Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by hypopigmented macules occurring due to melanocyte destruction. An interplay of several biochemical mechanisms has been proposed to explain the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo, such as genetic, autoimmune response...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-02-01
|
| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/3/427 |
| _version_ | 1797610286757183488 |
|---|---|
| author | Ayoub Ali Alshaikh Rishi Kumar Bharti |
| author_facet | Ayoub Ali Alshaikh Rishi Kumar Bharti |
| author_sort | Ayoub Ali Alshaikh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by hypopigmented macules occurring due to melanocyte destruction. An interplay of several biochemical mechanisms has been proposed to explain the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo, such as genetic, autoimmune responses, generation of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and melanocyte detachment mechanisms. There is no cure for vitiligo; however, pharmacological treatment measures (cosmetic camouflage creams, steroids, psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, narrowband UVB) are available, but they could have certain side effects. We reported an interesting case of vitiligo in Saudi Arabia that showed reversal of vitiligo, which is an extremely rare phenomenon, with the objective of probing the probable reasons for this reversal. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study on vitiligo that has reported spontaneous reversal of vitiligo in Saudi Arabia so far. <i>Materials and Method:</i> The patient presented to the Family Medicine clinic with a history of restoration of melanin pigment in his lesions after 3 years of the onset of vitiligo. Patients history was taken carefully along with clinical examination, carried out necessary biomedical lab investigations and compiled the data. The data at the time of pigment restoration were compared to the previous data when he developed the lesions. <i>Result:</i> The probable reasons for vitiligo reversal could be markedly decreased psychological stress, regular consumption of an antioxidant-rich herbal drink made of curcumin and honey, and dietary switchover to vegetarianism and an alcohol-free lifestyle. <i>Conclusions:</i> Curcumin-based herbal remedies could be an alternative option to treat vitiligo. These methods must be further explored through clinical trials as they are safer, easily available, and more affordable. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:13:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b577c80c6d04f3fbc09f90ddb07ca54 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:13:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b577c80c6d04f3fbc09f90ddb07ca542023-11-17T12:30:27ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442023-02-0159342710.3390/medicina59030427Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical DerangementsAyoub Ali Alshaikh0Rishi Kumar Bharti1Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62585, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62585, Saudi Arabia<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by hypopigmented macules occurring due to melanocyte destruction. An interplay of several biochemical mechanisms has been proposed to explain the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo, such as genetic, autoimmune responses, generation of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and melanocyte detachment mechanisms. There is no cure for vitiligo; however, pharmacological treatment measures (cosmetic camouflage creams, steroids, psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, narrowband UVB) are available, but they could have certain side effects. We reported an interesting case of vitiligo in Saudi Arabia that showed reversal of vitiligo, which is an extremely rare phenomenon, with the objective of probing the probable reasons for this reversal. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study on vitiligo that has reported spontaneous reversal of vitiligo in Saudi Arabia so far. <i>Materials and Method:</i> The patient presented to the Family Medicine clinic with a history of restoration of melanin pigment in his lesions after 3 years of the onset of vitiligo. Patients history was taken carefully along with clinical examination, carried out necessary biomedical lab investigations and compiled the data. The data at the time of pigment restoration were compared to the previous data when he developed the lesions. <i>Result:</i> The probable reasons for vitiligo reversal could be markedly decreased psychological stress, regular consumption of an antioxidant-rich herbal drink made of curcumin and honey, and dietary switchover to vegetarianism and an alcohol-free lifestyle. <i>Conclusions:</i> Curcumin-based herbal remedies could be an alternative option to treat vitiligo. These methods must be further explored through clinical trials as they are safer, easily available, and more affordable.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/3/427herbal remediesreversalvitiligobiochemical mechanismstreatmentcurcumin |
| spellingShingle | Ayoub Ali Alshaikh Rishi Kumar Bharti Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements Medicina herbal remedies reversal vitiligo biochemical mechanisms treatment curcumin |
| title | Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements |
| title_full | Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements |
| title_fullStr | Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements |
| title_short | Spontaneous Reversal of Vitiligo, a Rare Phenomenon Reported in a Case in Saudi Arabia with an Insight into Metabolic Biochemical Derangements |
| title_sort | spontaneous reversal of vitiligo a rare phenomenon reported in a case in saudi arabia with an insight into metabolic biochemical derangements |
| topic | herbal remedies reversal vitiligo biochemical mechanisms treatment curcumin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/3/427 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ayoubalialshaikh spontaneousreversalofvitiligoararephenomenonreportedinacaseinsaudiarabiawithaninsightintometabolicbiochemicalderangements AT rishikumarbharti spontaneousreversalofvitiligoararephenomenonreportedinacaseinsaudiarabiawithaninsightintometabolicbiochemicalderangements |