Allopathic and Ayurvedic approaches in management of vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo an acquired disorder of pigmentation affects up to 2% of the world's population. The etiopathogenesis of this disease is better understood now than a decade ago. This abstract aims at highlighting the role of both modern and complementary medicine in the management of vitiligo from the literature. Recent advances on the modern medical front are Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NBUVB, Targeted Ultraviolet B (UVB), Excimer laser therapies, topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical pseudocatalase, and topical Vitamin D analogues in combination with Ultraviolet (UV) light. The surgical options include suction and split grafting and melanocyte culture transplantation. On the complementary front, many trials have investigated the use of Ayurvedic plants in the treatment of vitiligo. These trials studied photosensitizing agents from Picorrhiza kurroa, a khellin extract, and Polypodium leucotomos. Psoralea corylifolia extract is known to stimulate to melanoblasts and is commonly used in the management of vitiligo. The use of oral Ginkgo biloba as monotherapy for vitiligo is also promising. Ginkgo's efficacy without the need for phototherapy thereby eliminating the adverse effects inherent with phototherapy makes it a therapeutic option worth investigating. Still further investigations and more controlled trials studying effect of plant extracts in the treatment of vitiligo are needed.