An early investigational report indicates that a compound derived from baby spinach leaves may be developed into an effective topical treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD).
According to a study in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, PUR 0110 cream 0.1% demonstrated rapid improvement in signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Between Nov. 2018 and June 2020, 13 Canadian sites conducted a phase 2, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled study. They evaluated PUR 0110 cream 0.05% (44 patients), 0.1% (39 patients), and 0.25% (39 patients) compared to vehicle (40 patients).
Dr. Charles Lynde of Lynde Dermatology in Markham, Ont., Probity Medical Research, and the department of medicine at the University of Toronto and colleagues wrote. “PUR 0110 cream (Thykamine, Devonian Health Group) is a novel investigational complex derived from organic baby spinach leaves that contains thylakoid membrane segments of various lengths that are concentrated and stabilized into a solid powder form.”
The study abstract notes the primary efficacy endpoint of the study was the proportion of patients with an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of clear or almost clear and with a decrease from baseline score of at least two grades at day 29. Key secondary efficacy endpoints included change from baseline to day 29 in IGA, percent body surface area (%BSA) affected, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, itch and quality of life. The researchers also evaluated safety, including local and systemic adverse events.
The study showed the 0.1% formulation was better than vehicle for reaching the primary efficacy endpoint, 30.8% vs. 6.7%, (p=0.014). There was no equivalent separation reported between vehicle and the other two PUR 0110 doses.
The 0.1% formulation was also better than vehicle when change from baseline to day 29 of IGA score, BSA, pruritis, and patient-reported QoL were evaluated. The other two PUR 0110 doses did not have the same outcome.
Adverse event rates of the cream were mild to moderate, ranging between 40.7% and 44.3% across treatment and vehicle groups.
In the abstract, Dr. Lynde and colleagues wrote: “PUR 0110 cream 0.10% demonstrated rapid improvement in signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. This observation, along with its favourable safety and tolerability profile, could make it a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.”