Open-label, single-arm, single-center clinical study on the effectiveness and safety of a moisturizer containing tocotrienol-rich composition in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Little is known about antioxidant efficacy of topical vitamin E on atopic dermatitis (AD) due to lack of controlled clinical studies.

Aim: The study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a topical moisturizer containing tocotrienol-rich composition over 12 weeks on patients aged between 1 month and 12 years with mild to moderate AD.

Methods: We conducted a 12 weeks, prospective, open-label clinical study on the effect of tocotrienol as an adjunct to conventional treatment. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subject. JKEUPM-2019-274 (NMMR-19-1588-49234).

Results: Thirty AD patients with a mean age of 2.77 ± 3.05 were enrolled in the study. At week-12, significant reduction of investigator global assessment (63.4%), Patient-Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (PO-SCORAD) (65%), and SCORAD (52.3%) was noted (p < 0.05). There was also a significant decreased in pruritus intensity (46%, p < 0.05). Similarly at week-12, Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index were found to improve significantly compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Instrumental assessment revealed improvement in TEWL and erythema index, 49.7% and 17.4%, respectively. No adverse reaction was observed. 95% of patients were satisfied with the moisturizer and 90% perceived it to be better than the one in the market. There was a 55.07% reduction in the use of hydrocortisone 1% cream toward the end of the study (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results suggested that tocotrienol-rich moisturizer is safe and effective in the management of AD in young children.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; tocotrienol; vitamin E.