Case series in patients with zoster-associated pain using Mangifera indica L. extract.

BACKGROUND

Neuroimmune activation has been proposed as a source of new targets for therapeutic intervention in neuropathic pain. Vimang® is an aqueous extract from Mangifera indica L. (common mango) that is traditionally used in Cuba for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties. In the present case report, we determine its potential effects in patients with zoster-associated pain.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

12 patients with zoster-associated pain (6 with subacute herpetic neuralgia and 6 with post-herpetic neuralgia) received a daily dose of 1,800 mg of extract (2 coated 300 mg tablets, 3 times daily before meals) together with low doses of amitriptyline (10-25 mg/day) for 120 days. In addition to the tablets, patients used Vimang® cream 1.2% as a topical agent. The average daily pain score using the Likert scale, area and rate of dynamic allodynia, rate of thermal allodynia, and frequency of burning spontaneous pain were evaluated.

RESULTS

Pain scores and sensory abnormalities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with respect to baseline data from week 4. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Vimang® could be beneficial in the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, a controlled clinical trial is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.