Pigmentum^TM is the commercial name of an herbal treatment for Vitiligo. This paper summarizes the findings of the extensive research project that lead to the development of Pigmentum^TM.

Method

The research project comprised of the following stages:

1. The current patient profiles of Caucasian and Hispanic Vitiligo sufferers in the USA were analyzed based on a sample of 200 patients.

2. The past experience of the patients with sixteen current commercial treatments was analyzed.

3. Efficacy tests were carried out on the sixteen commercial products using the same sample group.

4. Product providers were asked specific questions about their products.

5. Results of steps 2, 3 and 4 were combined to achieve an accurate analysis of the current products and their usefulness to Caucasian and Hispanic skin types in treating Vitiligo.

6. Formulations with some promise were identified based on the results.

7. Further testing and research was conducted in increasing the effectiveness of identified formulations for Caucasian and Hispanic skin types.

8. Two separate products were formulated in the end; Pigmentum Plus^TM for Caucasian Skin and Pigment Pro^TM for Hispanic Skin.

 

Patient Survey 

 

1. The patients were asked how long they have had Vitiligo for. The response was as follows:

 

2. The patients were asked how severe their condition was. The response was as follows:

 

 

 

3. The patients were asked if they had tried any of the 16 commercial treatments identified. The response was as follows:

4. The patients were asked if they had seen any improvement through the treatments. The response was as follows:

 

 

 

Product Survey

 

The product providers were asked if they recognized the difference between various skin types as shown in numerous medical research publications. None of the providers were aware of any such research.

The product providers were asked if they had any research data to substantiate their claims. Only three out of sixteen were able to show some kind of formal research.

Those who were able to show research were asked if their products had ever been tested in Caucasian or Hispanic skin types. None of them gave a positive response.

The product providers were asked if they would be interested in having their products formally tested amongst real patients for efficacy. All responded positively, though none, except four, were willing to share any cost.

Out of our pool of 200 patients, 10 patients were assigned to each treatment making the total number of participants 16. Out of the 10 patients, 6 had Caucasian skin while 4 had Hispanic. Each treatment was followed according to the provider�s directions and for the period they specified. On completion of course, the results were as follows:

The results were categorized as condition worsened, no improvement, very little improvement, little improvement, moderate improvement, good improvement, very good improvement and complete recovery.

 

Survey and Product Testing Analysis

Based on the survey information from the patients along with the proprietary testing carried out on our sample of 160 patients, all products that displayed �little improvement� or more were identified for further enhancement. The past experience analysis of patients qualified 17 out of 160 patients while product testing qualified 20 out of 160 patients. 15 patients were common amongst the two groups.

A striking fact was that these 15 patients belonged to only two product-testing groups. In other words, only two products produced little or more improvement amongst Caucasian and Hispanic skin types. These products were:

1. An oral herbal treatment that comes in tablet forms and is based on the Greek (Unani) herbal medicine system.

2. A homeopathic remedy consumed orally in liquid form with water.

(Confidentiality laws prevent disclosure of the two product names.)

Out of the 15 patients with successful results, 8 were Hispanic and 7 Caucasian.

Other major findings are as follows:

1. Most current products are geared towards treating Vitiligo in Asian (including Arab and Chinese) skin types.

2. None of the treatments recognize the difference in pigmentation patterns of White (Caucasian), Asian and Hispanic skin types.

3. Fourteen out of sixteen current treatments are totally ineffective in Caucasian and Hispanic skin types.

4. Out of the two promising products, the homeopathic treatment gave moderate results while the Unani treatment stood out as far better.

5. Chinese (TCM) treatments were found to be completely ineffective.

6. Topical treatments available failed to produce any results while both treatments that showed some promise were to be taken orally through the mouth.

 

Product Development

The Unani treatment was singled out for further testing due to its far better efficacy in Caucasian and Hispanic patients. The treatment was oral and hence worked on all skin areas as opposed to a topical treatment that can only work on the area covered.

After allowing a period of three months to elapse from the previous testing, the sample patients were contacted again for testing our chosen treatment. 150 patients volunteered to participate (83 Caucasian and 67 Hispanic). The product was tested for four months as prescribed. At the end of four months, the results achieved were as follows:  

The seven ingredients of the product were tested independently in groups of 10 patients each. The results were as follows:  

Three additional ingredients were then tested. The results were as follows:  

 

 

The three new ingredients were then blended together with ingredients 3, 5 and 6 and the formulation was then tested in oral tablet form on 100 patients. The results achieved were as follows:  

Not only the efficacy was greatly improved but also significant results were achieved in only two months.