AcneNCT07076784
Topical Icariin on Acne and Acne Scars
A study testing Icariin in people with Acne and Acne Scars, run by Seoul National University Hospital at 1 site in South Korea.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine whether topical application of icariin can improve acne and atrophic acne scars in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does icariin reduce the number of facial acne lesions and acne scars? What histological changes occur in acne or scar tissue after using… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 39 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Acne, Acne Scars
- What is being tested?
- Icariin
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSouth Korea
- Study dates
- 21 Mar 2023to 31 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 39 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 19 to 39 with inflammatory acne and atrophic acne scars on both sides of the face
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of acne conglobata or acne fulminans
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Presence of systemic diseases or use of medications that may affect acne or scarring
- Presence of psychiatric disorders
- Recent use of isotretinoin within the past 4 months
- Use of other oral or topical acne treatments or anti-acne cosmetics within the past 2 weeks
- Receipt of procedural treatment for acne scars (e.g. chemical peels or energy-based devices) within the past 4 weeks
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: A Study for Evaluating the Effect and Safety of Icariin for Acne and Acne Scars
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine whether topical application of icariin can improve acne and atrophic acne scars in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does icariin reduce the number of facial acne lesions and acne scars?
- What histological changes occur in acne or scar tissue after using icariin? Researchers will compare icariin to a vehicle control (3% ethanol solution) to assess its relative efficacy.
Participants will:
- Apply icariin or control solution to each side of the face twice daily for 2 months
- Visit the clinic every 4 weeks for checkup
- Receive skin biopsies before and after the study period, if they consent to this procedure
Read the detailed description
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic conditions, affecting more than 80-90% of adolescents worldwide. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving excessive sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation. Clinical manifestations range from comedones and papules to pustules and nodules, most frequently appearing on the face. Beyond the physical burden, facial acne induces significant psychosocial distress, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Inflammatory lesions frequently progress to atrophic scars, which persist long term and further intensify psychological morbidity. Studies report acne scarring in up to 95% of patients, with approximately 30% developing scars that are severe enough to require clinical intervention.
Current treatments for atrophic acne scars-such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microneedling, and soft-tissue fillers-entail risks including pain, prolonged downtime, and variable efficacy. Topical pharmacologic agents, including retinoids, offer noninvasive alternatives, but their scar-remodeling effects are limited and may cause irritation or photosensitivity. Because scar formation involves a complex interplay of inflammation, collagen degradation, and impaired wound healing, there remains an unmet need for therapies that are safe, effective, and accessible, capable of addressing both active acne and established scars.
Icariin is a prenylated flavonoid glycoside isolated from Epimedium species (e.g., Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed), traditionally used in oriental medicine as an herbal remedy and dietary tincture. It has demonstrated neuroprotective, cardiovascular, anti-osteoporotic, and antitumor effects, and is considered safe for human consumption. Preclinical evidence indicates that icariin inhibits inflammation, regulates lipid metabolism, suppresses bacterial proliferation, and promotes skin wound healing. Despite these properties, which suggest both anti-acne and pro-remodeling potential, no clinical study to date has evaluated icariin's efficacy in human acne or acne scars.
- Conditions
- Acne, Acne Scars
- Being tested
- Icariin, Vehicle Control
- Keywords
- Icariin
- Medical subject headings
- Acne Vulgaris
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
IcariinDrug
Topical application of 3% icariin solution
Vehicle ControlDrug
Topical application of 3% ethanol solution
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Icariin | Experimental | 3% icariin Receives: Drug: Icariin |
| Control | Placebo comparator | 3% ethanol Receives: Drug: Vehicle Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline in the total number of acne lesions and scars at 8 weeks
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Investigator's global assessment for acne (IGA)
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Scar global assessment (SGA)
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from baseline in ECCA scar grading scale at 8 weeks
The ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné; a French acronym that translates to Clinical Evaluation Scale for Acne Scars in English) is a tool designed to help dermatologists to assess the severity of acne scars. This score ranges from 0 to 540, with higher scores indicating a more severe condition.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from baseline in the number of acne lesions and scars by size and type at 8 weeks
Acne lesions by type (inflammatory and noninflammatory); acne scars by size (small-sized, < 2 mm; medium-sized, 2-4 mm; large-sized, > 4 mm) and type (icepick, boxcar, and rolling)
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jul 2025
- Study start21 Mar 2023
- Primary completion31 Dec 2025
- Study completion31 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AcneStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Seoul National University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Split-face study
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Seoul National University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dae Hun Suh, Seoul National University Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07076784
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SNUH-ICARIIN
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Study for Evaluating the Effect and Safety of Icariin for Acne and Acne Scars
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07076784
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SNUH-ICARIIN
- Conditions
- Acne, Acne Scars
- Keywords
- Icariin
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Seoul National University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine whether topical application of icariin can improve acne and atrophic acne scars in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does icariin reduce the number of facial acne lesions and acne scars?
- What histological changes occur in acne or scar tissue after using icariin? Researchers will compare icariin to a vehicle control (3% ethanol solution) to assess its relative efficacy.
Participants will:
- Apply icariin or control solution to each side of the face twice daily for 2 months
- Visit the clinic every 4 weeks for checkup
- Receive skin biopsies before and after the study period, if they consent to this procedure
Detailed description
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic conditions, affecting more than 80-90% of adolescents worldwide. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving excessive sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation. Clinical manifestations range from comedones and papules to pustules and nodules, most frequently appearing on the face. Beyond the physical burden, facial acne induces significant psychosocial distress, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Inflammatory lesions frequently progress to atrophic scars, which persist long term and further intensify psychological morbidity. Studies report acne scarring in up to 95% of patients, with approximately 30% developing scars that are severe enough to require clinical intervention.
Current treatments for atrophic acne scars-such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, microneedling, and soft-tissue fillers-entail risks including pain, prolonged downtime, and variable efficacy. Topical pharmacologic agents, including retinoids, offer noninvasive alternatives, but their scar-remodeling effects are limited and may cause irritation or photosensitivity. Because scar formation involves a complex interplay of inflammation, collagen degradation, and impaired wound healing, there remains an unmet need for therapies that are safe, effective, and accessible, capable of addressing both active acne and established scars.
Icariin is a prenylated flavonoid glycoside isolated from Epimedium species (e.g., Yin Yang Huo, horny goat weed), traditionally used in oriental medicine as an herbal remedy and dietary tincture. It has demonstrated neuroprotective, cardiovascular, anti-osteoporotic, and antitumor effects, and is considered safe for human consumption. Preclinical evidence indicates that icariin inhibits inflammation, regulates lipid metabolism, suppresses bacterial proliferation, and promotes skin wound healing. Despite these properties, which suggest both anti-acne and pro-remodeling potential, no clinical study to date has evaluated icariin's efficacy in human acne or acne scars.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Split-face study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Icariin | Experimental | Drug: Icariin3% icariin |
| Control | Placebo comparator | Drug: Vehicle Control3% ethanol |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 39 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Adults aged 19 to 39 with inflammatory acne and atrophic acne scars on both sides of the face
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosis of acne conglobata or acne fulminans
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Presence of systemic diseases or use of medications that may affect acne or scarring
- Presence of psychiatric disorders
- Recent use of isotretinoin within the past 4 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| IcariinTopical application of 3% icariin solution | Drug | Icariin |
| Vehicle ControlTopical application of 3% ethanol solution | Drug | Control |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline in the total number of acne lesions and scars at 8 weeks
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
4 secondary outcomes
Investigator's global assessment for acne (IGA)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Scar global assessment (SGA)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from baseline in ECCA scar grading scale at 8 weeks
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change from baseline in the number of acne lesions and scars by size and type at 8 weeks
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Icariin in people with Acne and Acne Scars, run by Seoul National University Hospital at 1 site in South Korea.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in South Korea. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline in the total number of acne lesions and scars at 8 weeks (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Mar 2026.