Positive Health Online

Abstract

CASSANO and COLLEAGUES, Second Dermatology Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.vena@dermatologia.uniba.it  studied the effect of oral supplementation (OS) with a nutraceutical, containing methionine, Echinacea, zinc, probiotics and other antioxidant and immunostimulating compounds, on the response of cutaneous warts to conventional standard therapy (CST).

Background

Methodology

This was an open-label study in adults and adolescents aged 14 years or more and with a body weight >=40 kg, who had at least one cutaneous viral wart. Eligible patients were consecutively allocated to CST (topical therapy with a preparation containing salicylic acid and lactic acid or liquid nitrogen cryotherapy) alone or CST combined with nutraceutical OS for 4 months.

Results

A total of 172 patients were enrolled: 83 received CST alone and 89 CST+OS. During the 6-month observation period, a statistically significant reduction of the mean number of warts was obtained in each treatment group and subgroup. The addition of nutraceutical OS was associated with a significantly lower number of warts at 6 months as compared to CST alone. Complete remission was obtained in 54.5% and 86% of patients in the CST group and CST+OS arm, respectively (P<0.001). The influence of the nutraceutical on the response rate appeared to be more prominent in the subgroup of patients treated with topical therapy. The development of new warts during the study period occurred significantly less frequently with CST+OS compared to CST (9% versus 25%; P=0.004). No adverse events possibly related to the nutraceutical administration were observed.

Conclusion

Our pilot experience seems to suggest that nutraceutical OS is safe and beneficial in patients with cutaneous warts, and capable of enhancing the response to CST.

References

Cassano N, Ferrari A, Fai D, Pettinato M, Pelle S, Del Brocco L, Ligori P, Romano I, Curia S, Carbonara M and Vena GA. Oral supplementation with a nutraceutical containing Echinacea, methionine and antioxidant/immunostimulating compounds in patients with cutaneous viral warts. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 146(3):191-5. Jun 2011.

Comment

The above research demonstrated efficacy, indeed complete remission in over 50% of patients with warts using the oral supplement nutraceutical, containing methionine, Echinacea, zinc, probiotics and other antioxidant and immunostimulating compounds.