In vivo investigation on antifungal activity of cream with Carlina acanthifolia essential oil

S. Djordjević; I. Arsić; S. Petrović; V. M. Tadić; M. Milenković; G. Isailovic; A. Adamovic

doi:10.1055/s-0028-1084926

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

In vivo investigation on antifungal activity of cream with Carlina acanthifolia essential oil

S Djordjević ¹, I Arsić ¹, S Petrović ², VM Tadić ¹, M Milenković ², G Isailovic ³, A Adamovic ³

¹Institute for Medicinal Plant Research „Dr. Josif Pancic“, Tadeusa Koscuska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
²Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
³City Institute for skin and venereaus diseases, Dzordza Vasingtona 17, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Based on previously demonstrated high in vitro antimicrobial activity of Carlina acanthifolia All. root essential oil [1], we tested in vivo antifungal activity of formulated hydrophilic cream (o/w cream) with 2% of this oil. The essential oil was isolated from the air-dried C. acanthifolia root by hydrodistillation. The yield of the oil was 1.0% (w/w). Content of carlina oxide in isolated oil was 91.5%. The creams, formulated with 0.5%, 1% and 2% essential oil, were tested by Patch-test and their good tolerance, according to Reitschel et al. [2], was confirmed. Positive results in clinical treatment of slight and mild skin and nail fungal infections applying the cream with 2% essential oil were achieved [3]. The performed investigation was in accordance with City Institute for skin and venereaus diseases Ethics Committees' role. In the group of 11 patients with fungal skin infections after 14 days of treatment, progress was clearly recognized. By defined protocol already described by Schäfer-Korting, M. et al. [4], decrease of mean indices for erythema was 42.1%, for vesiculas and crustea 85.7% and 68.8%, respectively and for itching 65.0%. In the 8 patients with fungal nail infections, after 12 weeks treatment with the same preparation significant improvement was observed. Progressive growth of healthy nail surface and reduction or loss of skin erythema in the surroundings of infected nail was observed. Obtained results confirmed traditional application of C. acanthifoliae root and present scientific base for further investigations in the course of C. acanthifolia essential oil rational therapeutic application.

Acknowledgements: The authors wish to thank Serbian Ministry of Science for financial support

References: 1. Djordjevic, S. et al. (2007)J Ethnopharmacol 109:458–63. 2. Reitschel, RL., Fowler, JJF. (1995) Fisher's Contact Dermatitis. Williams & Wilkins. USA. 3. Karadaglic, Dj. (2000) Dermatology. Versalpress. Belgrade. 4. Schäfer-Korting, M. (1992) In: Braun-Folco, O. et al. (Ed.): Liposome Dermatics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.