Black Pepper may hold key to Vitiligo cure
A tidbit on the health benefits of traditional Indian spices:
“Black pepper could provide a new treatment for the skin disease vitiligo..” Excerpt:
“…Vitiligo is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigment and become white.
Researchers discovered that piperine - the compound that gives black pepper its spicy, pungent flavour - can stimulate pigmentation in the skin.
The study, by King’s College London, appears in the British Journal of Dermatology. These findings could potentially lead to the development of treatments…”
As many of you may know, the incidence of Vitiligo in India is much higher than in Europe (this report suggests it is 1% in Europe)…and its appearance is more prominent in people with darker skins…
Unfortunately, there is currently no known treatment or cure for it.
“…Current treatments include corticosteroids applied to the skin, and phototherapy using UV radiation (UVR) to re-pigment the skin. However, less than a quarter of patients respond successfully to corticosteroids.
And UVR causes a re-pigmentation that is spotted and patchy and in the long-term could lead to a higher risk of skin cancer. “
As Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists says in the report:
“Vitiligo is a highly visible disease that can greatly affect patients psychologically and emotionally. Any breakthrough in treatments of this disease is most welcome.”
Indeed it is.
Incidentally, I was not aware that the word pepper is derived from the Latin word piper, which in turn is taken from the Sanskrit word pippali and its therapeutic properties include acting as an analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient and tonic (especially of the spleen) !!
(Source: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/black-pepper.htm )
See also: Pepper ‘kills prostate cancer‘
Related Posts:
UPDATE: Vitiligo sufferers may find this site of interest: http://www.vitiligosupport.org/
I think that is true because in my child hood black pepper was used for boils.
Extract application on skin also has therapeutic effect and oral use of the same is good for skin texture as per “Charak”
Comment by Pramod | February 21, 2008
Thanks for posting this excellent news.
Sometime back only I went through all the articles on dermetological site of U.S. and U.K. out of curiosity. And I was so upset to find no cure till now . They also mentioned about Laser therepy somewhere. Hope it too come to the rescue. Though it is not dangerous but in India many problems are connected with this disesase at the time of marriage proposal. It needs to be cured and treated as early as early possible.
Comment by Indian | February 21, 2008
@ Pramod: I will try and look up the reference to this in “Charaka Samhita”.
***
@ Indian: You are right…Although strictly speaking not a “disease”, Vitiligo can be very damaging for self-esteem and can lead to serious loss of confidence and self-image issues.
In India of course, things are aggravated as awareness about the condition is still low and a lot of people believe it is contagious (it is not and cannot be transmitted in any manner).
Many of you may not know this but Michael Jackson is said to suffer from Vitiligo.
By the way, I just came across this inspirational story of an Indian woman who suffers from Vitiligo
Comment by B Shantanu | February 22, 2008
How was the piperine compound prepared? thanks!
Comment by G Cruz | March 4, 2008
G Cruz: I am not sure how it was prepared but this site may have answer(s) to your question:
http://www.vitiligosupport.org/
Thanks
Comment by B Shantanu | March 10, 2008
its great news that there might be a cure through black pepper finally. ive waited so many years to hear some progress for a cure for Vitiligo.
Comment by mo | April 3, 2008
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*** Original Comment ***
Different people use the term »Cure« in different context, as regards Cure in vitiligo. Some use this term only for re-pigmentation of the existing spots, while others are concerned with complete eradication of illness from the body.
If you mean second i.e. complete annihilation of the vitiligo from your system, that is a tricky matter.
Vitiligo results from a derangement of your normal defense mechanisms against infection. The body starts producing antibodies against pigment producing cells of its own skin. No exact causes and remedies are known. This is a generalized abnormality of your immune system, and currently there are no acceptable permanent ways to overcome this process.
Comment by irshad | April 29, 2008
I like your post. I have strong belief that the herbal treatment is best for vitiligo because it is iconomic, easy to use and has no side effect.
Comment by Amir | June 6, 2008
most of the treatments are just money making schemes……yet to see someone offer free treatment.
Comment by Anesh | June 12, 2008
http://www.vitiligosupport.org has a lot of information.
There is also info abut medicines available in India (these are not steroids). See below
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Yes Tacroz is not steroid..I found this very interesting article by three dermatologists from AIIMS, its about non-steroidal immunomodulatory agents.
Khandpur S, Sharma VK, Sumanth K. Topical immunomodulators in dermatology. J Postgrad Med [serial online] 2004 [cited 2005 Jun 18];50:131-139. Available from:
http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2004;volume=50;issue=2;spage=131;epage=139;aulast=Khandpur
The useful extracts from the article…..
1. Topical Tacrolimus ointment (0.3%, 0.1%, 0.03%), applied twice daily, is safe and effective in both childhood and adult cases over a period of 1 year.
2. Available in India as Tacroz (0.03%), Rs.160/- and Tacroz forte (0.1%) ointment, Rs. 405/-, 5gm, Gracewell, Tacrovate (0.03%), Rs.160/- and Tacrovate forte (0.1%), Rs. 405/-, 5 gm, Ochoa Laboratories.
3. Topical calcipotriol
Calcipotriol is a synthetic vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) analogue, developed by modification of the side chain to enhance the antipsoriatic effect of vitamin D3 and ameliorate its hypercalcemic action.
Vitiligo: Investigators have demonstrated the presence of VDR on melanocytes and have suggested that calcipotriol may regulate melanin synthesis. Research has also revealed defective calcium homeostasis in melanocytes and keratinocytes in the depigmented skin, which is reversed with calcipotriol therapy. In a randomised, double-blind, right/left comparative study, combination therapy with PUVA produced marked improvement with faster repigmentation.
Topical calcipotriol is available as 50ug/g ointment, cream and solution internationally, and in India, as cream form. Available in India as Daivonex, 50mg/g (0.005%) ointment, 30 gm, Rs. 860/-, Croslands.
http://www.vitiligosupport.org/forums/discussions.cfm?forumid=32&topicid=115608
Comment by Vitiligo Parent | September 5, 2008