Product Pharmacology and Medical Actives in Achieving Therapeutic Benefits
September 2005
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings
”
TLDR Adding zinc to pyrithione zinc improves its effectiveness against scalp conditions like dandruff.
The document discussed the challenges and strategies in delivering therapeutic benefits for scalp conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis using anti-fungal actives, particularly pyrithione zinc (PTZ). It highlighted the importance of product pharmacology, noting that the delivery method and formulation significantly impact the efficacy of the active ingredient. The study found that adding zinc to PTZ formulations enhances its anti-fungal activity by shifting the equilibrium towards the bio-active PTZ complex, thereby increasing its bio-availability. This zinc-enhanced PTZ formulation showed improved performance in reducing Malassezia on the scalp and clinical flake reduction compared to PTZ alone. The research emphasized that both the potency of the active ingredient and the efficiency of its delivery are crucial for effective therapeutic outcomes.