ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT04635254Updated Jan 19, 2022

The Effect of Halophyte-based Cream on Pain and Itch

An interventional study of Halophites-based cream 24 hours and Halophites-based cream 48 hours in Pain, Acute and Itch, sponsored by Aalborg University. Completed at 1 site in Denmark. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-01-19.

Sponsored by Aalborg University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
32
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

In this study the investigators wish to investigate whether halophyte-based cream applied to the skin can reduce itch applied by means of small needles from the plant mucuna pruriens (also called cowhage) or by histamine (an itch-evoking substance formed in the human body). Further, the investigators wishes to investigate whether long-term application of halophyte-based cream has a pain-relieving effect on heat/cold and pinprick stimulations.

Read the detailed description

Salt-tolerant plants (also called halophytes) can grow in saline soil or directly in salt water (e.g. along coasts). For centuries, these plants have been used in folk medicine, and among other things they are believed to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.

Even though experiments have already investigated halophytes as a pain relieving substance, the mechanisms in relation to pain and/or itch are still unknown. Therefore, the investigators wish to investigate whether halophyte-based cream applied to the skin can reduce itch applied by means of small needles from the plant mucuna pruriens (also called cowhage) or by histamine (an itch-evoking substance formed in the human body). Further, the investigators wishes to investigate whether long-term application of halophyte-based cream has a pain-relieving effect on heat/cold and pinprick stimulations.

02

Conditions studied

  • Pain, Acute
  • Itch
03

In context

Acute Pain

908 studies on the registry are indexed under Acute Pain; 154 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 32 is below the median of 87 across 759 interventional studies indexed under Acute Pain.

Browse Acute Pain studies →

Lead sponsor

Aalborg University is the lead sponsor of 182 studies on the registry; 38 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy men and women
  • 18-60 years
  • Speak and understand English

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Drug addiction defined as any use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
  • Previous or current neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses that may affect the results (e.g. neuropathy, muscular pain in the upper extremities, etc.)
  • Lack of ability to cooperate
  • Current use of medications that may affect the trial such as antihistamine medications or pain killers
  • Skin diseases
  • Consumption of alcohol or painkillers 24 hours before the study days and between these
  • Acute or chronic pain
  • Participation in other trials within 1 week of study entry (4 weeks in the case of pharmaceutical trials)
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
32 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Halophites-based cream 24 hours

    A 2 gram amount of Halophites-based cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

    Other: Halophites-based cream 24 hours · Other: Vehicle cream 24 hours · Other: Histamine 1% · Other: Cowhage

  • Active comparator
    Halophites-based cream 48 hours

    A 2 gram amount of Halophites-based cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

    Other: Halophites-based cream 48 hours · Other: Vehicle cream 48 hours · Other: Histamine 1% · Other: Cowhage

Interventions

  • OtherHalophites-based cream 24 hours

    The concentration of active aqueous extract will be in the range of 2% to 30% (v/v) by cold emulsification. A 2 gram amount of Halophytes-based cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

  • OtherHalophites-based cream 48 hours

    The concentration of active aqueous extract will be in the range of 2% to 30% (v/v) by cold emulsification. A 2 gram amount of Halophytes-based cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

  • OtherVehicle cream 24 hours

    A 2 gram amount of vehicle cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

  • OtherVehicle cream 48 hours

    A 2 gram amount of vehicle cream will be applied under occlusion (TegaDerm tape) in a 4x4 cm squared area.

  • OtherHistamine 1%

    To deliver histamine, standard allergy skin prick test (SPT) lancets are applied. The lancets have a 1 mm shouldered tip adapt to introduce a small amount of test substance extremely locally and approximately at the dermo-epidermal junction.

  • OtherCowhage

    The insertion of cowhage spicule(s) rapidly and consistently produces itch with no or very little flare reaction. This insertion is conducted by forceps using a stereo-microscope, and 30-35 spicules are gently rubbed into a 1 cm diameter skin area.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Superficial blood perfusion

    Superficial blood perfusion is measured by a Speckle contrast imager (FLPI, Moor Instruments, England).

    Time frame: Day 0

  2. Superficial blood perfusion

    Superficial blood perfusion is measured by a Speckle contrast imager (FLPI, Moor Instruments, England).

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  3. Superficial blood perfusion

    Superficial blood perfusion is measured by a Speckle contrast imager (FLPI, Moor Instruments, England).

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  4. Itch intensity

    The subject will rate the itch sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no itch and "100" worst itch imaginable

    Time frame: Day 0

  5. Itch intensity

    The subject will rate the itch sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no itch and "100" worst itch imaginable

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  6. Itch intensity

    The subject will rate the itch sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no itch and "100" worst itch imaginable

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  7. Pain intensity

    The subject will rate the pain sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no pain and "100" worst pain imaginable

    Time frame: Day 0

  8. Pain intensity

    The subject will rate the pain sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no pain and "100" worst pain imaginable

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  9. Pain intensity

    The subject will rate the pain sensation on a 100 millimeter Visual Analog Scale from 0 to 100., where 0"indicates no pain and "100" worst pain imaginable

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  10. Measuring Alloknesis

    Alloknesis is measured by using mildly pruritic, non-painful von Frey nylon filaments of a predetermined intensity (generally 5-30 miliNewton of force).

    Time frame: Day 0

  11. Measuring Alloknesis

    Alloknesis is measured by using mildly pruritic, non-painful von Frey nylon filaments of a predetermined intensity (generally 5-30 miliNewton of force).

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  12. Measuring Alloknesis

    Alloknesis is measured by using mildly pruritic, non-painful von Frey nylon filaments of a predetermined intensity (generally 5-30 miliNewton of force).

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  13. Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

    TEWL is a non-invasive and pain free measuring technique in which a 2x2 cm hollow probe with two small humidity gauges and two thermometers is placed lightly on the skin for 10-25 seconds. These collectively establish a precise humidity gradient in a 2 cm vicinity of the skin, representative for the point-loss of water though the epidermis.

    Time frame: Day 0

  14. Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

    TEWL is a non-invasive and pain free measuring technique in which a 2x2 cm hollow probe with two small humidity gauges and two thermometers is placed lightly on the skin for 10-25 seconds. These collectively establish a precise humidity gradient in a 2 cm vicinity of the skin, representative for the point-loss of water though the epidermis.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  15. Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

    TEWL is a non-invasive and pain free measuring technique in which a 2x2 cm hollow probe with two small humidity gauges and two thermometers is placed lightly on the skin for 10-25 seconds. These collectively establish a precise humidity gradient in a 2 cm vicinity of the skin, representative for the point-loss of water though the epidermis.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

Secondary outcomes

  1. Measurement of Warm Detection Thresholds (WDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (warm sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: Day 0

  2. Measurement of Warm Detection Thresholds (WDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (warm sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  3. Measurement of Warm Detection Thresholds (WDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (warm sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  4. Measurement of Cold Detection Thresholds (CDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (cold sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: Day 0

  5. Measurement of Cold Detection Thresholds (CDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (cold sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  6. Measurement of Cold Detection Thresholds (CDT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject perceives a temperature change (cold sensation) and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  7. Measurement of Heat Pain Thresholds (HPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using the same PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device as above. The stimulations are again applied on the treated/placebo areas. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: Day 0

  8. Measurement of Heat Pain Thresholds (HPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using the same PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device as above. The stimulations are again applied on the treated/placebo areas. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  9. Measurement of Heat Pain Thresholds (HPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using the same PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device as above. The stimulations are again applied on the treated/placebo areas. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature raises 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 52°C will be used.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  10. Measurement of Cold Pain Thresholds (CPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: Day 0

  11. Measurement of Cold Pain Thresholds (CPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  12. Measurement of Cold Pain Thresholds (CPT)

    The tests for thermal sensation will all be performed using a PATHWAY ATS (Medoc Ltd, Israel) thermal sensory testing device. A thermode stimulator of 3x3 cm will be placed on the treated/placebo areas and kept in place by means of Velcro tape. During the first 8 seconds, the temperature decreases 1°C per second from a starting temperature of 32°C until the subject detects a painful sensation and presses a button that will terminate the measurement and return the temperature to baseline at a rate of 5°C /s. A cut-off temperature of 0°C will be used.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  13. Measurement of Pain to Supra-threshold Heat Stimuli:

    Again, the tests will be performed by using the PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device. The subjects will have to rate the pain to three suprathreshold heat pain stimuli (starting and ending at 34°C with an increase and decrease of 5°C and 4 s plateau at 50°C) applied on the treated/placebo areas .

    Time frame: Day 0

  14. Measurement of Pain to Supra-threshold Heat Stimuli:

    Again, the tests will be performed by using the PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device. The subjects will have to rate the pain to three suprathreshold heat pain stimuli (starting and ending at 34°C with an increase and decrease of 5°C and 4 s plateau at 50°C) applied on the treated/placebo areas .

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  15. Measurement of Pain to Supra-threshold Heat Stimuli:

    Again, the tests will be performed by using the PATHWAY ATS thermal sensory testing device. The subjects will have to rate the pain to three suprathreshold heat pain stimuli (starting and ending at 34°C with an increase and decrease of 5°C and 4 s plateau at 50°C) applied on the treated/placebo areas .

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  16. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Thresholds (MPT)

    This test is performed using a pin-prick set (Aalborg University, Aalborg). The set consists of 8 needles each having a diameter of 0.6 mm and different force applications: 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, 25.6, 50.1 and 60.0 g. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order until the first perception of sharpness is reached. The final threshold is the geometric mean of five series of ascending and descending stimuli.

    Time frame: Day 0

  17. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Thresholds (MPT)

    This test is performed using a pin-prick set (Aalborg University, Aalborg). The set consists of 8 needles each having a diameter of 0.6 mm and different force applications: 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, 25.6, 50.1 and 60.0 g. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order until the first perception of sharpness is reached. The final threshold is the geometric mean of five series of ascending and descending stimuli.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  18. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Thresholds (MPT)

    This test is performed using a pin-prick set (Aalborg University, Aalborg). The set consists of 8 needles each having a diameter of 0.6 mm and different force applications: 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8, 25.6, 50.1 and 60.0 g. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order until the first perception of sharpness is reached. The final threshold is the geometric mean of five series of ascending and descending stimuli.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

  19. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS)

    This test is performed using the same pin-prick set as for the MPT test. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order, and the subject will be asked to give a pain rating for each stimulus on a scale from 0-10 (where 0 indicates ''no pain'', and 10 indicates the ''worst imaginable pain''). This procedure will be repeated twice.

    Time frame: Day 0

  20. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS)

    This test is performed using the same pin-prick set as for the MPT test. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order, and the subject will be asked to give a pain rating for each stimulus on a scale from 0-10 (where 0 indicates ''no pain'', and 10 indicates the ''worst imaginable pain''). This procedure will be repeated twice.

    Time frame: 24 hours after cream application

  21. Measurement of Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS)

    This test is performed using the same pin-prick set as for the MPT test. Starting with the lightest, each stimulator is applied at a rate of 2 s on, 2 s off in an ascending order, and the subject will be asked to give a pain rating for each stimulus on a scale from 0-10 (where 0 indicates ''no pain'', and 10 indicates the ''worst imaginable pain''). This procedure will be repeated twice.

    Time frame: 48 hours after cream application

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Aalborg University
    Aalborg, 9000, Denmark
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 19, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04635254
Lead sponsor
Aalborg University
Responsible party
Rocco Giordano (Principal Investigator, Aalborg University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 19, 2020
Start date
Nov 12, 2020
Primary completion
Nov 1, 2021
Completion
Dec 1, 2021
Last update
Jan 19, 2022

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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