The antifungal agent butenafine manifests anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.

BACKGROUND

Dermatophyte infections are often accompanied by a striking inflammatory reaction, alleviation of which has often been achieved by the concomitant but controversial use of topical steroidal agents. Recent investigations have suggested the presence of inherent anti-inflammatory properties associated with certain antifungal agents, particularly those within the allylamine class. Butenafine, the first and only approved representative of the benzylamine antifungals, possesses a chemical structure and antifungal activity similar to the allylamines. Although several studies have demonstrated excellent antimycotic efficacy, none has addressed anti-inflammatory properties associated with butenafine.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine whether butenafine, a benzylamine antifungal, expresses anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.

METHODS

A randomized single-blinded control investigation comparing the attenuation of UVB irradiation-induced erythema by butenafine, its proprietary base cream, and no application (negative control) was performed in humans.

RESULTS

Butenafine demonstrated a significant and marked decrease in UVB-induced erythema as compared with both the base cream and the unaltered control.

CONCLUSION

The benzylamine antifungal agent butenafine demonstrates inherent anti-inflammatory properties, in vivo, as demonstrated by reduced cutaneous erythema response after UVB irradiation.