--- title: "Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant" description: "Topical azelaic acid effectively reduces inflammatory lesions and erythema in papulopustular rosacea and is comparable to metronidazole." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html" type: "study" study_key: "s182" journal: "Arch Dermatol" year: 2006 pmid: "16924055" doi: "10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s182 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Arch Dermatol | | Year | 2006 | | PMID | [16924055](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16924055/) | | DOI | [10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047](https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047) | | Study key | s182 | ## Takeaway Topical azelaic acid effectively reduces inflammatory lesions and erythema in papulopustular rosacea and is comparable to metronidazole. ## The question What is the clinical efficacy of topical 20% azelaic acid cream and 15% azelaic acid gel compared with their respective vehicles and metronidazole gel in treating papulopustular rosacea? ## Hypothesis The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid formulations for papulopustular rosacea. ## Methods Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, SciSearch, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were conducted through July or August 2004. Hand searches of reference lists, conference proceedings, and clinical trial databases were also performed, and experts were contacted. Randomized controlled trials comparing topical azelaic acid (cream or gel) with placebo or other topical treatments for rosacea were included. Two authors independently identified studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Five studies involving 873 patients were included. ## Results A meta-analysis could not be conducted due to a lack of standard deviation data for four of the five studies. Four of the five studies showed significant decreases in mean inflammatory lesion count and erythema severity after azelaic acid treatment compared with vehicle. No studies demonstrated a significant decrease in telangiectasia severity. ## Conclusion Topical 20% azelaic acid cream and 15% azelaic acid gel are effective for treating papulopustular rosacea, particularly in reducing inflammatory lesion count and erythema severity. Azelaic acid appears to be as effective as, or potentially better than, metronidazole. ## Limitations A meta-analysis could not be performed because standard deviation data were unavailable for four out of five included studies. ## Verbatim from the abstract > effective in the treatment of rosacea with decreases in inflammatory lesion count ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Azelaic Acid Gel | Strong evidence | [Azelaic Acid Gel](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/182.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant** Arch Dermatol 2006 · [PMID 16924055](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16924055/) · [DOI 10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047](https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047) > effective in the treatment of rosacea with decreases in inflammatory lesion count ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html","name":"Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant","description":"Topical azelaic acid effectively reduces inflammatory lesions and erythema in papulopustular rosacea and is comparable to metronidazole.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s182.html#study","name":"Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant","headline":"Evidence: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant","datePublished":"2006","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Arch Dermatol"},"identifier":"PMID:16924055","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16924055/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.142.8.1047","abstract":"Topical azelaic acid effectively reduces inflammatory lesions and erythema in papulopustular rosacea and is comparable to metronidazole."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Azelaic Acid Gel](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/182.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Efficacy of Treatments in Reducing Inflammatory Lesion Count in Rosacea: A Systematic…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38807451.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).