Atopic eczema and some useful plant medicines

+Natural health
In print
Education

Atopic eczema and some useful plant medicines

Phil Rasmussen

Woman scratching arm
A large number of plant preparations are used for atopic eczema [Image: iStock.com – RealPeopleGroup]

Pharmacist and medical herbalist Phil Rasmussen discusses factors implicated in eczema, gives an overview of conventional treatments, and looks at various herbal therapies from different origins, including New Zealand, for this often-debilitating skin condition

A surge in hand dermatitis took place during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased usage of soaps and sanitisers Eczema is a common skin problem
References

1. Mahesh PA, Moitra S, Mabalirajan U, et al. Allergic diseases in India – prevalence, risk factors and current challenges. Clin Exp Allergy 2023;53(3):276–94.

2. Fadadu RP, Abuabara K, Balmes JR, et al. Air pollution and atopic dermatitis, from molecular mechanisms to population-level evidence: a review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023;20(3):2526.

3. Nicholas-Haizelden K, Murphy B, et al. Bioprospecting the skin microbiome: advances in therapeutics and personal care products. Microorganisms 2023;11(8):1899.

4. Ahmed ZH, Agarwal K, Sarkar R. Hand dermatitis: a comprehensive review with special emphasis on COVID-19 pandemic. Indian J Dermatol 2021;66(5):508–19.

5. Lai A, Owens K, Patel S, Nicholas M. The impact of air pollution on atopic dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023;23(8):435–42.

6. Kim J, Kim H, Lim D, et al. Effects of indoor air pollutants on atopic dermatitis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(12):1220.

7. Chatrath S, LeBovidge J, Jack C, et al. Mental health interventions for atopic dermatitis: knowledge gaps, pilot programs, and future directions. Clin Exp Dermatol 2023; 14 September online.

8. McPherson T, Ravenscroft J, Ali R, et al. British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology assessment and support of mental health in children and young people with skin conditions: a multidisciplinary expert consensus statement and recommendations. Br J Dermatol 2023;189(4):459–66.

9. Kanjee D. Customer care: Eczema. Pharmacy Today, October 2023.

10. Olbrich H, Sadik CD, Ludwig RJ, et al. Dupilumab in inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review. Biomolecules 2023;13(4):634.

11. Bashrahil B, Alzahrani Z, Samarkandy S, et al. The efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab monotherapy for the management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023;9:1091271.

12. Buhl T, Werfel T. Atopic dermatitis – perspectives and unmet medical needs. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023;21(4):349–53.

13. Ho JSS, Molin S. A review of existing and new treatments for the management of hand eczema. J Cutan Med Surg 2023; 27 July online.

14. Li YX, Li N, Li JJ, et al. New seco-anthraquinone glucoside from the roots of Rumex crispus. Nat Prod Bioprospect 2022;12(1):29.

15. Chan YS, Cheng LN, Wu JH, et al. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology 2011;19(5):245–54.

16. Moro TMA, T P S Clerici M. Burdock (Arctium lappa L) roots as a source of inulin-type fructans and other bioactive compounds: current knowledge and future perspectives for food and non-food applications. Food Res Int 2021;141:109889.

17. Kim YK, Koppula S, Shim DW, et al. Inhibitory effect and mechanism of Arctium lappa extract on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018;2018:6346734.

18. de Almeida AB, Sánchez-Hidalgo M, Martín AR, et al. Anti-inflammatory intestinal activity of Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) in TNBS colitis model. J Ethnopharmacol 2013;146(1):300–10.

19. Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Ghoreishi MR. The treatment of atopic dermatitis with licorice gel. J Dermatolog Treat 2003;14(3):153–57.

20. Angelova-Fischer I, Neufang G, Jung K, et al. A randomized, investigator-blinded efficacy assessment study of stand-alone emollient use in mild to moderately severe atopic dermatitis flares. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014;28 Suppl 3:9–15.

21. Rasmussen P. Echinacea: A plant with deep roots and a big reputation. Pharmacy Today, October 2021.

22. Oláh A, Szabó-Papp J, Soeberdt M, et al. Echinacea purpurea-derived alkylamides exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects and alleviate clinical symptoms of atopic eczema. J Dermatol Sci 2017;88(1):67–77.

23. Williamson EM (ed). Potter’s Herbal Cyclopaedia. Saffron Walden, Essex, UK: CW Daniel Co Ltd; 2003.

24. Ki NY, Park EJ, Sung Is, et al. The hot-water Extract of Smilacis Chinae Rhizome suppresses 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice. Phytother Res 2016;30(4):636–45.

25. Wang W, Wang Y, Zou J, et al. The mechanism action of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in the treatment of eczema: based on dose-effect weight coefficient network pharmacology. Front Pharmacol 2021;12:706836.

26. Kloter E, Albanese F, Schweighoffer R, Wolf U. Phytotherapy in paediatric skin disorders – a systematic literature review. Complement Ther Med 2023;74:102942.

27. Donsky H, Clarke D. Reliéva, a Mahonia aquifolium extract for the treatment of adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Am J Ther 2007;14(5):442–46.

28. Latchman Y, Whittle B, Rustin M, et al. The efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in atopic eczema. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1994;104(3):222–26.

29. Xu XJ, Banerjee P, Rustin MH, Poulter LW. Modulation by Chinese herbal therapy of immune mechanisms in the skin of patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1997;136(1):54–59.

30. Harper J. Traditional Chinese medicine for eczema. BMJ 1994;308(6927):489–90.

31. Buck C. Effective eczema treatment side-lined with loss of patient choice. Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, September 2020.

32. Cai X, Sun X, Liu L, et al. Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic dermatitis: evidence from eight high-quality randomized placebo-controlled trials. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:927304.

33. Wang MC, Chou YT, Kao MC, et al. Topical Chinese herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema): a systematic review and meta-analysis with core herbs exploration. J Ethnopharmacol 2023;317:116790.

34. Li JJ, Zhang X, Shen XC, et al. Phytochemistry and biological properties of isoprenoid flavonoids from Sophora flavescens Ait. Fitoterapia 2020;143:104556.

35. Meshram GG, Kumar A, Rizvi W, et al. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Albizzia lebbeck in rats. J Tradit Complement Med 2015;6(2):172–75.

36. Venkatesh P, Mukherjee PK, Kumar NS, et al. Anti-allergic activity of standardized extract of Albizia lebbeck with reference to catechin as a phytomarker. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2010;32(2):272–76.

37. Yoshioka Y, Kamata Y, Tominag, M, et al. Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis induces semaphorin 3A production in human epidermal keratinocytes. PloS One 2021;16(4):e0250663.

38. Wang L, Xian YF, Loo S, et al. Baicalin ameliorates 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice through modulating skin barrier function, gut microbiota and JAK/STAT pathway. Bioorganic Chemistry 2022;119:105538.

39. Sung YY, Yoon T, Jang JY, et al. Topical application of Rehmannia glutinosa extract inhibits mite allergen-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2011;134(1):37– 44.

40. Pérez-Narváez OA, Castillo Hernández S SL, Leos-Rivas C, et al. Antibacterial effect of ethanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa L. Jacq. and Mammea americana L. against Staphylococci isolated from skin lesions. Biomed Res Int 2023;2023:5584412.

41. Shortt N, Martin A, Kerse K, et al. Efficacy of a 3% Kānuka oil cream for the treatment of moderate-to-severe eczema: A single blind randomised vehicle-controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2022;51:101561.

42. Rasmussen P. Kawakawa: A promising New Zealand native plant. Pharmacy Today, August 2021.

43. Rasmussen PL. NZ Native Herbs Part 3 (webinar). Phytomed Medicinal Herbs, November 2019.