The efficacy and safety of Makabuhay (Tinospora rumpphi) 25% cream vs hydrocortisone 1% cream in the management of mosquito bite reactions: randomized, double blind controlled trial (Preprint)

Abstract

Most insect bite reactions resolve spontaneously, but the inflammation and pruritus induced have shown to decrease quality of life. Previous studies have shown potential anti-inflammatory properties of Tinospora rumpphi.

To assess the efficacy and safety of Tinospora rumpphi 25% cream versus hydrocortisone 1% cream in the management of local cutaneous reactions caused by mosquito bites.

This was a randomized double-blind study. Participants were exposed to sterile non-infectious mosquito (Aedes aegyptii) for 5-10 minutes to elicit cutaneous lesions. Tinospora 25% cream or hydrocortisone 1% cream were applied twice daily throughout the 7-day study period.

Fifty-eight participants were randomized to receive Tinospora cream (n=29) or hydrocortisone cream (n=29). All participants completed follow-up. There was a significant decrease in lesion size in both groups from the first 15 minutes to day 7 (P=.0001). Comparing the lesion size in both groups, there was a statistically significant decrease in lesion size on the 1st hour (P=.0034) and after 24 hours (P =.0268). On day 1, 10.3% of participants in the hydrocortisone group and 6.9 % in the Tinospora group experienced complete resolution. On day 3, all participants experienced complete resolution. No adverse effects were documented.

Tinospora 25% cream is effective, safe, and comparable to hydrocortisone 1% cream as an anti-inflammatory agent for mosquito bite reactions, based on decrease in lesion size, proportion of participants with complete resolution of wheals and improvement in pruritus intensity score using visual analog scale. Long-term safety studies are recommended.

The study was approved by the Institutional Board Review (IRB Number: 2019-07) of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine.