively less expensive and acceptable due to a long history of use.

A. sativum (Common name: Garlic; Family: Liliaceae)

In a study conducted on Swiss albino mice in whom cancer was induced by 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) revealed that best chemo preventive action of garlic was observed in mice in which garlic treatment was performed before and after the induction of skin carcinogenesis. Garlic ingestion delayed formation of skin papillomas in animals and simultaneously decreased the size and number of papillomas, which was also reflected in the skin histology of the treated mice. The protective effect against skin cancer elicited by garlic in mice is believed to be due at least in part to the induction of cellular defense systems.

Allium cepa (Common name: Onion; Family: Liliacea)

A study undertaken in patients with seborrheic keratoses to evaluate the ability of onion extract gel to improve the appearance of scars following excision, has shown that this extract gel improved scar softness, redness, texture and global appearance at the excision site at study weeks 4, 6 and 10 as assessed by the blinded investigator.

In another study, the antifungal activity of aqueous extracts prepared from A. cepa (onion; AOE) and Allium sativum (garlic; AGE) were evaluated against Malassezia furfur, Candida albicans, other Candida sp. As well as 35 strains of various dermatophyte species. The results indicated that onion and garlic might be promising in treatment of fungal-associated diseases from important pathogenic genera like Candida, Malassezia and the dermatophytes.

Aloe Vera (Common name: Barbados aloe; Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae)

Aloe vera has shown very good results in skin diseases and it is often taken as health drink. It is also found effective in treating wrinkles, stretch marks and pigmentations. It also seems to be able to speed wound healing by improving blood circulation through the area and preventing cell death around a wound. The gel has properties that are harmful to certain types of bacteria and fungi. A cream containing 0.5% aloe for 4 weeks reduced the skin “plaques” associated with psoriasis. Application of gel helped in the improvement of partial thickness burns. When applied to the skin, the gel seems to help skin survive frostbite injury. It might delay the appearance of skin damage during and after radiation treatment.

Cannabis sativus (Common name: Charas, Ganja; Family: Cannabinaceae)

The powder of the leaves serves as a dressing for wounds and sores. Ganja is externally applied to relieve pain in itchy skin diseases. Hemp seed oil is useful for treatment of eczema and host of other skin diseases like dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis/cradle cap, varicose eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus and acne roseacea. By using hemp seed oil, the skin is strengthened and made better able to resist bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Crushed leaves are rubbed on the affected areas to control scabies.

Crocus sativus (Common name: Saffron; Family: Iridaceae)

Saffron is a naturally derived plant product that acts as an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, carminative, emmenagogic and sedative. The chemopreventive effect of aqueous saffron on chemically induced skin carcinogenesis using a histopathological approach was studied. Its ingestion inhibited the formation of skin papillomas in animals and simultaneously reduced their size. Saffron inhibited DMBA-induced skin carcinoma in mice when treated early. This may be due, at least in part, to the induction of cellular defense systems. It has also been found useful in treatment of psoriasis.

Azadirachta indica (Common name: Neem; Family: Meliaceae)

Leaf extract is applied externally on boils and blisters. In one study, skin tumors were induced in mice by topical application of DMBA followed by TPA as a promoter.

Study designed to determine the modulatory effect of aqueous AAILE on cell cycle-associated proteins during two-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice in which skin tumors were induced by topical application of DMBA as a carcinogen followed by the repetitive application of TPA as a promoter. Skin tumors obtained in the DMBA/TPA group exhibited enhanced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, index of proliferation), p21 and cyclin D1, with no alterations in p53 expression in comparison to the control group. Tumors in AAILE + DMBA/TPA group exhibited low PCNA and cyclin D1 expression and enhanced expression of p53 and p21 in comparison to the DMBA/TPA group. The skin tumors obtained in the AAILE + DMBA/TPA group exhibited high lipid peroxidation levels in comparison to the tumors obtained in the DMBA/TPA group. The observations of the study suggested that AAILE behaves as a pro-oxidant in the tumors, thereby rendering them susceptible to damage, which eventually culminates into its anti-neoplastic action. Also, cell cycle regulatory proteins may be modulated by AAILE and could affect the progression of cells through the cell cycle.

Camellia sinensis (Common name: Green tea, Chaay; Family: Theaceae)

Green tea comes from the tea plant C. sinensis and may play a beneficial role in treatment of skin tumours and cancer. It contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in the body. A specific polyphenol in Green tea called epigallocatechin gallate, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, has been reported to prevent the onset of further growth of skin tumor in the body. It can rejuvenate old skin cells to start reproducing again, keeping the skin younger looking.

Daucus carota (Common name: Carrot; Family: Apiaceae)

A study, conducted to investigate the chemopreventive effects of oil extract of D. carota umbels on DMBA-induced skin cancer in mice for 20 weeks, revealed significant reduction in tumor incidence following administration via intraperitonial (0.3 ml of 2% oil) and topical (0.2 ml of 5, 50 and 100% oil) but least with gavage (0. .02 ml of 100% oil).

Lycopersicon esculentum (Common name: Tomato; Family: Solanaceae)

A study conducted on healthy human volunteers using tomato paste, providing approximately 16 mg/d of lycopene, ingested with 10 g of olive oil over a period of 10 weeks has revealed that it is feasible to achieve protection against UV light-induced erythema by ingestion of a commonly consumed dietary source of lycopene.

Another study conducted in healthy human volunteers using 55 g of tomato paste containing 16 mg of lycopene ingested with olive oil, also revealed that tomato paste containing lycopene provides protection against acute and potentially longer-term aspects of photo damage.02 ml of 100% oil).

Lavendula officinalis (Common name: Lavender; Family: Labiatae)

The effects of lavender oil (1:500, 1:100, 1:10, 1:1, 1:0) on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in mice and rats have been studied. It has been reported to inhibit concentration-dependently the histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells. It also inhibits immediate-type allergic reactions by inhibition of mast cell degranulation in vivo and in vitro when tested on mice and rats.

Calendula officinalis (Common name: Marigold; Family: Asteraceae)

The flowers of marigold have long been employed in folk therapy and more than 35 properties have been attributed to decoctions and tinctures from the flowers. The main uses are as remedies for burns (including sunburns), bruises and cutaneous and internal inflammatory diseases of several origins. Research conducted on cream preparations containing seven different types of marigold and rosemary extracts, revealed that such creams are effective in experimentally induced irritant contact dermatitis when tested on healthy human volunteers.

Mangifera indica (Common name: Mango; Family: Anacardiaceae)

The gum is used in dressings for cracked feet and for scabies. Latex is applied to cure ulcers. Aqueous extract of stem-bark produced a dose-dependent and significant anti-inflammatory effect against fresh egg albumin-induced paw edema in rats.

Sarco asoca (Common name: Ashoka; Family: Caesalpinaceae)

Paste of the roots is useful in freckles and external inflammations, ulcers and skin diseases. It is used for itching in eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and herpes-kushta/visarpa by rubbing the crushed flower on the skin. It is a favorite herb to relieve pruritis, scabies and tinea pedis. 50 g of the dried flowers of S. asoca and the leaves of L. inermis are boiled in coconut oil and the extract is externally applied twice a day to treat eczema and scabies. A study revealed that pretreatment with the flavanoid fraction of S. asoca caused significant reduction in the number of tumors per mouse and the percentage of tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the latency period for the appearance of the first tumor was delayed by S. asoca pretreatment. A significant reduction in the expression of ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in the promotion stage of 2-stage skin cancer, in the plant-treated group was also observed suggesting the chemopreventive activity of flavonoids from S. asoca on 2-stage skin carcinogenesis.

Curcuma longa (Common name: Turmeric; Family: Zingiberaceae)

A study conducted on male Swiss albino mice in whom skin cancer was induced by topical application of DMBA, revealed a significant reduction in number of tumors per mouse in the group receiving 1% curcumin obtained from rhizomes of C. longa.

Lawsonia inermis (Common name: Henna; Family: Lythraceae)

Henna is a traditionally used plant of Middle-East that is applied on hands and feet. In the traditional system of medicine, leaf paste is applied twice a day, on the affected parts to cure impetigo. In a study, clinical improvement in the patients suffering from hand and foot disease due to use of capecitabine, an anti-cancer drug, with use of henna revealed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects of henna.

Thyme vulgaris (Common name: Thyme; Family: Lamiaceae)

It may relieve the symptoms of cellulitis, an infection of the skin caused by bacteria which can lead to pain, tenderness, edema, fever, chills and reddening of the skin. It may also offer anti-fungal and antibacterial benefits. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center cautions that thyme has not been proven to specifically benefit cellulitis. In addition, this herb may raise the risk of bleeding.

Brassica oleraceae (Common name: Red Cabbage; Family: Brassicaceae)

Significant reduction of tumors was observed in mice in whom skin cancer was induced by a single topical application of 200 nmol of the initiator DMBA to their backs, followed 1 week later by promotion with 10 nmol of TPA twice weekly for 30 weeks followed by 0.1 g/L of aqueous extract of B. oleraceae 1 week after administration of initiator.

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