Efficacy and safety of lactoferrin based cream (SiraciltTM acne) in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris – a randomized, comparative and pilot study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20253373Keywords:
Acne vulgaris, Azelaic acid, Clindamycin, Lactoferrin, Niacinamide, Siracilt™Abstract
Background: This pilot study was planned to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Siracilt™ Acne (lactoferrin, azelaic acid, and niacinamide) cream and compare it with azelaic acid cream and clindamycin gel in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Methods: This study was a randomized, open-label active controlled, parallel group clinical trial. A total of 80 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris [investigator global assessment (IGA) score, 2 or 3] were randomized to receive Siracilt™ Acne cream, azelaic acid 10% cream, azelaic acid 20% cream, and clindamycin 1% gel for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved treatment success (IGA score, 0 or 1 and/or at least a 2-point reduction in IGA score) after 4 weeks. Secondary efficacy endpoints included a percentage reduction of total lesions and a change in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory lesions after 4 weeks.
Results: After 4 weeks, the proportion of patients achieving treatment success in the Siracilt™ Acne group was 65%; while it was 0%, 10%, and 0% in azelaic acid 10%, azelaic acid 20%, and clindamycin 1% groups, respectively. The percentage reduction in the number of total acne lesions after 4 weeks was 62.1%, 27.2%, 46.6%, and 25.1% with Siracilt™ Acne cream, azelaic acid 10% cream, azelaic acid 20% cream, and clindamycin 1% gel, respectively. Similar results were observed for change in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory lesions after 4 weeks. Overall, the treatments were safe and well tolerated.
Conclusions: In conclusion, Siracilt™ Acne cream demonstrated superior efficacy compared to azelaic acid and clindamycin in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Metrics
References
Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, Cook-bolden F, Desai SR, Druby KM, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-e30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017
Ward PP, Paz E, Conneely OM. Multifunctional roles of lactoferrin: a critical overview. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2005;62(22):2540-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-005-5369-8
Håversen H, Ohlsson BG, Hahn-Zoric M, Hanson LA, Mattsby-Baltzer I. Lactoferrin down-regulates the LPS-induced cytokine production in monocytic cells via NF-kappa B. Cell Immunol. 2002;220(2):83-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8749(03)00006-6
Machnicki M, Zimecki M, Zagulski T. Lactoferrin regulates the release of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 in vivo. Int J Exp Pathol. 1993;74(5):433-9.
Crouch SP, Slater KJ, Fletcher J. Regulation of cytokine release from mononuclear cells by the iron-binding protein lactoferrin. Blood. 1992;80(1):235-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V80.1.235.bloodjournal801235
Kim J, Ko Y, Park YK, Kim NI, Ha WK, Cho Y. Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris. Nutrition. 2010;26(9):902‐9.
Mueller EA, Trapp S, Frentzel A, Kirch W, Brantl V. Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(4):793-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1185/03007995.2011.557720
Chan H, Chan G, Santos J, Dee K, Co JK. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of lactoferrin with vitamin E and zinc as an oral therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol. 2017;56(6):686-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13607
Guidance for Industry. Acne Vulgaris: Developing Drugs for Treatment. US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), September 2005. Available from: https://downloads.regulations.gov/FDA-1975-N-0012-0317/attachment_250.pdf. Accessed on 3 July 2025.
Graupe K, Cunliffe WJ, Gollnick HP, Zaumseil RP. Efficacy and safety of topical azelaic acid (20 percent cream): an overview of results from European clinical trials and experimental reports. Cutis. 1996;57(1):20-35.
Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006;8(2):96-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170600717704
Grange PA, Raingeaud J, Calvez V, Dupin N. Nicotinamide inhibits Propionibacterium acnes-induced IL-8 production in keratinocytes through the NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways. J Dermatol Sci. 2009;56(2):106-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2009.08.001
Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, Sofman MS, Chalker DK. Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol. 1995;34(6):434-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4362.1995.tb04449.x
Khodaeiani E, Fouladi RF, Amirnia M, Saeidi M, Karimi ER. Topical 4% nicotinamide versus 1% clindamycin in moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(8):999-1004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.12002
Shahmoradi Z, Iraji F, Siadat AH, Ghorbaini A. Comparison of topical 5% nicotinamid gel versus 2% clindamycin gel in the treatment of the mild-moderate acne vulgaris: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2013;18(2):115-7.
Kim J, Ko Y, Park YK, Kim NI, Ha WK, Cho Y. Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris. Nutrition. 2010;26(9):902-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2010.05.011
Iraji F, Sadeghinia A, Shahmoradi Z, Siadat AH, Jooya A. Efficacy of topical azelaic acid gel in the treatment of mild-moderate acne vulgaris. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007;73(2):94-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.31892
Tabari ST, Nia AAM, Hajian K, Moeinzadeh A. Comparison of the effect of azelaic acid 20% and clindamycin 1% in the treatment of mild and moderate acne. Iran J Dermatol. 2009;12:106-10.