Polyphenols as Novel Treatment Options for Dermatological Diseases: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

The 2014 systematic review analyzed 17 clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of polyphenol-based treatments in dermatology, with a focus on conditions such as anogenital warts, alopecia, acne vulgaris, hyperpigmentation, and photoaged skin. The trials included a range of 12 to 503 participants and lasted from 4 weeks to 2 years. Green tea polyphenols were supported by high-quality evidence for treating anogenital warts, while other polyphenols showed potential benefits for alopecia, acne, and hyperpigmentation. For example, a study with 43 men demonstrated significant hair growth over 12 months, and another with 60 women showed reduced melanin content over 8 weeks. Adverse events were generally mild, with no serious adverse events reported. However, the review noted limitations such as small sample sizes and short follow-up times and called for more rigorous trials to establish evidence-based guidelines for polyphenol use in dermatology.