Assessing the efficacy and safety of Unani pharmacopoeial formulations in dermatophytosis (quba) - a randomized controlled trial

Drug Metab Pers Ther. 2022 Aug 24;38(2):169-177. doi: 10.1515/dmpt-2022-0125. eCollection 2023 Jun 1.

Abstract

Objectives: The recent trends of rising unresponsive cases of dermatophytosis to conventional therapies pose a challenge in clinical practice. Unani medicine offers effective treatment for dermatophytosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Unani herbo-mineral preparations Qurs-e-Asfar (QA) and Rogan-e-Narjeel (RN) in dermatophytosis.

Methods: This was a randomized, active-controlled and open-label clinical study. The participants diagnosed with dermatophytosis (n=78) randomized into treatment group (n=40) receiving oral QA (778 mg twice a day) and topical RN and control group (n=38) receiving oral Itraconazole (100 mg/day) and topical Terbinafine hydrochloride (1%) for 6 weeks.

Results: We found post-treatment improvement in itching by 86.3% vs. 78% (treatment vs. control group), erythema by 96.4% vs. 94.3%, scaling by 93% vs. 92.2% and peripheral raised margins by 82.3% vs. 81%. Furthermore, this study showed that the differences in the mean Total Signs and Symptoms Score (TSSS) and positive KOH mount were clinically and statistically significant (p<0.05) in both the groups. On comparing inter group, the differences in mean TSSS (p=0.07) and positive KOH mount (p=0.717) were found statistically insignificant.

Conclusions: This study concludes that the formulations QA and RN were effective and safe in the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Keywords: Quba; Qurs-e-Asfar; Rogan-e-Narjeel; Unani formulations; dermatophytosis.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Pruritus / drug therapy
  • Terbinafine / adverse effects
  • Tinea* / diagnosis
  • Tinea* / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Terbinafine

Associated data

  • CTRI/CTRI/2020/04/024765