Inhibition of the development of cold sores through early use of a nurishing lip balm containing the active constituent propolis special extract GH 2002 in comparison with aciclovir cream 5 %
Abstract
Within a application study 102 patients in the prodromal stage of herpes labialis received either a cream containing 0,5% of the active constituent propolis special extract GH 2002 (n = 54) or Aciclovir cream 5% as reference (n = 48). Study duration was 9 days.
With an early on use of the propolis lip balm a continuing decline of pain symptomatology was seen, measured on the basis of a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) with significant statistical differences to the initial value of the two assessment periods day 2 and day 4 (both p 3 x 10 -6). Pain reduction was achieved from primarily 29.91 mm VAS to 21.98 mm on day 2 and finally to 11.93 mm on day 4.
In contrast, under use of aciclovir, pain rose from the initial value of 34.04 mm to 47.17 mm VAS on day 2 followed by an improvement to 37.19 mm VAS, with pain intensity still above the initial value. Thus, the group differences at both particular time, reached 25.2 mm, equalling a quarter of the total scale in favor of the active constituent propolis special extract GH 2002.
In addition, the course of the herpes episode was shortened under propolis in 79.6% of the study cohort in the direction of a direct transition from the erythemal stage to complete healing omiting the blister and the encrustation phase. In the physician's assessment the propolis cream was rated as good to very good in 90.7% of the cases, while aciclovir was judged the same in only 39.6% of the cases.
Both investigational products were well tolerated and no adverse effects or intolerances occurred.