Therapeutic Potential of Topical Cannabis for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Two Different Formulations

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of using cannabis-enriched topical cream containing of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), either alone (THC:CBD) or in combination with a polyherbal formulation for treating psoriasis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of both formulations, a crossover, randomized, single-blinded study was conducted on 20 volunteers who were monitored for key indicators such as PASI score, PDI, DLQI, and blood profile. The present study involved two eight-week treatment periods with each formulation, separated by a two-week washout period. The results showed that the group using the cannabis cream comprising of THC:CBD alone experienced a significant reduction in PASI score after four weeks over the course of the 8-week study. Furthermore, the combination of THC:CBD and the polyherbal formulation was found to be more effective in reducing disease severity and improving patient quality of life. No significant adverse reactions were observed, and there was no difference in blood profile before and after treatment. These findings indicate that both topical formulations are safe and effective for treating psoriasis, with the combined formulation showing greater potential than using topical cannabis alone.