The efficacy of topical use of petroselinum crispum (parsley) versus hydroquinone cream for reduction of epidermal melasma: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentation disorder. The treatment of melasma with conventional drugs causes complications in patients. This study was conducted to compare the effect of the topical use of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) with that of 4% hydroquinone cream on reduction of the severity of epidermal melasma. Materials and Methods: This double blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2014-2015 in Iran The melasma area and severity index (MASI) were used to determine the severity of melasma. 27 patients in the control group received 4% hydroquinone cream (Eldopaque/Eldoqin), and 27 patients in the case group received Petroselinum crispum brewed every night for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test in the SPSS software (version 20). Results: Mean age of the participants was 32 years (range: 19-55 years). Mean severity of melasma decreased from 6.66 to 4.92 (p=0.002) in the case group receiving parsley, and from 6.68 to 5.06 (p=0.000) in the control group receiving hydroquinone. The decrease in severity was statistically significant in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the severity of melasma after the intervention (p=0.858). Conclusion: A similar positive response was found to both treatments with hydroquinone and parsley. Although further studies are needed in this regard, it seems that the topical use of parsley may merit the attention of nurses and other medical professionals as a costeffective therapeutic method that causes fewer complications and improves the self-image of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]