Clinical Study: Lotion Containing Propolis Special Extract GH 2002 0.5% vs. Placebo as On-Top Treatment of Herpes Zoster

Abstract

Background: The aim of the clinical trial was to establish the contribution of propolis special extract GH 2002 as constituent of a lotion for the supportive treatment of Herpes zoster. Methods: 60 patients with diagnosed Herpes zoster were either treated with a propolis containing (n = 33) or an identical, but propolis-free lotion (n = 27) for 28 days, as an add-on therapy to oral antiviral treatment with aciclovir. Study parameters were the assessment of pain on a visual analogue scale, the assessment of the formation of new vesicles, and the safety of application of the preparation. Results: Improvement of pain was significantly better and quicker in the propolis lotion group (p < 0.001 at all visits). On day 3/4, the reduction of pain versus baseline was 54% versus 20% reduction in favour of propolis lotion. On day 14 the results were 80% versus 42% pain reduction. Healing of lesions was significantly quicker with the propolis-containing lotion: at visit 3 on day 7, 21% versus none of the patients showed a closed skin with or without crusting. After 14 days, the comparison showed 57.6% versus 25.9%. At least 50% of propolis-treated patients were lesion-free on day 14, versus day 28 in the control group (p = 0.013). The formation of new vesicles was also significantly suppressed. On day 3/4 the number of newly formed vesicles was 15 versus 25, on day seven the number of new vesicles was 4 versus 14 (p < 0.001). The advantage of propolis lotion was confirmed through the global assessment of efficacy by the physician, with 75.8 versus 33.3% “good” to “excellent” ratings already on day 3/4, 90.9 vs. 44.4% on day 7, and 100 vs. 74.1% on day 28 (p < 0.001). Skin tolerability was excellent, no allergic reactions, skin irritations or other adverse events were observed. Conclusion: The observations clinically confirm antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of propolis special extract GH 2002 and at the same time demonstrate the benefits of the topical add-on to the systemic antiviral therapy of Herpes zoster.