Kukui nut oil to be tested in psoriasis study
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
Researchers at the University of Hawai'i are looking for 30 people with mildly itchy skin to test a new theory that kukui nut oil may reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, a skin disease that afflicts up to 9 million Americans.
"There have been anecdotal reports from psoriasis patients visiting Hawai'i who purchased kukui nut oil here and claim it helped reduce the severity of their lesions," said Amy Brown, assistant professor of nutrition and principal investigator.
The study is a cooperative effort of the department of human nutrition, food and animal sciences, and the John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Brown received a $39,500 grant from the Hawai'i Community Foundation to pursue the clinical trial and is recruiting adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who have mild psoriasis covering about 15 percent of their bodies. Interested people may e-mail Brown at amybrown@hawaii.edu or call 956-3846.
Patients involved will receive free care for the 12-week study that includes seven physician visits, free oil and up to $150 for their time, said Brown. Dermatologist Dr. Douglas W. Johnson, his nurse practitioner Nicole Semaskvich and associate professor David Lally in the physiology department are co-principal investigators.
Patients are asked to get approval from their personal physicians to stop other medications during the trial, Brown said.
The group will be divided in two, with half using kukui oil on lesions over their body and the other half using a placebo oil. They will be evaluated every two weeks using the Psoriasis Area and Sensitivity Index, the Global Severity Psoriasis Scale and photographs. Patients also will monitor their lesions daily.
"Kukui nut oil has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and very unique ammonia properties, so much so that Mainland cosmetic companies purchase it for their fine cosmetic lines," said Brown. "Because of the emollient properties of kukui nut oil, if you put it into a cream, it rolls over your skin like silk."
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
