Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Compound Glycyrrhizin Followed by Phototherapy for the Treatment of Progressive Vitiligo in Children

• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13226
• Publication Date: 2025-02-17T12:39:17Z
• Authors: Li Zhang; Jian Zhang; Suqing Liu; Zhengzhou Shi; Yijian Zhu; Min Jiang; Leihong Xiang
• Keywords: Glycyrrhizin; Vitiligo; Tolerability

ABSTRACT Childhood vitiligo, distinct from its adult counterpart, presents unique treatment challenges. Glycyrrhizin inhibits the release of high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein keratinocytes, preventing melanocyte apoptosis and autophagy. Furthermore, orally administered compound glycyrrhizin (OCG) effectively treats various autoimmune disorders, demonstrating long‐term efficacy, safety, tolerability. This study compared efficacy OCG oral prednisone (OP), followed by phototherapy, in patients with progressive childhood vitiligo at 52 weeks' follow‐up. Fifty children were randomized into two groups according to treatment: (50–150 mg/day) phototherapy ( n = 25) OP (5–10 25). At Week 24, a halt disease progression (HDP) was observed 20 (80%) 21 (84%) group, no significant difference p > 0.99) . However, mean time achieve HDP significantly shorter than (14.73 ± 4.84 vs. 19.13 4.82 weeks; < 0.01). In addition, serum HMGB1 concentrations reduced after 24 (3.02 0.83 0.95 0.36 ng/mL [ 0.01]; OP, 2.79 0.16 1.03 0.34 0.01]). The decline Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score end follow‐up (i.e., 52) did not show statistically between (52.31% 14.86% 55.71% 21.23%; 0.55). therapeutic response clinical markers good comparable groups. demonstrated similar controlling activity promoting repigmentation weeks Trial Registration: ChiCTR2400086844