A Prospective interventional study on the therapeutic potential of human placental extract in dermatological conditions.

Abstract

Background

Placental extract is known for its regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is increasingly used in dermatology for conditions such as melasma, alopecia, and chronic ulcers.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of topical and intradermal human placental extract (HPE) in selected dermatological conditions.

 Methods

A prospective interventional study was conducted at a tertiary care dermatology outpatient clinic over 6 months (August 2023 to February 2024). Fifty patients were enrolled and grouped according to diagnosis: melasma (n=20), chronic non-healing ulcers (n=15), and alopecia areata (n=15). Topical application or intradermal injection of placental extract was administered over 6 weeks. Clinical improvement was assessed using the MASI (score melasma), ulcer area measurement, and SALT score (alopecia) at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks.

 Results

In the present study, age (mean±SD): B 47.3±8.4 > A 34.1±6.2 > C 29.8±5.6; females: A 90%, B 60%, C 40%. Significant improvement was observed in all groups. In melasma, the mean MASI score decreased from 12.6 ± 2.3 to 6.4 ± 1.9 (p < 0.01); in chronic ulcers, the mean area reduced by 68.2% (p < 0.01); and in alopecia areata, the SALT score improved from 35.2 ± 8.1 to 22.5 ± 6.7 (p < 0.05). No major adverse effects were reported.

 Conclusion

Human placental extract is effective and safe in the management of melasma, chronic ulcers, and alopecia areata. Further large-scale trials are recommended.

Recommendations

Use HPE adjunctively (melasma: weekly intradermal ×6; ulcers: daily topical; alopecia: intralesional q2w ×3 with standard co-therapies), standardize monitoring (photos, MASI/SALT/ulcer area at 0/3/6 weeks), enforce safety/asepsis with AE logs, implement SOPs/registry, and conduct ≥6–12-month RCTs (dose–response, subgroups/biomarkers, cost-effectiveness, PROs).