David H Kinder
Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy, USA
Title: Asphodolus microcarpus (L) history and current use for the treatment of psoriasis: development and validation of an herb used for over a millennium
Biography
Biography: David H Kinder
Abstract
Western medicine has given us improved health and quality of life at the same time causing other problems with maintaining health. As we look to the past for better treatment of diseases, we find plants that are still in use by old communities for various diseases or conditions. So it is with the treatment of psoriasis. The story starts a millennium ago with the use of Asphodelus spp., where the juice of the bulb was squeezed on patchy itchy skin. Relief was rapid. Modern medicine substituted single agents for treating psoriasis, with some success, but we have shownand validated the use of a plant based therapy that has an advantage over these drugs. Furthermore when using plant based therapy, there are often several compounds that work in concert to affect the therapeutic outcome so that variations in individual responses to single agents can be minimized. Asphodelus are currently being used for treating psoriasis but has been known for at least a millennium among the Druse in the Golan. Psoriasis is a condition characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermal keratinocytes of skin causing flaky scales and crusty red patches. In vitro keratinocyte models then are a good representation for plaque psoriasis. An extract of Asphodelus shows potent keratinocyte inhibition. The extract has been subjected to fractionation and activity of several fractions have potent activity. Two clinical trials conducted by Pro-Z92 with a preparation of Asphodelus extract demonstrated efficacy that was as good as, or superior to that of corticosteroids.
