title: Gentian violet: a 19th century drug re-emerges in the 21st century.
abstract: Gentian violet (GV) has a long and varied history as a medicinal agent. Historically used as an antibacterial and antifungal, recent reports have shown its utility as an antitypranosomal, antiviral and anti-angiogenic agent. The objective of this article is to summarize evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of GV use in dermatology. Recent discoveries have found novel targets of GV, namely NADPH oxidase in mammalian cells and thioredoxin reductase 2 in bacterial, fungal and parasitic cells. These discoveries have expanded the use of GV in the 21st century. Given that GV is well tolerated, effective and inexpensive, its use in dermatology is predicted to increase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Veterans Administration Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Maley
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Arbiser
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003880:Dermatology / Q000266:history*; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005840:Gentian Violet
keywords: Gentian Violet; crystal violet; triphenylmethane dye