NCT02394366

Topical Salve for Skin Oxygenation and Blood Flow

Effects of Topical Herbal Salve on Cutaneous Oxygenation and Peripheral Blood Flow

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: National University of Natural Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Delayed wound healing leads to increased risk for infection, and thus increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Skin oxygen delivery and peripheral blood flow predict wound healing. The investigators will conduct a double-masked, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical pilot trial in order to evaluate the effects of a topical, homeopathic/herbal salve (Original Healing Salve, Puremedy, Inc.) on skin oxygenation and peripheral blood flow.

Detailed description

Delayed wound healing leads to increased risk for infection, and thus increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Skin oxygen delivery and peripheral blood flow predict wound healing. In order to evaluate the effects of a topical, homeopathic/herbal salve (Original Healing Salve, Puremedy, Inc.) on skin oxygenation and peripheral blood flow, the investigators will conduct a double-masked, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical pilot trial with randomized testing order to evaluate the effects of the salve on cutaneous oxygen saturation (TcPO2) and ankle-to-brachial pressure index (ABPI). The investigators will recruit thirty-two participants in two cohorts to participate, one with and one without type 2 diabetes, who are otherwise generally healthy without active wounds, ulcers or skin rashes. Both TcPO2 and ABPI will be measured before and after the application of both the homeopathic/herbal salve ("active"), and before and after the application of the inert salve base ("placebo"). Analyses will compare pre/post changes in TcPO2 and ABPI before and after application of the active salve within the same visit, and also compare the changes from the active salve to the before and after changes in TcPO2 and ABPI measured from the placebo salve. If the Original Healing Salve improves cutaneous oxygenation and/or ABPI, future research may evaluate the formula specifically for wound healing and antimicrobial effects. Thus the proposed research is a pilot study targeting mechanistic outcomes, which predict potential clinical efficacy. The proposed research is significant, as lower cost, more effective treatments are needed to improve wound healing and reduce the morbidity associated with the complications of delayed wound healing.

Conditions

• Skin Oxygenation
• Peripheral Perfusion

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Original Healing Salve (OHS)	Topical salve (Puremedy, Inc.)
OTHER	OHS base only	Olive and beeswax salve base

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-03-01
• Primary completion: 2015-10-01
• Completion: 2015-10-01
• First posted: 2015-03-20
• Last updated: 2018-11-08