Abstract

Ankur Patel, Jangyaseni Parida, Sonal Dixit, Rashmi Chourasiya, Narendra Mandoria, Sushisha Tripathy, Manoj Kumar Katual, Konda V. V. S. Krishna and Anil Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by the progressiveloss of melanocytes, resulting in depigmented patches. The pathogenesis of vitiligoinvolves a complex interplay of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors.Conventional therapies, such as corticosteroids and phototherapy, are oftenassociated with limited efficacy and side effects, prompting the exploration ofalternative treatment options, particularly herbal remedies. Objective: This reviewaims to explore the mechanisms of action, antioxidant properties, and therapeuticpotential of herbal remedies for the management of vitiligo. It further discusses theintegrative approaches that combine herbal treatments with conventional therapies,emphasizing their role in enhancing treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted using electronicdatabases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to identify studies onherbal remedies for vitiligo. Studies published between 2000 and 2023 thataddressed the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications of herbaltreatments were included. Results: Key herbs such as Psoralea corylifolia(Bakuchi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice), Phyllanthus emblica (Amla), andCentella asiatica have demonstrated significant benefits in vitiligo treatmentthrough mechanisms such as melanogenesis stimulation, immune modulation, andantioxidant activity. These herbs contain bioactive compounds like psoralen,glycyrrhizin, and polyphenols, which have been shown to promote melanocyteregeneration, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate immune responses. However,clinical evidence remains limited, with most studies lacking large-scale, multicentertrials. Conclusion: Herbal remedies present a promising adjunct or alternative toconventional vitiligo treatments, offering therapeutic benefits with fewer sideeffects. Further clinical studies and mechanistic research are essential to validatethese findings and establish standardized treatment protocols. Integrating herbaltherapies with conventional treatments, along with lifestyle modifications, mayenhance the overall management of vitiligo.