In this study, we investigated the effect of prednicarbate, mometasone furoate and betamethasone 17-valerate on total skin thickness over a treatment period of 6 weeks. The study was conducted as a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial with a confirmatory approach. The influence of these drugs on healthy human skin under non-occlusive conditions was assessed by measuring total skin thickness and epidermal thickness using 20 and 50 MHz sonography, respectively. Epidermal surface structure was evaluated using profilometry. Visual assessment addressed signs of atrophy and formation of telangiectasia. The reduction of total skin thickness induced by prednicarbate was clearly less than that caused by betamethasone 17-valerate and mometasone furoate. Prednicarbate led to a higher degree of skin thinning than vehicle. For technical reasons, epidermal thickness could not be reliably evaluated with 50 MHz sonography. Profilometry did not demonstrate any differences between treatments. Visible signs of atrophy or telangiectasia were detected in two subjects each upon betamethasone 17-valerate and mometasone furoate, but not upon prednicarbate or its vehicle. Prednicarbate is a topical glucocorticoid with an improved benefit/risk ratio, as it causes less skin atrophy than the equipotent betamethasone 17-valerate.

No abstract

Background: Although Hamamelis virginiana has long been used in the traditional treatment of skin diseases, there are few controlled clinical studies defining the extent of its anti-inflammatory action. Objective:The anti-inflammatory efficacy of pH5 Eucerin aftersun lotion with 10% hamamelis distillate, the vehicle and a prior aftersun formulation were tested in 30 healthy volunteers using a modified UVB erythema test as model of inflammation. Methods: Four UVB doses ranging from 1 to 2 MED were evaluated in each subject. Test fields on the back were treated occlusively for 48 h following irradiation. Chromametry and visual scoring were used to determine the degree of erythema in the treated fields and an untreated, irradiated control field 7, 24 and 48 h after irradiation. Results: Erythema suppression ranged from approximately 20% at 7 h to 27% at 48 h in the hamamelis fields. A suppression of 11–15% was recorded in the fields treated with the other lotions. Significant differences were noted between hamamelis and these lotions. Conclusion: These data provide evidence for an anti-inflammatory action of the aftersun lotion with 10% hamamelis and support the usefulness of the UVB erythema test with multiple UV doses for the testing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

In 40 volunteers the efficacy of three lotions with 10% hamamelis distillates from different suppliers, two vehicles, dimethindene maleate 0.1% gel, hydrocortisone 1% cream and hydrocortisone 0.25% lotion were investigated in a modified UV erythema test with three UV dosages (1.2, 1.4 and 1.7 MED). The test preparations were applied occlusively over a 48-hour period following irradiation. Chromametric measurement of redness and visual assessment were performed 24, 48 and 72 h after induction of erythema. The hydrocortisone formulations were most effective in erythema suppression. An anti- inflammatory effect was noted for all three hamamelis lotions as well as for the vehicles. A significantly greater suppression of erythema than seen with the vehicles was noted for one of the hamamelis lotions at 1.4 MED. The efficacy of the antihistamine dimethindene maleate did not surpass the hamamelis lotions or the vehicles. Even though the differences between the hamamelis lotions were slight, it was possible to make an objective selection of the best hamamelis distillate for aftersun purposes.

These results indicate a lack of effect of topical fulvestrant in the treatment of subjects with androgenetic alopecia. The reasons for this lack of effect remain unclear.