Adjunctive use of Polypodium leucotomos extract in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria: An exploratory study.

Shetty N, Quiñonez RL, Ceresnie MS, Ghosh S, Lim HW, Mohammad TF

Photochemistry and photobiology2 Mar 2026

PMID41766687PMCIDPMC13575703DOI10.1111/php.70081PepBankPUB-41766687

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).

01HumanNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneNon-randomized trialSafety outcome
In adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria on afamelanotide, no adverse events occurred with adjunctive Polypodium leucotomos extract.
In plain wordsIn adults with EPP on afamelanotide, no side effects were reported after adding a plant extract.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
No significant changeAdverse events
Study
n = 8
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Source sentences
Summary
No adverse events occurred.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective single-center cohort study, eight adults with confirmed EPP or XLP and ongoing symptoms despite regular afamelanotide implants every 2 months were enrolled.
Summary · context
Participants received 480 mg oral PLE daily for 4 months.
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-4176668704
02HumanNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria on afamelanotide, adjunctive Polypodium leucotomos extract improved quality of life at Day 60 versus baseline.
In plain wordsIn adults with EPP on afamelanotide, adding a plant extract improved quality of life at 60 days compared with baseline.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseQuality of life at Day 60
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Quality of life · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Statistically significant improvements in QoL were observed on Day 60 (p = 0.014)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective single-center cohort study, eight adults with confirmed EPP or XLP and ongoing symptoms despite regular afamelanotide implants every 2 months were enrolled.
Summary · context
Participants received 480 mg oral PLE daily for 4 months.
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-4176668701
03HumanNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria on afamelanotide, adjunctive Polypodium leucotomos extract did not significantly change quality of life at Day 120 versus baseline.
In plain wordsIn adults with EPP on afamelanotide, adding a plant extract gave no clear quality of life gain at 120 days compared with baseline.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
No significant changeQuality of life at Day 120
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Quality of life · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
but not at Day 120 (p = 0.152).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective single-center cohort study, eight adults with confirmed EPP or XLP and ongoing symptoms despite regular afamelanotide implants every 2 months were enrolled.
Summary · context
Participants received 480 mg oral PLE daily for 4 months.
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-4176668702
04HumanNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria on afamelanotide, half of the participants reported reduced reaction severity with adjunctive Polypodium leucotomos extract.
In plain wordsIn adults with EPP on afamelanotide, half reported milder reactions after adding a plant extract.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
DecreaseReaction severity
Study
n = 6
Comparator
Baseline
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
Half of participants reported reduced reaction severity.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective single-center cohort study, eight adults with confirmed EPP or XLP and ongoing symptoms despite regular afamelanotide implants every 2 months were enrolled.
Summary · context
Participants received 480 mg oral PLE daily for 4 months.
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-4176668703

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

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