The antifungal agent butenafine manifests anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
BACKGROUND
Dermatophyte infections are often accompanied by a striking inflammatory reaction, alleviation of which has often been achieved by the concomitant but controversial use of topical steroidal agents. Recent investigations have suggested the presence of inherent anti-inflammatory properties associated with certain antifungal agents, particularly those within the allylamine class. Butenafine, the first and only approved representative of the benzylamine antifungals, possesses a chemical structure and antifungal activity similar to the allylamines. Although several studies have demonstrated excellent antimycotic efficacy, none has addressed anti-inflammatory properties associated with butenafine.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine whether butenafine, a benzylamine antifungal, expresses anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.


METHODS
A randomized single-blinded control investigation comparing the attenuation of UVB irradiation-induced erythema by butenafine, its proprietary base cream, and no application (negative control) was performed in humans.


RESULTS
Butenafine demonstrated a significant and marked decrease in UVB-induced erythema as compared with both the base cream and the unaltered control.


CONCLUSIONS
The benzylamine antifungal agent butenafine demonstrates inherent anti-inflammatory properties, in vivo, as demonstrated by reduced cutaneous erythema response after UVB irradiation.
Nahm
W K
WK
Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Orengo
I
I
Rosen
T
T
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001596:Benzylamines; D009281:Naphthalenes; C067594:butenafine