Updates in the Treatment of Rosacea with γ-Aminobutyric Acid Derivatives

Neurogenic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Recently, several clinical studies have found that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives can effectively improve the erythema and burning symptoms of rosacea. The underlying mechanisms may relate to the ability of GABA derivatives to inhibit the transient receptor potential channel pathway, subsequently reducing abnormal neuronal activation, inhibiting neuropeptide release, and suppressing neurogenic inflammation. This paper aimed to comprehensively review the progress of fundamental and clinical research on the role of neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of rosacea and the application of GABA derivatives in rosacea treatment. We believe this paper will provide new directions for the treatment of rosacea. PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant literature. The literature review revealed that GABA derivatives, such as pregabalin and gabapentin, may be effective in relieving the redness and erythema symptoms of rosacea. The potential mechanisms and the effects of GABA derivatives in rosacea treatment were reviewed, providing a new basis for the treatment of rosacea.