Dihydroartemisinin for treating acne vulgaris
A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Dihydroartemisinin on Acne Vulgaris
This study will test whether taking dihydroartemisinin every day for three months can reduce acne severity in adults with acne vulgaris.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality) |
| Trial ID | NCT07007078 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults clinically diagnosed with acne vulgaris will take oral dihydroartemisinin daily for three months and return to the clinic once monthly for checkups and tests. The primary outcome is whether acne severity improves by at least one grade after treatment. Key exclusions include recent use of systemic or topical acne medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and serious heart, liver, kidney disease or malignancy. This is an early phase 1 interventional trial conducted at a single center to gather preliminary safety and efficacy signals.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults clinically diagnosed with acne vulgaris who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and who have not used systemic acne medications in the past three months or topical acne treatments in the past two weeks.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have recent systemic or topical acne treatments, or have severe heart, liver, kidney disease or cancer may not be eligible or likely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, dihydroartemisinin could provide a new oral option that reduces acne severity over a three-month course.
How similar studies have performed: Use of dihydroartemisinin for acne is relatively novel, with limited clinical evidence but some preclinical data suggesting antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically diagnosed with acne vulgaris; * For female patients, no pregnancy plans within the next 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have used sex hormones or other systemic medications for acne treatment within the past 3 months; * Patients who have used topical medications for acne within the past 2 weeks; * Pregnant or breastfeeding women; * Patients with known severe diseases of vital organs (e.g., heart, liver, kidney) or malignancies.
Where this trial is running
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University — Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jingjing JIANG, MD, PhD — Fudan University
- Study coordinator: Lujuan GAO, MD, PhD
- Email: gao.lujuan@zs-hospital.sh.cn
- Phone: 86-021-64041990
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.