title: Formulation and Evaluation of Antibacterial Creams and Gels Containing Metal Ions for Topical Application.
abstract: Background.Skin infections occur commonly and often present therapeutic challenges to practitioners due to the growing concerns regarding multidrug-resistant bacterial, viral, and fungal strains. The antimicrobial properties of zinc sulfate and copper sulfate are well known and have been investigated for many years. However, the synergistic activity between these two metal ions as antimicrobial ingredients has not been evaluated in topical formulations.Objective.The aims of the present study were to (1) formulate topical creams and gels containing zinc and copper alone or in combination and (2) evaluate thein vitroantibacterial activity of these metal ions in the formulations.Method.Formulation of the gels and creams was followed by evaluating their organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical properties, andin vitroantibacterial activity againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus.Results.Zinc sulfate and copper sulfate had a strong synergistic antibacterial activity in the creams and gels. The minimum effective concentration was found to be 3 w/w% for both active ingredients against the two tested microorganisms.Conclusions.This study evaluated and confirmed the synergisticin vitroantibacterial effect of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate in a cream and two gels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
authors.forename: Mei X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2959-7619
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baki