DOI: 10.4103/hjum.hjum_27_26 ISSN: 0974-1291

Efficacy of Traditional Unani Formulations in Patients with Lichen Planus: An Interventional Clinical Study

Sumbul Nida, Saba Khanum, Mohd Aleemuddin Quamri, Faseeha Eram
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Abstract

Background and Objectives:

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder characterized by pruritic, violaceous papules and plaques with a recurrent course and limited long-term therapeutic options. In Unani medicine, a condition analogous to LP, termed Baraṣ Aswad , is managed using oral and topical therapies aimed at correcting humoral imbalance. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of an oral Unani Ma‘jūn formulation in combination with topical Ṭilā’ Baraṣ Aswad in patients with LP.

Methods:

An exploratory, prospective, open-label, single-arm interventional clinical study was conducted in 24 patients with clinically diagnosed cutaneous LP at a tertiary care Unani hospital. Participants received Ma‘jūn (10 g orally twice daily) along with topical Ṭilā’ Baraṣ Aswad applied twice daily for 42 days. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Lichen Planus Severity Index (LPSI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pruritus, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline and at 14 days intervals. Safety was evaluated through clinical monitoring and laboratory investigations.

Results:

All participants completed the study. Statistically significant improvements were observed from baseline to Week 6 in VAS scores (84.1% reduction), LPSI scores (19.9% reduction), and DLQI scores (71.4% reduction) ( P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). No adverse drug reactions or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were reported.

Conclusion:

This exploratory study suggests that combined Unani interventions may improve symptom severity and quality of life in LP and are well tolerated. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings.

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