In vitro and in vivo cutaneous penetration and antifungal activity of naftifine

The topical antifungal agent naftifine has shown considerable potency against a broad spectrum of dermatophytes. In this study, an in vitro penetration test in human cadaver skin and an in vivo tape-stripping test were used to evaluate the penetration and antifungal activity of naftifine gel 1 percent and naftifine cream 1 percent compared with other antifungal agents. In both models, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were the fungal species. Results show that naftifine gel 1 percent and naftifine cream 1 percent, in vitro and in vivo, penetrate the stratum corneum in concentrations that inhibit the growth of both fungal species. Following penetration in vitro, naftifine gel and cream were significantly more active against T. rubrum than econazole nitrate cream 1 percent. Following penetration in vivo, naftifine gel and cream were as active as econazole nitrate cream 1 percent and clotrimazole cream 1 percent against T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes.