Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Polypodium leucotomos is a tropical fern whose extract has been studied as an adjunctive treatment for vitiligo. Several small clinical trials and preliminary studies have evaluated the efficacy of oral Polypodium leucotomos extract in combination with conventional therapies such as narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy. The proposed mechanisms include its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective effects, which may help reduce oxidative damage to melanocytes and modulate immune responses implicated in vitiligo pathogenesis.

Evidence supporting its use comes primarily from randomized and open-label studies suggesting that Polypodium leucotomos may enhance repigmentation rates when combined with phototherapy, compared to phototherapy alone. For example, a 2015 randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed improved re-pigmentation in vitiligo patients receiving NB-UVB plus Polypodium leucotomos versus NB-UVB alone. However, the number of published studies is limited, study designs are often small or open-label, and there is a lack of long-term and large-scale RCTs. Consequently, while there is scientific interest and moderate evidence, it is not yet considered a standard or universally accepted therapy for vitiligo.

In summary, the use of Polypodium leucotomos in vitiligo is scientifically motivated and has some clinical backing, but the overall quality and quantity of evidence are moderate (rated 2/5), and further robust studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

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