Antiseptic Effect of a Topical Dermatological Formulation That Contains Hamamelis Distillate and Urea

Abstract

Objective: To determine the antimicrobial activity of a distillate of Hamamelis (Aqua Hamamelidis ), United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 23, and urea formulated as a topical dermatological preparation that contains both active ingredients. Methods: Using the simple occlusion test and expanded flora test, we conducted in vivo studies in 15 healthy volunteers. We also performed in vitro studies using the agar diffusion test. Results: The occlusion test and expanded flora test demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity for a product containing the Hamamelis distillate (90%) and urea (5%) among other ingredients. The expanded flora test demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity for both Hamamelis distillate and urea. The simple occlusion test showed the same tendency, but results were not significant. The agar diffusion test showed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans , among other organisms. Comparison with earlier studies of chlorhexidine digluconate and fuchsine using the same method showed that the antimicrobial activities of Hamamelis distillate and urea were relatively weak. This finding is supported by the weak inhibitory activity observed in the agar diffusion test (using 100% of the finished dosage form). Conclusion: Formulations of Hamamelis distillate and urea are mainly used for their antiinflammatory, hydrating, and barrier-stabilizing effects in dermatitis maintenance therapy. As bacterial colonization has a central role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and intertrigo, the antimicrobial activity of such products is considered a welcome, added benefit.

Cosmetics and herbal remedies with Compositae plant extracts – are they tolerated by Compositae‐allergic patients?

“…H. virginiana (witch hazel) is a shrub or small tree from the Hamamelidaceae family of plants. Witch hazel extract is attributed astringent, antiseptic, anti‐inflammatory, local styptic, and vasoconstrictive properties (17–19). It has been used topically for inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, and today it appears in cosmetic products as well as oral medicine for chronic venous insufficiency (17, 20).…”

An assessment of the growth inhibition profiles of Hamamelis virginiana L. extracts against Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp.

“… 13 , 14 However, there is scant scientific evidence on the antibacterial effects of WH extracts. A 2002 study 15 revealed weak activity of a WH distillate against the Staphylococcus species S. aureus and S. epidermidis , although the product contained 5% urea, which may have contributed to this activity. 16 More recently, strong activities towards these two strains were demonstrated using a commercial WH product available from StaphOff Biotech Inc. (Hopkinton, USA) named whISOBAX.…”

Triclosan, ein dermatologisches Lokaltherapeutikum

“…Resistent mit MHK >10 µg/ml waren Serratia marcescens, P. aeruginosa, P. rettgeri sowie Sprosspilze.Als resistent (mit geringerer MHK) zu bewerten war außerdem Streptokokken-Species. Diese Angaben, insbesondere auch die hohe Empfindlichkeit von S. aureus, wurden bei nachfolgenden Untersuchungen bestätigt [4,5,6] [16,17].…”

“…Leider erfolgte keine Prüfung gegen die harnstoffhaltige Grundlage [18]. Da der antimikrobielle Effekt von Harnstoff gering ist [17], ist es sehr wahrscheinlich, dass Triclosan für die Beseitigung von S. aureus bei diesen Versuchen verantwortlich war. Klinische Untersuchungen mit der jetzt geprüften Rezeptur bei atopischer Dermatitis und bei der Rezidivprophylaxe von Unterschenkelekzemen und Ulcera crurum wurden bisher nicht durchgeführt.…”