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NCT Number: NCT07202156

Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery of Compound TXA Solution in Melasma

Melasma is a localized, acquired hyperpigmentary skin disorder characterized by well-defined, light to dark brown patches. Based on clinical practice and extensive literature reports, tranexamic acid and reduced Glutathione (GSH) are both applied in the treatment of melasma, but their water-soluble nature presents challenges for transdermal absorption. Our preliminary basic and clinical research has demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted delivery significantly enhances the absorption of tranexamic acid and other water-soluble components. Its effect on the skin barrier is temporary and reversible.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a compound solution (10% tranexamic acid, 2% GSH) delivered via ultrasound for melasma treatment through a split-face controlled trial.

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Key information

Age range

20 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The first Affiliated hospital with Nanjing medical university

Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Pan Yueyun

CONTACT

[email protected]

15851837753

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

-(1) Male or female participants aged 20 to 55 years (inclusive); (2) Subjects clinically diagnosed with melasma and confirmed by the investigator to meet the trial requirements; (3) Subjects willing to comply with follow-up observations and able to provide portrait rights for documentation purposes; (4) Understanding and willingness to participate in the clinical trial, and voluntarily signing a written informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

  • (1) Females who are pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during the trial period; (2) Subjects with known allergen to tranexamic acid or any excipient in the investigational product; (3) History of thrombosis or other thrombotic tendencies (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia), or inability to discontinue oral contraceptives, estrogen, or prothrombin complex concentrates during the trial; (4) History of visual or ocular abnormalities (e.g. impaired vision, visual field defects, or fundus hemorrhage/edema) caused by abnormal retinal intravascular coagulation; (5) Patients with skin inflammation who have used topical steroid preparations for more than one month; (6) Presence of skin abnormalities at the trial site, such as nevi, ulcers, or erosions; (7) Any acute or chronic medical history (past or present) that may interfere with the validity or safety assessment of the trial; (8) Clinically significant abnormal laboratory test results prior to the trial; (9) Participation in any other clinical trial within 30 days prior to screening; (10) Any other condition deemed by the investigator to be unsuitable for participation in the study.

Treatment and study plan

10%TXA+2%Reduced Glutathione applied via ultrasound at 5W/cm² in10min

Device

5w/cm² Ultrasound-assisted topical application of 10% tranexamic acid and 2% reduced glutathione for 10 mins

10%TXA+2%Reduced Glutathione applied via ultrasound at 0W/cm² 10min

Other

topical application of 10% tranexamic acid and 2% reduced glutathione for 10 mins

Primary outcomes

  1. percentage reduction in hemi-MASI

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

    mean percentage reduction in hemi-MASI from baseline to week 20

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient self-assessment

    Time frame: week 4 during treatment and the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

    The outcomes were categorized as follows: cured (improvement ≥75%), markedly effective (improvement 50%-75%), effective (improvement 25%-50%), and ineffective (improvement ≤25%). The satisfaction rate was calculated as: Satisfaction rate = (number of cured + markedly effective + effective cases) / total number of cases × 100%

  2. Clinical Efficacy

    Time frame: week 4 during treatment and the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

    investigators evaluated the melasma or hyperpigmentation on split-face using the following criteria: Cured: >90% reduction in pigmented area with virtually disappearance of color upon visual inspection.

    Markedly Effective: >60% reduction in area with significant lightening of color.

    Effective: >30% reduction in area with noticeable lightening of color. Ineffective: <30% reduction in area with no significant change in color. The effective rate was calculated as: Effective rate = (number of cured + markedly effective + effective cases) / total number of cases × 100%.

  3. VISIA Digital Skin Analysis

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

  4. Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) Score

    Time frame: The enrollment, week 4 during treatment and the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

Other outcomes

  1. Two-Photon Microscopic Imaging

    Time frame: The enrollment, week 4 during treatment and the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

    This was to monitor experimental safety and the impact on the skin barrier.

  2. Dermatoscopy

    Time frame: The enrollment, week 4 during treatment and the end of treatment at 8 weeks, and 4&12 weeks after the final intervention

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Lu Yan, phD

CONTACT

[email protected]

13913967126

Lu Yan, phD

CONTACT

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Clinical Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery of Compound Tranexamic Acid Solution in the Treatment of Melasma

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 1, 2025
Registry last updated
Nov 25, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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