Pharmacology and Treatment

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Hamamelis Lotion in a UVB Erythema Test
B.J. Hughes-Formella^a, K. Bohnsack^b, F. Rippke^b, G. Benner^b, M. Rudolph^b, I. Tausch^a, J. Gassmueller<sup>a

a</sup>BioSkin, Institute for Dermatological Research and Development, and
^bBeiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 1998;196:316-322 (DOI: 10.1159/000017904)

  Key Words

• Hamamelis
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• UVB erythema
• Aftersun lotion

  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.

  Author Contacts

Betsy J. Hughes-Formella, PhD
BioSkin, Institute for Dermatological Research and Development
Poppenbuetteler Bogen 25, D-22399 Hamburg (Germany)
Tel. 0 40 606 897-24, Fax 0 40 606 897-30
E-Mail BHughes@BioSkin.de

  Article Information

Received: Received: April 14, 1997
Accepted: October 31, 1997
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 12