Ann Dermatol.  2013 Aug;25(3):285-291. 10.5021/ad.2013.25.3.285.

Dose-Dependent Effects of Evening Primrose Oil in Children and Adolescents with Atopic Dermatitis

• Chung BY
• Kim JH
• Cho SI
• Ahn IS
• Kim HO
• Park CW
• Lee CH

• KMID: 2265866
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2013.25.3.285

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Previous clinical trials with evening primrose oil in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment have shown different results. In addition, the optimal dose and duration of treatment with evening primrose oil have not yet been determined.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the dose-response treatment effects of evening primrose oil on clinical symptoms of AD and serum concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
METHODS
Forty AD patients were enrolled for the study and randomly divided into 2 groups: those who received evening primrose oil 160 mg daily for 8 weeks and those who received 320 mg of evening primrose oil twice daily for 8 weeks. We evaluated the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores of all AD patients at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8. In addition, we measured the levels of serum fatty acids, including C16 : 0 (palmitic), C18 : 2n (linoleic), C18 : 3n (linolenic) and C20 : 4 (arachidonic acid) using gas chromatography.
RESULTS
The serum fatty acid levels C18 : 3n and C20 : 4 were higher in the 320 mg group than in the 160 mg group, with statistical significance. After evening primrose oil treatment, EASI scores were reduced in the 2 groups. The improvement in EASI scores was greater in the 320 mg group than in the 160 mg group. There were no side effects seen in either group during the study in the 2 groups.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that the 320 mg and 160 mg groups may be equally effective in treating AD patients and show dose-dependent effects on serum fatty acid levels and EASI scores.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Evening primrose oil; Gamma-linolenic acid

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic
Eczema
Fatty Acids
gamma-Linolenic Acid
Humans
Linoleic Acids
Oenothera biennis
Plant Oils
Fatty Acids
Linoleic Acids
Plant Oils
gamma-Linolenic Acid

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Changes in serum fatty acid levels after treatment with evening primrose oil. (A) In the 160 mg group, all serum fatty acid levels increased, but only the increases in the levels of C18 : 3n (linolenic acid) and C20 : 4 (arachidonic acid) were statistically significant. *p=0.006, **p=0.006. (B) In the 320 mg group, all serum fatty acid levels increased, but significant differences were only noted in the serum levels of C18:3n (linolenic acid) and C20:4 (arachidonic acid). *p=0.001, **p=0.000.

• 

  Fig. 2 A 10-year-old boy with atopic dermatitis. (A) Clinical photograph taken at first visit showing scaly erythematous patches, small erythematous papules and excoriations on the neck. (B) Clinical photograph taken eight weeks after supplementation of gamma-linolenic acid 320 mg/d shows considerably improved skin lesions.

• 

  Fig. 3 Changes in Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores after treatment with evening primrose oil. The mean EASI scores were 5.850±1.548, 5.350±1.367, 4.850±1.451 and 4.525±3.581 at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8, respectively, in the 160 mg group. The mean EASI scores were 6.250±1.713, 5.450±1.512, 4.200±1.174 and 3.475±1.175 at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8, respectively, in the 320 mg group. The difference between the first and last EASI scores was statistically significant in the 320 mg group (p=0.000). Visit 1: 0 week, Visit 2: 2 weeks, Visit 3: 4 weeks: Visit 4: 8 weeks. *p=0.000.

• 

  Fig. 4 The serum C18 : 3n (linolenic acid) levels and Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores showed a significant negative correlation in the 320 mg group (r=0.544, p=0.013).

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