A Novel Treatment for Scabies with Herbal Formulation: A Clinical Safety Assessment Study
Abstract
Introduction: Scabies, known as Jarb in Unani medicine, is a parasitic infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. Hominis. It is characterized by intense itching, particularly noted by patients at night. In India, this disease affects over three million people, manifesting as papular or vesicular eruptions accompanied by pruritus. Unani physicians have developed comprehensive treatments for scabies, considering its causative factors and various types.
Methods: This study was conducted as an open-label, single-arm clinical trial involving 75 patients diagnosed with scabies with male female ration of 1:2.7. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of a compound Unani formulation. The test group received a Compound Unani formulation Irtifal Shahtra (Fumaria indica Pugsley) at a dose of 5 grams twice daily, Marham Kharish Jadeed (Lawsonia inermis) for topical application twice daily, and Aab-e-Barg-e-Neem (a decoction of Neem leaves) for washing the affected areas before applying Marham twice daily, for a duration of 15 days. Both subjective and objective parameters were evaluated before and after the treatment period.
Results: In this study, 94% patients reported a significant reduction in itching after using unani formulation for Scabies. Only 5% patients had mild itching at the end of the study. Regarding cure of the lesions, the reduction in mean values from before to after treatment indicates an improvement in skin lesions. P-value less than 0.05 indicate that the results are statistically significant. Objective parameters such as the skin scraping test, demonstrated a significant reduction (p<0.001). Importantly, no adverse effects were observed with the treatment regimen, further highlighting its effectiveness in alleviating scabies symptoms.
Conclusion: This study highlights the safe and effective utilization of Unani formulations in treating one of the most distressing skin disease scabies, without any adverse effects.
Keywords: Scabies, Jarb, Itrifal shahtra, Barg neem, Marham Kharish Jadeed, Classical Pharmacopoeial formulations.
Keywords:
Scabies, Jarb, Itrifal shahtra, Barg neem, Marham Kharish Jadeed, Classical Pharmacopoeial formulationsDOI
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