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.