https://doi.org/10.4081/ijwc.2021.79

Hypericum perforatum and Azadirachta indica (Neem) oil in the management of chronic leg ulcers: An uncontrolled retrospective observational case review

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2021)
Submitted: July 13, 2021
Accepted: September 6, 2021
Published: December 27, 2021
Chronic wounds, wound healing, Hypericum perforatum, Azadirachta indica
Abstract Views: 1390
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Authors

Lisa Turk
lisa.turk@sabes.it
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology; Academic Teaching Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Central Hospital Bolzano/Bozen, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.
Tobias Thuile
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology; Academic Teaching Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Central Hospital Bolzano/Bozen, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.
Valentina De Marzi
College of Healthcare Professions Claudiana & University La Sapienza Rome, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.
Giovanni Antonacci
College of Healthcare Professions Claudiana & University La Sapienza Rome, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy.
Mario Puviani
Unit of Dermatology and Surgical Dermatology, Sassuolo Hospital, Sassuolo, Modena, Italy.
Klaus Eisendle
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology; Academic Teaching Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Central Hospital Bolzano/Bozen, Bolzano/Bozen; College of Healthcare Professions Claudiana & University La Sapienza Rome, Bolzano/Bozen; Dermatologic Surgery Workgroup of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology, SIDeMaST, Italy.

Chronic nonhealing leg ulcers are debilitating with high morbidity in a vulnerable patient population and pose a frequent clinical and socioeconomic problem. Numerous local treatment options exist, but clinical trials are rare and wound management still represents a big challenge. Recently a wound dressing based on the natural remedies Hypericum perforatum and Neem oil has been proposed for chronic wound management, but trials on nonhealing leg ulcers are missing. Uncontrolled retrospective observational case review on all patients under our supervision with chronic leg ulcers who underwent treatment with a plant-derived wound dressing based on Hypericum perforatum and Azadirachta indica (Neem) oil. It could be retrieved in a total 16 cases (11 female) with a median age of 71 years. All ulcers (7 ulcers on the leg and 9 ulcers on the feed) showed a complete healing after a median healing time of 82 days (Mean 85, range 14-180 days). No side effects occurred, medication was painless or even reduced pain. Wound dressings based on Hypericum perforatum and Neem oil are well tolerated and could be a potential additional simple treatment option in the management of non-healing leg ulcers. Prospective controlled trials are needed to confirm these observations.

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How to Cite

Turk, L., Thuile, T., De Marzi, V., Antonacci, G., Puviani, M., & Eisendle, K. (2021). <em>Hypericum perforatum</em> and <em>Azadirachta indica</em> (Neem) oil in the management of chronic leg ulcers: An uncontrolled retrospective observational case review. Italian Journal of Wound Care, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/ijwc.2021.79
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