title: Antibacterial effect of beta-thujaplicin on staphylococci isolated from atopic dermatitis: relationship between changes in the number of viable bacterial cells and clinical improvement in an eczematous lesion of atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Beta-thujaplicin (hinokitiol) is a tropolone-related compound purified from the wood of Chamaecyparis obtusa, SIEB: et Zucc. and Thuja plicata D. Don. All Staphylococcus aureus isolates were inhibited by beta-thujaplicin with MICs of 1.56-3.13 mg/L. However, a paradoxical zone phenomenon occurred, with each isolate producing regrowth at higher beta-thujaplicin concentrations. Other antimicrobial agents showed a wide range of MICs. The combination of beta-thujaplicin and zinc oxide inhibited the paradoxical zone phenomenon, and enhanced killing activity against clinically isolated staphylococci. Large numbers of viable bacterial cells, especially S. aureus cells, were detected in the skin surface of atopic dermatitis, in comparison with those in healthy volunteers. The number of cells increased as the severity of the skin condition worsened. Topical application of beta-thujaplicin resulted in a reduction in the number of bacterial cells on the skin surface, and an improvement in skin condition after treatment. The results of this study suggest that the degree of reduction in the number of viable bacterial cells in an eczematous lesion of atopic dermatitis is related to the degree of improvement in skin condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan. arima3@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yaeno
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arima
authors.forename: Yoriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Ritsuko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014334:Tropolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D039821:Monoterpenes; D014334:Tropolone; D015034:Zinc Oxide; C009479:beta-thujaplicin