Gonçalves Sara, Fernandes Lisete, Caramelo Ana, Martins Maria, Rodrigues Tânia, Matos Rita S
Academic Clinical Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (CACTMAD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Plants (Basel). 2024 Dec 16;13(24):3515. doi: 10.3390/plants13243515.
Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a debilitating condition that severely impacts quality of life, especially in palliative care settings. Traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief or are associated with significant side effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This review investigates the antipruritic potential of eight medicinal plants: chamomile (), aloe vera (), calendula (), curcumin (), lavender (), licorice (), peppermint (), and evening primrose (). These plants are analyzed for their traditional applications, active bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, usage, dosage, and safety profiles. Comprehensive searches were conducted in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and b-on, focusing on in vitro, animal, and clinical studies using keywords like "plant", "extract", and "pruritus". Studies were included regardless of publication date and limited to English-language articles. Findings indicate that active compounds such as polysaccharides in aloe vera, curcuminoids in turmeric, and menthol in peppermint exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating properties. Chamomile and calendula alleviate itching through anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing effects, while lavender and licorice offer antimicrobial benefits alongside antipruritic relief. Evening primrose, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, is effective in atopic dermatitis-related itching. Despite promising preclinical and clinical results, challenges remain in standardizing dosages and formulations. The review highlights the necessity of further clinical trials to ensure efficacy and safety, advocating for integrating these botanical therapies into complementary palliative care practices. Such approaches emphasize holistic treatment, addressing chronic pruritus's physical and emotional burden, thereby enhancing patient well-being.
慢性瘙痒，即持续性瘙痒，是一种使人衰弱的病症，严重影响生活质量，尤其是在姑息治疗环境中。传统治疗方法往往无法提供充分的缓解，或伴有显著的副作用，这促使人们对替代疗法产生兴趣。本综述研究了八种药用植物的止痒潜力：洋甘菊、芦荟、金盏花、姜黄素、薰衣草、甘草、薄荷和月见草。分析了这些植物的传统应用、活性生物活性化合物、作用机制、临床证据、用法、剂量和安全性概况。在包括PubMed、科学网、Scopus和b-on在内的数据库中进行了全面检索，重点关注使用“植物”、“提取物”和“瘙痒”等关键词的体外、动物和临床研究。无论发表日期如何，研究均被纳入，且仅限于英文文章。研究结果表明，芦荟中的多糖、姜黄中的姜黄素类化合物和薄荷中的薄荷醇等活性化合物具有显著的抗炎、抗氧化和免疫调节特性。洋甘菊和金盏花通过抗炎和舒缓皮肤的作用减轻瘙痒，而薰衣草和甘草除了缓解瘙痒外还具有抗菌益处。富含γ-亚麻酸的月见草对特应性皮炎相关的瘙痒有效。尽管临床前和临床结果很有前景，但在标准化剂量和制剂方面仍存在挑战。该综述强调了进一步进行临床试验以确保疗效和安全性的必要性，主张将这些植物疗法纳入辅助姑息治疗实践中。此类方法强调整体治疗，解决慢性瘙痒的身体和情感负担，从而提高患者的幸福感。
