Zinc Sulphate useful Adjunct and Alternative Therapy for Viral Warts, Suggests Study

Zinc is essential for maintaining immune system balance and is known to influence the production and signaling of cytokines—key molecules in the body’s defense against infections. Due to these immune-modulating properties, zinc may help fight viral infections, including those caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to viral warts. While several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored the use of oral zinc sulphate as a potential treatment for viral warts, the overall evidence has remained fragmented.

To address this gap, Chen-Chi Wang, Department of Medical Education, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis to assess how effective oral zinc sulphate is in treating and preventing the recurrence of viral warts.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a thorough database search on July 1, 2024, using platforms such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Out of 952 studies initially identified, only 7 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis.

Key Findings:

• The overall wart clearance rate was significantly higher in patients who received oral zinc sulphate than in the control group.
• The therapeutic benefit was especially marked in individuals with low baseline plasma zinc levels.
• A rise in zinc ion levels after treatment was associated with improved treatment outcomes.
• Adding oral zinc sulphate to conventional wart therapies significantly reduced the recurrence of warts over 6 months.
• The most commonly reported side effects of oral zinc sulphate were nausea and vomiting.

Based on current evidence, oral zinc sulphate shows promise as an effective option for managing viral warts, offering significant therapeutic benefits both as a standalone treatment and when used alongside conventional therapies. It improved clearance rates and notably reduced recurrence over six months, particularly in individuals with low zinc levels.

“These findings highlight the potential of oral zinc sulphate as a valuable addition to wart treatment strategies, particularly for individuals who are unwilling or unable to opt for conventional therapies,” the researchers noted. However, they emphasized the need for further studies to assess the safety of higher zinc doses, determine its efficacy across diverse populations, and explore how the duration of the disease may impact treatment outcomes.

Reference:

Wang, C., Wang, X., & Wu, Y. (2025). Oral zinc sulphate reduces the recurrence rate and provides significant therapeutic effects for viral warts: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 20(5), e0323051. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0323051