Varanasi, Jan 27 (IANS) Chickpeas hold the cure for leukoderma, a
chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in white
spots or patches on the skin, claim scientists of the Banaras Hindu
University (BHU).In a research project undertaken jointly by the
varsity’s medicinal chemistry and skin departments, scientists have
found that application of a poly-herbal ointment with chickpeas as its
base can efficiently treat leucoderma or vitiligo, controlling the
spread of the skin disease that is widely feared for the unsightly white
patches it produces.
“The results were encouraging,” said an
elated Yamini Tripathi, a professor with BHU’s medicinal chemistry
department and a member of the research team, told IANS.
The
chickpea therapy has been tried on 50 patients, who got “considerable
relief from the skin disorder”, added Tripathi, who has now approached
the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a major research
project on vitiligo treatment.
According to the researchers,
patients who applied the chickpea-based cream on affected parts of the
skin for 20-90 days found their normal skin pigmentation had returned.
In the fastest cure, a young scooter mechanic here saw the white patches disappear within 28 days.
“Such
a speedy result surprised even us. When we asked for his feedback, he
said during his treatment he included a good amount of chickpeas in his
regular diet,” said Tripathi.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in
which the body starts producing antibodies that destroy cells known as
melanocytes that give the skin its normal colour. Gradually, the
affected areas of the skin turn white, which is one of the most common
symptoms of vitiligo.
BHU researchers say that the anti-vitiligo ointment derives its potency from amino acids found in chickpeas.
“Amino
acids found in chickpeas promote synthesis of melanin (skin pigment)
formation cells, regenerates the pigment cells and help in treating the
chronic skin disorder,” said Tripathi.
In vitiligo patients, white
patches are more obvious in sun-exposed areas, including arms, legs,
face and lips. Other common areas for white patches to appear are the
armpits and groin, around mouth and eyes.
S.N. Ojha, a doctor who
is also the member of the research team, said that at present there is
no definite method to prevent vitiligo. “It is heartening that our
chickpea therapy can offer a promising and cost-effective treatment,” he
added.
(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)
