Dermatophytic infections are a common clinical problem encountered in more than 50% of participants attending the dermatology departments.  According to WHO, about 25% of the world population is affected by dermatophytic infections. It is also estimated that 30 to 70% of adults are asymptomatic carriers of these pathogens, and that the incidence of this disease increases with age. The estimated life-time risk of acquiring dermatophytosis is between 10 to 20 percent. It is caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton which may infect hair, scalp, arms, legs, trunk, groin, and nails.

      Among various subtypes of dermatophytoses, tinea corporis is a very common skin infection which refers to the dermatophytic infection involving trunk, legs, arms, and neck excluding feet, hands, and groin. The trunk is the most common site. The lesions are itchy, erythematous and scaly patches with well-defined borders. The borders are more prominent and often have papules and pustules. There may be central clearing so that annular or circinate patterns are formed. As the lesion progresses, the border advances centrifugally. The major risk factors of tinea corporis are overcrowding, poor hygiene, and low standards of living along with high humidity. Hence, tinea corporis is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, especially in India.

      In conventional medicine, certain antifungal drugs such as terbinafine, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, and cotrimazole are used in the management of dermatophytosis with various degrees of resistance and certain side effects such as erythema, itching, dryness, irritation and urticaria etc. Hence, there is a dire need to search for a safe and effective drug for the management of tinea corporis.

      In Unani System of medicine, Quba is characterized by rough and hyperpigmented patch associated with intense itching but devoid of pain. It has been treated by eminent Unani physicians since antiquity. There are so many topical formulations being used in Quba, i.e., Marham Kharish Jadeed, Marham-i Quba, Habb-i Quba  etc. Moreover, drugs possessing Mubarrid, Dafi’-i Ufunat, Mujaffif, Muhallil, and Musaffi-i Dam actions are used in management of Quba such as Gandhak, Sang-i Jarahat, Barg-i-Hina, Kamila, Arad-i Baqla,  Arad-i Nakhud, etc.

      Among these compound formulations, Marham Kharish Jadeed has been extensively used for the management of tinea corporis due to presence of above mentioned properties, but till date its efficacy has not been evaluated on scientific parameters. Hence, in order to validate its efficacy in the management of Quba (Tinea corporis), the present clinical trial entitled â€œA Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Marham Kharish Jadeed in the Management of Quba (Tinea Corporis) has been designed.