Mashhad Razavi Hospital Razavi Journal of Medicine 3115-753X 14 4 2026 10 01 Efficacy and Safety of a Standardized Herbal Topical Formulation Containing Dorema ammoniacum for Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial 64 75 118637 10.30483/rjm.2026.254762.1516 EN Zahra Naseri-Pouryazdi Student Research Committee, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Javad Yazdanpanah Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Roshanak Salari Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Mashhad, Iran 0000-0003-4690-7823 Hamid Heidarian Miri School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Alireza Derakhshan Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 0000-0002-3597-1312 Journal Article 2026 03 24 Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease for which topical corticosteroids remain the most commonly used treatment; however, their long-term use may be limited by adverse effects and tachyphylaxis. In Persian medicine, Dorema ammoniacum (Oshaq) has been used for inflammatory skin conditions, suggesting a potential complementary therapeutic approach. Objective :This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized topical formulation containing Dorema ammoniacum resin, vinegar, and wheat germ oil in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. Methods: As the first double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of this formulation, the study sought to provide high-quality clinical evidence using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as validated outcome measures. Results: For the intervention group, mean PASI score decreased significantly (P = 0.007) from 6.03 to 4.18 by week 8. The placebo group showed no significant change. At week 4 (P = 0.003) and week 8 (P < 0.001), between-group differences were significant. The intervention group's DLQI score decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) from 20.43 to 15.18 by week 8, and significant between-group differences were noted (P ≤ 0.001) favoring the intervention. No serious adverse events were noted. Conclusion: The Oshaq-based topical formulation is significantly better than placebo. It improves the severity of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis and the quality of life of affected patients. Larger studies with extended follow-up and active comparators are needed to assess its therapeutic role further.

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