In vitro and in vivo therapeutic activity of ibuprofen against dermatophytes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic activity of ibuprofen against dermatophytes. METHODS The period of study ranged from June to September 2008. For in vitro investigation of ibuprofen activity, measurement of colony diameter, and dry weight were employed against 4 isolated strains of dermatophytes from 46 patients (30-43 years) suffering from dermatophytoses at Morgan Hospital, Hilla City, Iraq in June 2008. For the in vivo evaluation of ibuprofen, rabbits as the main subjects, were infected with dermatophytes and treated with prepared ibuprofen cream (15 mg/gm). RESULTS In vitro application of ibuprofen showed cidal activity on 4 strains of dermatophytes at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 200 microg/ml. The infected rabbits were successfully cured of dermatophytoses after treatment with ibuprofen cream. CONCLUSION Based on in vitro and in vivo application, Ibuprofen can be used as a short-term cure for dermatophytoses.