The Clinical Effect of Phellinus linteus Grown on Germinated Brown Rice in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

소아 아토피 피부염에서 발아현미 상황버섯의 임상적 치료효과

Objective: Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in childhood. Phellinus linteus, an orange color mushroom, has been used as a traditional herb medicine for years. Recent preliminary animal experiments suggest that Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice is effective in chronic inflammatory disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice in the treatment of atopic dermatitis(AD). Methods: 35 patients, 2 to 14 years of age, with mild to moderate AD were treated with Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice powder per oral, $6{\sim}12g$/day adjusted by the body weight, divided three for up to 12 weeks without other treatment. The mean age of patients was 7.3 years. The disease activity has been monitored by objective SCORAD index. The symptom score of the pruritus was measured by using a traditional visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, the global assessments of clinical response were also monitored by patients or their parents. Results: After 12 weeks of the study, significant reductions in mean severity scores and mean symptom scores were observed. The mean objective SCORAD indices of 35 patients decreased from 25.31${\pm}$8.96 to 18.73${\pm}$13.89(p<0.05). And the mean symptom score of pruritus assessment decreased from 7.37${\pm}$1.33 to 4.6${\pm}$2.3(p<0.05). The patient's global assessment of clinical response were also improved through the period of treatment(p<0.05). Conclusions: Phellinus linteusgrown on germinated brown rice may play a role in the treatment of mild and moderate AD in Children.