Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40826371›Full record

Trial reportEuropean journal of medical research2025

Microneedling-assisted delivery of metformin versus tranexamic acid in treating melasma: a randomized controlled study.

Abdelshakour Al Mohammady, Ahmed S Kadah, Mohamed A Mahran, Mohamed L Elsaie

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled TrialComparative Study
In one paragraph

Trial report in European journal of medical research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07495748 (Comparative Evaluation of Topical Metformin and Topical Tranexamic Acid in Melasma Using MASI Score Reduction), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07495748 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Comparative Evaluation of Topical Metformin and Topical Tranexamic Acid in Melasma Using MASI Score Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorFoundation University IslamabadRan2026 to 2027Enrolled70ConditionsMelasmaArmstopical 3% tranexamic acid solution, Topical 30% metformin cream
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Abdelshakour Al MohammadyDepartment of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Ahmed S KadahDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, New Damietta, Egypt.
Mohamed A MahranDepartment of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohamed L ElsaieDepartment of Dermatology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Egydoc77@yahoo.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7541-5241

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMelasma is a common, relapsing hyperpigmentation disorder with limited long-term treatment success. Recent advances suggest that microneedling may enhance the transdermal delivery and efficacy of topical agents. This study compares the clinical outcomes of microneedling-assisted delivery of topical metformin and tranexamic acid (TXA) in the treatment of facial melasma, with modified Kligman's formula as a control.

objectivesTo evaluate and compare the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of microneedling with topical metformin versus TXA in melasma patients.

methodsForty-five female patients with facial melasma were randomized into three equal groups. Group A received microneedling with topical metformin; Group B received microneedling with topical TXA; Group C applied modified Kligman's formula nightly. Treatments were conducted over 8 weeks. Outcomes included changes in modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI), patient satisfaction scores, pain levels, and adverse events.

resultsAll groups showed significant mMASI reductions. Group B achieved the greatest reduction (mean 45.3%) followed by Group C (38.2%) and Group A (22.1%) (p < 0.001). Satisfaction scores were highest in Group B, with 33.3% reporting marked improvement. Minimal adverse events were reported across all groups, with no serious side effects. Pain scores were comparable between microneedling groups.

conclusionMicroneedling with topical TXA demonstrated superior efficacy and patient satisfaction compared to metformin and Kligman's formula. While topical metformin showed some potential, its formulation and clinical utility require further study. Microneedling offers a promising approach to improve treatment outcomes in melisma.

Indexed as

MelanosisMetforminTranexamic AcidAdministration, CutaneousAdultFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNeedlesPatient SatisfactionPercutaneous Collagen InductionTreatment OutcomeMetforminTranexamic AcidMelasmaMetforminMicroneedlingTranexamic acid

Identifiers

PMID40826371
PMCPMC12359957

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.