Treatment of progressive pigmented purpura with oral bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid: an open pilot study in 3 patients

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999 Aug;41(2 Pt 1):207-8. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(99)70050-2.

Abstract

Background: Bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid have been shown to increase capillary resistance and to mediate potent antioxidative radical scavenging activities.

Objective: We evaluated the clinical effect of oral bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid in patients with chronic progressive pigmented purpura (PPP).

Methods: In an open pilot study, oral rutoside (50 mg twice a day) and ascorbic acid (500 mg twice a day) were administered to 3 patients with chronic PPP.

Results: At the end of the 4-week treatment period, complete clearance of the skin lesions was achieved in all 3 patients. No adverse reactions were noted. All patients remained free of lesions at the end of 3 months after treatment.

Conclusion: Our results suggest a beneficial effect of bioflavonoids in combination with ascorbic acid on PPP. Because the disease is mostly resistant to other treatment modalities, placebo-controlled studies are necessary to determine the usefulness of this therapy in PPP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / administration & dosage
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Pigmentation Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Purpura / drug therapy*
  • Rutin / administration & dosage
  • Rutin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Rutin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • rutin sulfate
  • Rutin
  • Ascorbic Acid