Formulation and Evaluation of Yemeni Potash Alum as Hydrophilic Topical Preparations against Candidiasis and Aspergillosis

Background:Skin and soft tissue infections are frequent.Candidiasis and Aspergillosis are the most common cutaneous fungal infections.Yemeni alum(Aluminium Potassium Sulphate)is a natural mineral with antifungal and antibacterial properties.Objective:This study aimed to confirm Yemeni alum’s antifungal effectiveness against selected fungal strains and develop useful topical formulations.Methods:Using different alum concentrations,we prepared twenty-three formulations,including four non-adjusted aqueous solutions,eight adjusted pH aqueous solutions,eight glycerite solutions,and three Oil/Water cream formulations.Then,we examined the antifungal activity against the suggested fungus.The animal skin irritation test evaluated the local skin sensitivity reactions that might happen upon using the formulations we pre-pared on the intact animal’s skin.Additionally,this study also included six weeks of stability testing to estimate the expected shelf life(t90)of the selected formulations.Results:Alum exerted antifungal effect against Candida albicans,Aspergillus niger,and Aspergillus flavus.The animal’s skin was not irritated by any of the formulations examined.The 5%alum aqueous solution and the 10%alum Oil/Water cream exhibited promising results among all tested formulations.The approximate formulation’s shelf-lives(t90)were 2 and 1.52 years with alum content(%)ranging between 105.75%to 106.02%,respectively.Conclusion:Based on the results we found,10%alum Oil/Water cream is a promising formulation for large-scale manufacture.

A randomized controlled trial of topical tea tree preparation for MRSA colonized wounds

Background:The prevalence of MRSA(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)colonized wounds in home care residents is expected to grow continuously as a result of the substantial proportion of older people requiring institutionalized care due to chronic disease and declining functional status,which contribute to more frequent skin breakdown and wound formation.Tea tree oil has been claimed to have anti-bacterial,analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that have been suggested in many in-vitro studies to have good efficacy against MRSA.The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of 10%topical tea tree preparation to eradicateMRSA and to ascertain its influence on wound healing forMRSA-colonized wounds.Methods:It was a randomized controlled trial,single-blind study.Those with stage II or above MRSA-colonized wounds and who had given their informed consent formed the sample.The determined sample sizewasbasedonthe effect size of our previouspilot study,whichwas 0.46.Five outcome measurements were taken for the MRSA bacterial count and wound healing condition at baseline and at 1-week intervals during the 4-week dressing intervention period.Results:Thirty-two participants were recruited from two non-government nursing homes,16 in the control group and 16 in the tea tree oil group.The control group residents received routine saline gauze dressing,while the tea tree oil group residents received the 10%topical tea tree preparation dressing.In the tea tree oil group,all chronic wounds that had previously been delayed in healing were healed within 28 days without adverse reaction.MRSA was also completely eradicated in 14(87.5%)out of 16 wounds in the group receiving the 10%topical tea tree preparation.