Sir,
We thank you for the valuable additional information[1] provided regarding the photo protective value of dietary botanicals.[2] As you have mentioned clinical trials are needed to validate the effects of these dietary supplements in photoprotection. A recent trial conducted in our center regarding the effect of oral and topical turmeric in photoprotection concluded that this agent raised the minimal erythema dose in most of the patients but did not offer significant photoprotection.[3] We believe further such trials with other dietary botanicals could bring in more light to this interesting and yet unexplored field of photoprotection.
References
- 1.Bhandari PR. A comment on: “Update on photoprotection”. Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58:145. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.108058. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Rai R, Shanmuga SC, Srinivas CR. Update on photoprotection. Indian J Dermatol. 2012;57:335–42. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.100472. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Kumaresan M, Srinivas CR. Effect of turmeric in lowering the minimal erythema dose and minimal pigmentary dose following broad band ultraviolet-B exposure. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011;77:713–4. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.86493. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
