Efficacy of A Topical Herbal Cream Containing Frankincense Oil, Pumpkin Oil and Licorice Aqueous Extract in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Plaque Psoriasis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and objectives: psoriasis is a prevalent, chronic, and inflammatory disorder with good response rates using novel treatment strategies. however, side effects are a limiting factor in long-time treatment. recent studies have demonstrated that many natural remedies have fewer side effects and are thus safer options. the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel topical herbal preparation in patients with plaque psoriasis. methods: this randomized, triple-blind, vehicle-controlled, two-arm parallel trial was conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis (psoriasis area & severity index= pasi score< 12). we randomized 108 patients in 1:1 ratio to receive boswellia-based cream (containing boswellia spp. ethanolic extract, boswellia spp. oil, glycyrrhiza glabra extract, cucurbita pepo pulp oil) or vehicle cream, both applied as a thin layer on skin lesions twice daily for four weeks. results: compared with vehicle, the boswellia-based cream group showed greater reduction in mean pasi score from baseline to week two and from week two to week four (both p<0.001). after two weeks of therapy, dermatology life quality index decreased in both groups, but to a greater extent in the intervention group compared with vehicle (p=0.004). from week two to week four, this item showed an additional decrease in boswellia-based group compared to vehicle (p=0.001). after four weeks of therapy, patients in the boswellia-based group were more satisfied than patients in vehicle group (median score: 8 in boswellia-based group and 5 in vehicle, p<0.001). conclusions: the outcomes showed significant alleviation of psoriasis signs and symptoms with this herbal cream.