Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 131–2
Fungal infection is an increasingly important public health issue. Despite the worldwide interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicines, no proven natural antifungal preparation is available to date. The aim of the current study was to provide scientific support for the anecdotal evidence of the antimycotic effect of two naturopathic medicines, Molkosan and Spilanthes, and to determine an appropriate concentration range for use in future clinical studies.
Fungal species isolated from clinical material were exposed to the two products, singly and in combinations (to investigate potential synergistic action). Antifungal efficacy was assessed by percentage inhibition of growth, and minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MIC and MFC, respectively) determined for each species.
Human nail clippings were used as an ex vivo model, to assess the efficacy of the two products in clearing experimentally induced onychomycosis. Clearance of infection was assessed by light and electron microscopy.
Molkosan and Spilanthes both demonstrated fungicidal action against the isolated fungal species, with MIC values varying between species. Synergistic action was confirmed with various combinations of the two products against some species.
Preliminary results with the ex vivo model confirm that these products, used undiluted, are capable of clearing infection with some Trichophyton species.
Results to date support the belief that Molkosan and Spilanthes offer much potential as natural antimycotics. The use of an ex vivo model offers a valuable addition to traditional means of assessing antifungal efficacy, prior to clinical studies.
