A patch test study of 27 crude drugs commonly used in Chinese topical medicaments
Authors: Chen H-H.1; Sun C-C.1; Tseng M-P.1; Hsu C-J.1
Source: Contact Dermatitis, Volume 49, Number 1, July 2003 , pp. 8-14(7)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
Chinese topical medicaments (CTMs) are commonly used in Taiwan and in Southeast Asia. However, a systematic evaluation of contact sensitization potential from CTM has not been carried out to our knowledge. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of contact sensitivity to the components of CTM in patients with contact dermatitis from CTM. A screening series of 27 crude drugs most commonly used in CTM as well as a modified European standard series was patch tested in 30 patients. The herbs with the most frequent positive reactions were Flos Caryophylli ( ), Radix Angelicae Pubescentis ( ), Cortex Cinnamomi ( ), Cortex Radix Acanthopanacis ( ), Caulis Impatientis ( ), Resina Draconis/Sanguis Draconis ( ), Fructus Cnidii ( ), Radix Gentiana Macrophyllae ( ), and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong ( ). Concomitant allergy to colophonium was found in most of these positive reactions. Reducing the concentration and simplifying the compositions of these components, as well as replacement with those of low allergenicity in CTM, such as Rhizoma Arisaematis ( ), Herba Lycopodii ( ), Radix Cyathulae Officinalis ( ), Rhizoma Pinelliae ( ), Radix Angelicae Dahuricae ( ), Herba Dendrobii ( ), Secretio Moschus ( ), and Stigmata Croci ( ), may be advocated. A precise labelling of the dosage of each component and the exact chemical compounds in CTM products could further improve the safety and therapeutic effects of CTM in the future.Keywords: allergen replacement; herbal topical medicaments; patch testing; traditional Chinese medicine
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-1873.2003.00125.x
Affiliations: 1: Departments of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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