• Prestigious researchers across the globe praise Dr Azmi Mohammad Mustafa, of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, following his discovery of the effects of antioxidative plant extract PolypodiumLeucotomos on sufferers of Vitiligo
• Around two per cent of the world’s popiular has vitiligo, a disease which causes white patches on the skin
• Dr Azmi Mohammad Mustafa was nominated for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences.

A UAE doctor has created a new ‘wonder cream’ for sufferers of skin disease Vitiligo – an illness recognised as far back as 1400BC - after discovering effects of a plant grown in tropical climates, following twenty years of extensive research.

Dr Azmi Mohammad Mustafa, of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, witnessed astonishing results from a clinical trial during which patients suffering from the skin disease both orally and topically received the plant extract and, in recognition of his discovery and findings, Dr Azmi was nominated for the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences.

A skin disease affecting 2% of world population

Around two per cent of the world’s population has vitiligo, a disease which causes white patches on the skin. There are a variety of treatments available but often these therapies are not effective.  Patients with vitiligo develop white spots on the skin that vary in size and location. The spots occur when pigment cells, or melanocytes, are destroyed and the pigment melanin can no longer be produced.

Even though most people with vitiligo are in good general health, they face a greater risk of having hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (increased or decreased thyroid function), pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency), Addison's disease (decreased adrenal function), alopecia areata (round patches of hair loss), and/or uveitis (inflammation of the eyes).

Dr Azmi explains: “Melanin is the substance that normally determines the color of skin, hair, and eyes. This pigment is produced in cells called melanocytes. If melanocytes cannot form melanin or if their number decreases, skin color will become lighter or completely white as in vitiligo. The pigmentary disorder suffered by vitiligo patients has an important social and psychological impact, especially for dark-skinned people.”

A distressing disease

“The precise cause of vitiligo is still not known. A combination of genetic, immunologic and environmental factors is involved in most cases. Many people report pigment loss shortly after a severe sunburn, while others relate their onset of vitiligo to emotional trauma associated with an accident, death in the family, or divorce,” explains Dr Azmi.

“Many individuals with vitiligo are distressed because of their uneven skin color. It is difficult for people who do not have vitiligo to appreciate the significance of this problem. Individuals with vitiligo benefit from talking to, and sharing experiences with, other people with the disease”, he recommends.

Lack of effective treatment

Treatment for Vitiligo has previously been limited. Repigmentation – which involves taking new pigment cells from the base of hair follicles, from the edge of the lesion, or from the patch of vitiligo itself if depigmentation is not complete - is limited in that the maximum amount of repigmentation that can be expected in any one spot in a year of treatment is an eighth to a quarter of an inch.

Sufferers can also use Hydrocortisone-type compounds which, when applied to the skin, slow the process of depigmentation and sometimes enhance repigmentation. However, these are only available by available by prescription as cortisone ointments or creams sold over the counter are too weak to be effective. Plus, when potent cortisones are used daily for a long time, they may produce side effects such as thinning of the skin

Phototherapy methods can also be used to induce repigmentation of the skin, which involves exposing the skin to a narrow-band UVB light source, which can be done in a doctor's office or using home phototherapy units.  Even for these patients, complete repigmentation rarely occurs.

A miraculous plant grown in tropical latitudes

Dr Azmi explains the history of the plant: “I have seen that most cases of vitiligo respond marvellously well to treatment with Polypodium Leucotomos. This fern is grown in tropical latitudes and is commercialised in Spain by several laboratories, as tablets or capsules. In recent years, the immunoregulatory effects of this fern and its capacity to stimulate melanin-producing cells have been proven. This P.L. therapy, together with ultraviolet radiation, is useful in the repigmentation of vitiligo macules, obtaining good (over 50% of the surface repigmented) or excellent results in 60% of cases studied.

“P.L., commonly known as Kalawalla, has been used for centuries to relieve inflammatory complaints and some skin disorders. However, its use in modern medicine is very recent. At present, it is used empirically as therapy for other complaints such as atopical dermatitis and some cases of psoriasis,” Dr Azmi concludes.