Onychomycosis treated with a dilute povidone-iodine/dimethyl sulfoxide preparation

Iodinated curcumin bearing dermal cream augmented drug delivery, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

OBJECTIVES

Curcumin (Cur) exhibits weak microbicidal activity owing to high lipophilicity and low cell permeability. Therefore, in the present investigation, Cur was iodinated using elemental iodine (I₂) to synthesise Cur-I₂ powder that was later formulated as Cur-I₂ dermal cream and characterised in vitro for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Electrophilic addition of I₂ saturated the olefinic bonds of Cur, as confirmed by UV/visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and DSC techniques. In addition, in vitro skin permeation and retention analysis indicated that Cur-I₂ cream followed the first order and Higuchi model for drug release through the rat skin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cur-I₂ powder was measured to be 60 and 90 µg/ml significantly (p < 0.05) lower than 150 and 120 µg/ml of Cur against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Moreover, Cur-I₂ also exhibited strong antioxidant potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Cur-I₂ cream warrants further in vivo study to scale up the technology for clinical translation.

The Effects of Curcumin on Wound Healing in a Rat Model of Nasal Mucosal Trauma

We explored the effects of topical curcumin on the healing of nasal mucosal wounds. A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley Albino rats were randomized in equal numbers into four groups, and unilateral nasal wounds were created using an interdental brush. Group 1 (the sham-control group) contained untreated rats with traumatized right-side nasal cavities; Group 2 and 3 rats were similarly traumatized and treated with topical curcumin (5 and 10 mg/mL) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide daily for 7 days after trauma; Group 4 rats were treated with topical dimethyl sulfoxide only. All rats were decapitated on day 15 and the healing sites evaluated by blinded observers in terms of the presence of cellular hyperplasia, goblet cell hypertrophy and degeneration, leucocytic infiltration, ciliary loss and degeneration, edema, and vascular dilation. On histopathological evaluation, all of cellular hyperplasia, leukocytic infiltration, and edema were significantly reduced in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (p = 0.001, p = 0.004, and p = 0.008, resp.). Thus, curcumin reduced the inflammatory response and significantly accelerated wound healing.

Printing amphotericin B on microneedles using matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation

Transdermal delivery of amphotericin B, a pharmacological agent with activity against fungi and parasitic protozoa, is a challenge since amphotericin B exhibits poor solubility in aqueous solutions at physiologic pH values. In this study, we have used a laser-based printing approach known as matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation to print amphotericin B on the surfaces of polyglycolic acid microneedles that were prepared using a combination of injection molding and drawing lithography. In a modified agar disk diffusion assay, the amphotericin B-loaded microneedles showed concentration-dependent activity against the yeast Candida albicans. The results of this study suggest that matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation may be used to print amphotericin B and other drugs that have complex solubility issues on the surfaces of microneedles.

A Novel Topical 2% Povidone-Iodine Solution for the Treatment of Common Warts: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Verruca vulgaris, also known as common warts, are benign skin growths caused by infection of the skin by human papillomavirus. Warts are common in both childhood and adulthood and are spread by direct contact or autoinoculation. Treatment options vary from locally destructive methods to immuno-modulatory therapy. Common warts are often resistant to treatment. Though many remedies exist, there is no consensus therapy backed by randomized-controlled clinical trials that are FDA approved for the treatment of verruca vulgaris. We describe here the results of a small, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase II clinical trial with a novel topical agent for the treatment of common warts.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients aged 8 years and older were enrolled in this single-center, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled Phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of twice-daily application of a novel 2% topical povidone-iodine solution in a dimethyl sulfoxide vehicle for 12 weeks duration. Patients were block randomized into two groups consisting of 14 patients in the active arm and 7 patients in the vehicle only arm. All patients were evaluated at baseline, week 4, 8 and 12 and the results compared for overall Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) improvement.

RESULTS

There were a total of 21 patients included in the study. Sustained improvement in the GAIS scale was observed at the final week 12 exam visit in 77% of subjects in the treatment arm and 33% of patients in the control arm. There were no serious safety or tolerability issues reported.

CONCLUSION

Twice-daily topical povidone-iodine solution in the novel vehicle employed for this study is an effective, safe and easy-to-use treatment for common warts. Further study of this agent in expanded Phase II and Phase III clinical trials is warranted.

FUNDING

ALC Therapeutics LLC.