A Phase 4 interventional study of MetFORMIN 1000 Mg Oral Tablet and Placebos in Melasma, sponsored by Assiut University. Status unknown at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-08-03.
Sponsored by Assiut University · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
Melasma is a chronic and relapsing acquired dyschromia due to an increased epidermal-melanin unit activity that affects sun-exposed areas mainly in women throughout the reproductive years. It is more common in women, accounting for 90% of all cases.The majority of patients are in third and fourth decades of their life. There are several risk factors that influence its appearance including genetic predisposition,exposure to heat and UV radiation, pregnancy, and exogenous hormones (such as oral contraceptives,thyroid hormones, and hormone replacement therapy). Other factors implicated are phototoxic drugs, anticonvulsant medications,and the use of certain cosmetics. Types of melasma are epidermal, dermal and mixed according to location of melanin.
Its pathogenesis is not fully understood, nevertheless there is evidence that melanogenesis in melasma differ from tanning and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentations as well as there is an involvement of the whole epidermal melanin unit in the process (not just hypertrophic melanocytes), mastocytes, fibroblast and endothelium derived cytokines, as well as there are upper dermal abnormalities different from other acquired pigmentary disorders. Patients with melasma have also been found to have higher markers of oxidative stress status.
Melasma has significant impact on patients physical health, interpersonal relationships ,social-well being and self- esteem as they refused to leave their house, felt inferior to others, and incessantly thought about their melasma being.
Melasma is often resistant to treatment and frustrating for both patients and clinician. In spite of presence of several methods for treatment of melasma exacted as, Topical compounds that include the Kligman's formula which is the triple combination of ( retinoid, hydroquinone, and steroid) and azelaic. Chemical peels (e.g., glycolic, β hydroxyl, and trichloroacetic acid )although these must be used cautiously in patients with darker skin. Laser and Light therapies represent potentially promising options for patients who are refractory to other modalities, but they also carry significant risk of worsening the disease.
Recently, some reports refer to the use of metformin in treatment of melasma. Metformin is antidiabetic drugs that was shown to exert its biological effect by decreasing cyclic adenosine phosphate , which is a well known modulator of melanin synthesis. Metformin decreased skin pigmentation in vivo with minimal side effects, suggesting a potential application of metformin in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders. Where the metformin was applied topically onto a mouse tail, whitening of the tail was observed. In addition, metformin decreased the epidermal level of melanin when metformin was applied to human skin punch biopsies and to reconstructed human epidermis. When melanocytes were treated with metformin, basal level of total melanin (eumelanin and pheomelanin) were reduced significantly. Also metformin blocked forskolin and alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone which increase the levels of melanin. Metformin decrease levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and tyrosinase-related protein-2.
Exclusion Criteria:
Drug: MetFORMIN 1000 Mg Oral Tablet · Drug: Trichloroacetic Acid Peeling
Drug: Trichloroacetic Acid Peeling · Drug: MetFORMIN 500 Mg Oral Tablet
Drug: Placebos · Drug: Trichloroacetic Acid Peeling
oral tablet 1ooomg systemic metformin will be given to group
Also known as: Glucophage
oral placebos will be given to control beside trichloracetic acid peeling
Trichloroacetic acid peeling to the three groups
oral tablet 500 mg
Also known as: Glucophage
degree of improvement of melasma
Melasma Area and Severity Index score will be calculated for patients before and after treatment to all patientsscore is calculated by multiplying the area of involvement with the square of pigmentation as given in the formula: MSI = 0.4 (a × p 2 ) l + 0.4 (a × p 2 ) r + 0.2 (a × p 2 ) n In the formula, "a" stands for "area of involvement," "p" for "severity of pigmentation," "l" for left face, "r" for right face, and "n" for nose. The area involved, as well as the severity of pigmentation is scored from 0 to 4Score 0:No visible pigmentation,score 1 :rarely visible pigmentation scor e 2:mild pigmentation score3: moderate pigmentation score 4:sever pigmentation.scoringfor area of involvement less than or equal 10% area involved-scor1,11-30%-score2 ,31-60%-score3 and more than 60%-score 4 . patient will be photographed at baseline and after every two weeks interval and one month after the last session
Time frame: up to 3 months
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Assiut University