Therapieergebnisse und Anwendungssicherheit von Symphytum-Herba-Extrakt-Creme in der Behandlung von Dekubitus

Abstract

In an open, prospective use study, 161 patients with 198 decubitus ulcers (pressure ulcers, ITT population) in stages II and III were treated with the topical preparation symphytum herb extract cream. The bandages with the cream were changed every 2-3 days. The primary parameters evaluated were the area of the sore and the depth of the wound (planimetrically in mm). In all, 151 patients with a total of 184 pressure sores (PP population) were included and received treatment over a period of 4 weeks in order to evaluate the treatment results. Complete healing of the pressure sores within 4 weeks was observed in 85.9 % (PP population)/79.8 % (ITT population) of the treated ulcers. Over a treatment duration of 25-30 days, a 89.2 % reduction of the total decubitus area was observed. The same result was found for the depth of the pressure ulcer with a reduction of 88 %. The overall treatment success was from both the perspective of the physician and the patient considered successful in 90.4 % (5-point scale) of cases and 87.9% (100 mm VAS, PP population). Two cases of local irritation were observed after 25/30 days (1.2 % of the patients with exposure), thus showing very good skin compatibility. The efficacy of symphytum herb extract cream is surprisingly good in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Symphytum Species: A Comprehensive Review on Chemical Composition, Food Applications and Phytopharmacology

“…Only two cases of local irritation were stated post-treatment period. Therefore, this study confirmed that comfrey extract is highly effective in pressure ulcers treatment and also it shows excellent skin compatibility in the case of open sores [163]. However, taking into consideration the general rule, more human studies are needed to justify both the efficacy and safety of comfrey extracts in treating skin problems.…”

Evidence for Natural Products as Alternative Wound-Healing Therapies

“…A study by Stepan et al (2013) assessed the potential of Symphytum Herba extract cream on pressure ulcers, decubitus bedsores, with bandages containing the cream changed every 2–3 days. All ulcers in this study were treated with Symphytum Herba extract cream, with no inclusion of an untreated control group [ 51 ]. Symphytum Herba extract cream is said to contain Symphytum × uplandicum Nyman, with allantoin reported as one of the major components responsible for the pharmacological effects, with the chemical structure depicted in Figure 5 ; it is typically referred to as Comfrey and is a perennial plant [ 51 , 52 ].…”

“…All ulcers in this study were treated with Symphytum Herba extract cream, with no inclusion of an untreated control group [ 51 ]. Symphytum Herba extract cream is said to contain Symphytum × uplandicum Nyman, with allantoin reported as one of the major components responsible for the pharmacological effects, with the chemical structure depicted in Figure 5 ; it is typically referred to as Comfrey and is a perennial plant [ 51 , 52 ]. The study had a large patient cohort, consisting of 151 participants involved in the study until its completion, with 184 pressure ulcers present across the participants.…”

“…It is noted that the wounds were disinfected at each bandage change, which could contribute to the efficacy of Symphytum Herba extract cream on the wounds. However, the high rate of successful wound repair shows great promise, along with the minimal incidence of skin sensitivity from application of Symphytum Herba extract cream, with only 1.2% of patients demonstrating local irritation [ 51 ].…”

Zur Wirksamkeit von Symphytum officinale

“…Ärzte und Patienten stuften den Behandlungserfolg gemessen an einer verbalen Rating-Skala 0-4 zu 90 % und an einer visuellen Analogskala 0-100 zu 88 % als erfolgreich ein (PP-Kollektiv). Bei 2 Patienten kam es zu einer lokalen Hautreizung [43].…”