Comparison of Lindioil (Indigo Naturalis Oil Extract) Ointment to Protopic® Ointment 0.1% in Treating Atopic Dermatitis
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Lindioil (Indigo Naturalis Oil Extract) Ointment to Protopic® (Tacrolimus 0.1%) Ointment in Treating Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Evaluator-blind, Crossover, Active-Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
22
1 country
2
Brief Summary
The aims of this study are:
- 1.Compare the efficacy of Lindioil ointment and Protopic® ointment in treating atopic dermatitis.
- 2.Compare the safety of Lindioil ointment and Protopic® ointment in treating atopic dermatitis.
- 3.Compare the time to relapse after ceasing of treatment of Lindioil ointment and Protopic® ointment.
- 4.Compare the change of skin microbiome before and after Lindioil ointment and Protopic® ointment treatment.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at below P25 for phase_2
Started Jun 2019
2 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
July 31, 2018
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 3, 2018
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
June 3, 2019
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 1, 2021
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 6, 2021
CompletedFebruary 10, 2023
February 1, 2023
2.5 years
July 31, 2018
February 8, 2023
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
The mean percentage change from baseline to the end of week 6 of Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores (range 0-72), for each of the two 6-week treatment periods.
The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) is used to measure the disease severity of erythema, infiltration/papulation, excoriation, and lichenification each on a scale of 0 to 3 (none to severe) as well as the percentage of disease area on a scale of 0 to 6 for the 4 body regions: head ⁄ neck, upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs. Each body region score is calculated by multiplying the disease severity score by the disease area score and by the multiplier, 0.1 for head/neck, 0.2 for upper limbs, 0.3 for trunk, and 0.4 for lower limbs. The scores are summed to give the total EASI score, ranging from 0 to a maximum 72.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
Secondary Outcomes (9)
Proportion of participants who have achieved a 50%, 75% and 90% improvement in EASI scores (EASI-50, EASI-75 and EASI-90, respectively) at the end of week 6 of each treatment period.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
Proportion of participants with an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA, 0-5) score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) at the end of week 6 of each treatment period.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
The mean percentage change from baseline to the end of week 6 of the Body Surface Area (BSA, range 0%-100%) affected by AD, for each of the two 6-week treatment periods.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
Number of days until relapse to IGA ≥ 2, after ceasing treatment, for subjects who achieved IGA 0 or 1 at the end of week 6 of each treatment period.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
The change from baseline to the end of week 6 of Numeric Rating Scale for pruritus (NRS, 0-10), for each of the two 6-week treatment periods.
6-week, 12-week (the end of the second treatment period)
- +4 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Lindioil
EXPERIMENTALLindioil ointment is applied twice daily for 6 weeks, followed by a washout period of 4 days to 8 weeks depending on the results of the first treatment period and the amount of time it takes the participant to relapse to IGA ≥ 2 and less than 1-point of change from baseline1ST IGA. If relapse to IGA ≥ 2 and less than 1-point of change from baseline1ST IGA is achieved, the patient is using Protopic ointment 0.1% twice daily for another 6 weeks. If the criteria for entering the 2nd treatment are not achievable after 8-week of ceasing 1st treatment, the subject will be followed up for another 6 weeks to the end of the study
Protopic
ACTIVE COMPARATORProtopic ointment 0.1% is applied twice daily for 6 weeks, followed by a washout period of 4 days to 8 weeks depending on the results of the first treatment period and the amount of time it takes the participant to relapse to IGA ≥ 2 and less than 1-point of change from baseline1ST IGA. If relapse to IGA ≥ 2 and less than 1-point of change from baseline1ST IGA is achieved, the patient is using Lindioil ointment twice daily for another 6 weeks. If the criteria for entering the 2nd treatment are not achievable after 8-week of ceasing 1st treatment, the subject will be followed up for another 6 weeks to the end of the study
Interventions
Each gram contains 200µg of indirubin. Apply 0.5 g of ointment per 10 cm x 10 cm of affected skin areas twice daily for 6 weeks.
Each gram contains (w/w) 0.1% of tacrolimus. Apply 0.1 g of ointment per 10 cm x 10 cm of affected skin areas twice daily for 6 weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Between 16 and 65 years old, female or male.
- Chronic or sub-acute atopic dermatitis fulfilling the United Kingdom (UK) diagnostic criteria of atopic dermatitis.
- Atopic dermatitis involving 3-40% of BSA at screening and baseline.
- An IGA score of 2 (mild) to 4 (severe) at screening and baseline.
- Not supposed to or unwilling to use corticosteroids.
- Female patients of child-bearing age agree to use effective birth control measures approved by the investigator.
- Agree to avoid natural and artificial sunlight over-exposure during the study.
- Willing to comply with study protocol and agree to sign an informed consent form
You may not qualify if:
- Acute atopic dermatitis or concurrence of viral or bacterial infection on dermatitis lesion(s).
- A history of topical or systematic hypersensitivity to indigo naturalis, tacrolimus, or the excipient(s) in the ointment(s).
- Having received systemic therapy (e.g. immunosuppressive agents) within 14 days, or phototherapy (e.g.
- ultraviolet B (UVB), psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA)) within 42 days before the first application of the study medication.
- Having used topical therapy (e.g. corticosteroids) for dermatitis within 4 days before the first application of the study medication.
- Having a significant concurrent disease such as severe uncontrolled chronic disease (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic arthritis, hyperthyroidism), psychiatric disease, cancer or AIDS.
- Having significant abnormal liver or renal function (Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>3 x upper limit of normal (ULN), creatinine \>2.0 mg/dl) or clinically significant abnormal hematological lab result, according to investigator's judgment, on the safety lab test to be performed within 30 days before the baseline visit.
- Women who are lactating, pregnant or planning to be pregnant during the study.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (2)
Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Taipei, 10507, Taiwan
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Taoyuan District, 33305, Taiwan
Related Publications (30)
Al-Daraji WI, Grant KR, Ryan K, Saxton A, Reynolds NJ. Localization of calcineurin/NFAT in human skin and psoriasis and inhibition of calcineurin/NFAT activation in human keratinocytes by cyclosporin A. J Invest Dermatol. 2002 May;118(5):779-88. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01709.x.
PMID: 11982754BACKGROUNDCaproni M, Torchia D, Antiga E, Terranova M, Volpi W, del Bianco E, D'Agata A, Fabbri P. The comparative effects of tacrolimus and hydrocortisone in adult atopic dermatitis: an immunohistochemical study. Br J Dermatol. 2007 Feb;156(2):312-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07609.x.
PMID: 17223872BACKGROUNDSimon D, Vassina E, Yousefi S, Kozlowski E, Braathen LR, Simon HU. Reduced dermal infiltration of cytokine-expressing inflammatory cells in atopic dermatitis after short-term topical tacrolimus treatment. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Oct;114(4):887-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.05.066.
PMID: 15480330BACKGROUNDFurukawa H, Nakamura K, Zheng X, Tojo M, Oyama N, Akiba H, Nishibu A, Kaneko F, Tsunemi Y, Saeki H, Tamaki K. Enhanced TARC production by dust-mite allergens and its modulation by immunosuppressive drugs in PBMCs from patients with atopic dermatitis. J Dermatol Sci. 2004 Jun;35(1):35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2004.02.008.
PMID: 15194145BACKGROUNDChang KT, Lin HY, Kuo CH, Hung CH. Tacrolimus suppresses atopic dermatitis-associated cytokines and chemokines in monocytes. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2016 Jun;49(3):409-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2014.07.006. Epub 2014 Oct 12.
PMID: 25315214BACKGROUNDVukmanovic-Stejic M, McQuaid A, Birch KE, Reed JR, Macgregor C, Rustin MH, Akbar AN. Relative impact of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and tacrolimus on inhibition of T-cell proliferation in patients with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;153(4):750-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06675.x.
PMID: 16181456BACKGROUNDLan CC, Kao YH, Huang SM, Yu HS, Chen GS. FK506 independently upregulates transforming growth factor beta and downregulates inducible nitric oxide synthase in cultured human keratinocytes: possible mechanisms of how tacrolimus ointment interacts with atopic skin. Br J Dermatol. 2004 Sep;151(3):679-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06109.x.
PMID: 15377358BACKGROUNDPaller AS, Lebwohl M, Fleischer AB Jr, Antaya R, Langley RG, Kirsner RS, Blum RR, Rico MJ, Jaracz E, Crowe A, Linowski GJ; US/Canada Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group. Tacrolimus ointment is more effective than pimecrolimus cream with a similar safety profile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: results from 3 randomized, comparative studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 May;52(5):810-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2004.12.038.
PMID: 15858471BACKGROUNDBreneman D, Fleischer AB Jr, Abramovits W, Zeichner J, Gold MH, Kirsner RS, Shull TF, Crowe AW, Jaracz E, Hanifin JM; Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group. Intermittent therapy for flare prevention and long-term disease control in stabilized atopic dermatitis: a randomized comparison of 3-times-weekly applications of tacrolimus ointment versus vehicle. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Jun;58(6):990-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.02.008. Epub 2008 Mar 21.
PMID: 18359127BACKGROUNDLin YK, Chang CJ, Chang YC, Wong WR, Chang SC, Pang JH. Clinical assessment of patients with recalcitrant psoriasis in a randomized, observer-blind, vehicle-controlled trial using indigo naturalis. Arch Dermatol. 2008 Nov;144(11):1457-64. doi: 10.1001/archderm.144.11.1457.
PMID: 19015420BACKGROUNDLin YK, Chang YC, Hui RC, See LC, Chang CJ, Yang CH, Huang YH. A Chinese Herb, Indigo Naturalis, Extracted in Oil (Lindioil) Used Topically to Treat Psoriatic Nails: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Jun;151(6):672-4. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.5460. No abstract available.
PMID: 25738921BACKGROUNDLin YK, See LC, Huang YH, Chang YC, Tsou TC, Lin TY, Lin NL. Efficacy and safety of Indigo naturalis extract in oil (Lindioil) in treating nail psoriasis: a randomized, observer-blind, vehicle-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2014 Jun 15;21(7):1015-20. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2014.02.013. Epub 2014 Mar 26.
PMID: 24680615BACKGROUNDLin YK, See LC, Huang YH, Chi CC, Hui RC. Comparison of indirubin concentrations in indigo naturalis ointment for psoriasis treatment: a randomized, double-blind, dosage-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Jan;178(1):124-131. doi: 10.1111/bjd.15894. Epub 2017 Dec 14.
PMID: 28815560BACKGROUNDHoessel R, Leclerc S, Endicott JA, Nobel ME, Lawrie A, Tunnah P, Leost M, Damiens E, Marie D, Marko D, Niederberger E, Tang W, Eisenbrand G, Meijer L. Indirubin, the active constituent of a Chinese antileukaemia medicine, inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases. Nat Cell Biol. 1999 May;1(1):60-7. doi: 10.1038/9035.
PMID: 10559866BACKGROUNDMarko D, Schatzle S, Friedel A, Genzlinger A, Zankl H, Meijer L, Eisenbrand G. Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) by indirubin derivatives in human tumour cells. Br J Cancer. 2001 Jan;84(2):283-9. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2000.1546.
PMID: 11161389BACKGROUNDSethi G, Ahn KS, Sandur SK, Lin X, Chaturvedi MM, Aggarwal BB. Indirubin enhances tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis through modulation of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. J Biol Chem. 2006 Aug 18;281(33):23425-35. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M602627200. Epub 2006 Jun 19.
PMID: 16785236BACKGROUNDKunikata T, Tatefuji T, Aga H, Iwaki K, Ikeda M, Kurimoto M. Indirubin inhibits inflammatory reactions in delayed-type hypersensitivity. Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Dec 20;410(1):93-100. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00879-7.
PMID: 11134660BACKGROUNDCheng HM, Wu YC, Wang Q, Song M, Wu J, Chen D, Li K, Wadman E, Kao ST, Li TC, Leon F, Hayden K, Brodmerkel C, Chris Huang C. Clinical efficacy and IL-17 targeting mechanism of Indigo naturalis as a topical agent in moderate psoriasis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Sep 2;17(1):439. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1947-1.
PMID: 28865459BACKGROUNDLin YK, Chen HW, Leu YL, Yang YL, Fang Y, Su Pang JH, Hwang TL. Indigo naturalis upregulates claudin-1 expression in human keratinocytes and psoriatic lesions. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jan 30;145(2):614-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.044. Epub 2012 Dec 7.
PMID: 23220199BACKGROUNDLin YK, Leu YL, Yang SH, Chen HW, Wang CT, Pang JH. Anti-psoriatic effects of indigo naturalis on the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes with indirubin as the active component. J Dermatol Sci. 2009 Jun;54(3):168-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2009.02.007. Epub 2009 Mar 19.
PMID: 19303259BACKGROUNDChang HN, Pang JH, Yang SH, Hung CF, Chiang CH, Lin TY, Lin YK. Inhibitory effect of indigo naturalis on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Molecules. 2010 Sep 14;15(9):6423-35. doi: 10.3390/molecules15096423.
PMID: 20877233BACKGROUNDChiang YR, Li A, Leu YL, Fang JY, Lin YK. An in vitro study of the antimicrobial effects of indigo naturalis prepared from Strobilanthes formosanus Moore. Molecules. 2013 Nov 21;18(11):14381-96. doi: 10.3390/molecules181114381.
PMID: 24284490BACKGROUNDLin YK, Chen HW, Yang SH, Leu YL, Huang YH, Yen HC. Protective effect of indigo naturalis extract against oxidative stress in cultured human keratinocytes. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Feb 15;139(3):893-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.037. Epub 2011 Dec 27.
PMID: 22212506BACKGROUNDLin YK, Leu YL, Huang TH, Wu YH, Chung PJ, Su Pang JH, Hwang TL. Anti-inflammatory effects of the extract of indigo naturalis in human neutrophils. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Aug 17;125(1):51-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.06.014. Epub 2009 Jun 25.
PMID: 19559779BACKGROUNDKong HH, Oh J, Deming C, Conlan S, Grice EA, Beatson MA, Nomicos E, Polley EC, Komarow HD; NISC Comparative Sequence Program; Murray PR, Turner ML, Segre JA. Temporal shifts in the skin microbiome associated with disease flares and treatment in children with atopic dermatitis. Genome Res. 2012 May;22(5):850-9. doi: 10.1101/gr.131029.111. Epub 2012 Feb 6.
PMID: 22310478BACKGROUNDReitamo S, Ortonne JP, Sand C, Cambazard F, Bieber T, Folster-Holst R, Vena G, Bos JD, Fabbri P, Groenhoej Larsen C; European Tacrolimus Ointment Study Group. A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled study of long-term treatment with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Jun;152(6):1282-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06592.x.
PMID: 15948994BACKGROUNDByrd AL, Deming C, Cassidy SKB, Harrison OJ, Ng WI, Conlan S; NISC Comparative Sequencing Program; Belkaid Y, Segre JA, Kong HH. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strain diversity underlying pediatric atopic dermatitis. Sci Transl Med. 2017 Jul 5;9(397):eaal4651. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aal4651.
PMID: 28679656BACKGROUNDMeylan P, Lang C, Mermoud S, Johannsen A, Norrenberg S, Hohl D, Vial Y, Prod'hom G, Greub G, Kypriotou M, Christen-Zaech S. Skin Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus Precedes the Clinical Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis in Infancy. J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Dec;137(12):2497-2504. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.07.834. Epub 2017 Aug 24.
PMID: 28842320BACKGROUNDFukushima H, Hirano T, Shibayama N, Miwa K, Ito T, Saito M, Sumida H, Oyake S, Tsuboi R, Oka K. The role of immune response to Staphylococcus aureus superantigens and disease severity in relation to the sensitivity to tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2006;141(3):281-9. doi: 10.1159/000095298. Epub 2006 Aug 23.
PMID: 16931890BACKGROUNDYang CY, Chen CB, Lu CW, Chi MH, Wu J, Chung WH, Lee BH, Lin YK. Efficacy and safety of indigo naturalis oil extract (Lindioil ointment) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a randomized, crossover, evaluator-blinded, controlled trial. Front Pharmacol. 2025 Jul 8;16:1546589. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1546589. eCollection 2025.
PMID: 40697652DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Yin-Ku Lin, MD., PhD.
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 2
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- CROSSOVER
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
July 31, 2018
First Posted
August 3, 2018
Study Start
June 3, 2019
Primary Completion
December 1, 2021
Study Completion
December 6, 2021
Last Updated
February 10, 2023
Record last verified: 2023-02