Topical treatment containing xyloglucan and pea protein was found to be a safe and effective steroid-sparing alternative for children with atopic dermatitis in a recent study.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition primarily affecting children. Topical corticosteroids are the main treatment used to control skin inflammation and flare-ups in the pediatric population with mild to moderate AD, although they have certain side effects.
Xyloglucan (XG) and pea protein (PP) are natural substances with wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a XG–PP-based topical treatment in children with AD.
Patient Characteristics
A total of 42 patients were enrolled: 21 in the XG–PP-based product treatment group and 21 in the hydrocortisone treatment group. There were eleven male patients in the XG–PP group and eight male patients in the hydrocortisone group. The mean ages were 4 years in the study product group and 7 years in the hydrocortisone group. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups.
Significant Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis in Both Groups
The primary endpoints were the change in the mean AD Severity Index (ADSI) score, Scoring AD (SCORAD) index, and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) score in both groups from baseline to day 8 and day 15. Both groups showed clinically significant improvement in ADSI scores by day 8 and day 15. The mean score decreased from 10.55 and 10.65 at baseline for the XG–PP and hydrocortisone groups, respectively, to 6.25 and 6.85 at day 8 (p=0.00001 for both), and 4.15 and 4.30 at day 15 (p=0.00001 for both).
Significant Improvement in Scorad Index Scores in Both Treatment Groups
There was a significant improvement in the mean scores of the SCORAD index in both groups. In the XG–PP group, the mean score decreased significantly, from 65.86 at baseline to 53.21 at day 8 (p=0.00001) and 30.26 at day 15 (p=0.00001). In the hydrocortisone group, the mean score decreased from 68.84 at baseline to 53.55 at day 8 (p=0.0002) and 31.19 at day 15 (p=0.00001).
POEM Score Significantly Improved in Both Treatment Groups
Assessment of the POEM score showed improvement in both treatment groups. In the XG–PP group, the mean score decreased from 15.15 at baseline to 10.50 at day 8 (p=0.00001) and 6.85 at day 15 (p=0.00001). In the hydrocortisone group, the mean score decreased from 15.60 at baseline to 10.65 at day 8 (p=0.00001) and 6.50 at day 15 (p=0.00001). There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups when comparing the decrease in ADSI score, SCORAD index, or POEM score from baseline to day 8 and day 15.
No Adverse Events or AD Progression Noted With XG–PP-Based Product
The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the tolerability of the XG-PP-based product. The parameters assessed were the percentage of participants who experienced adverse events (AEs), the number of participants who discontinued the treatment due to AEs, and AD progression. The evaluation showed that there was no AE or AD progression on days 8, 15, and 28 of treatment with XG–PP.
Source:
Sowlati, M., Morariu, S. H., Orzan, O. A., Veraldi, S., Dodiuk‐Gad, R. P., Orăsan, R. I., & Gainaru, C. (2023). Efficacy and tolerability of a novel topical treatment containing pea protein and xyloglucan in the management of atopic dermatitis in children: a prospective, multicenter clinical study. Dermatology and Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-023-01035-6
