Abstract:
Melasma is a high incidence and high prevalence disease in Thai female population. Hydroquinone still be a first-line therapy of melasma and ochronosis is a serious permanent side effect of long term usage. Sericin, which has the same anti-tyrosinase property as hydroquinone, might be a new adjunctive therapy for melasma.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness, quality of life and side effects of 8% sericin cream compared to placebo for melasma treatment.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven female volunteers with epidermal or mixed type melasma were enrolled and randomly assigned 8% sericin cream on one side of their face and placebo on the another side. Volunteers were instructed to apply the creams twice a day and apply sunscreen in the morning for 12 weeks and apply only sunscreen in the morning for another 4 weeks. Melasma and side effect were evaluated every 4 weeks. Quality of life was assessed at week 12th.
Results: 24 subjects completed the study. Both of 8% sericin cream and placebo treatment groups showed a significant reduction of mean MASI score and Melanin index at week 4th , 8th and 12th (p-value 0.001 or <0.001 in every weeks) and also showed a significant increase at week 16th . However, mean of ∆ MASI score and ∆ Melanin index, week 4th , 8th and 12th compare with baseline and week 16th compare with week 12th , were not significantly different between both treatments (p-value 0.830, 0.407, 0.331, 0.236 and p-value 0.943, 0.732, 0.407, 0.903). The quality of life of volunteers also significant increase but were not significantly different between both treatments. Mild side effects were observed in both groups.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of 8% sericin cream for melasma treatment, quality of life and side effects were not significantly different compared to placebo.