Pharmacodynamics of alcide, a new antimicrobial compound, in rat and rabbit

Alcide is a germicidal preparation which has been shown to kill a wide range of common pathogenic bacteria as well as fungi, in vitro. This preparation is composed of Part A and Part B which contains sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and lactic acid as the active ingredients, respectively. The two parts are combined in equal volumes immediately prior to application resulting in the formation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Alcide gel was applied to the shaven backs of 18 female Sprague-Dawley rats in a 2.0-g/kg dose by combining 1 g of each part immediately prior to administration. This dose was applied for a period of 10 days to reach a steady state. On the 11th day, 36Cl-labeled Alcide gel, which contained Na36ClO2 in Part A, was administered to the animals in a 0.6-g dose (2.0 g/kg) containing 0.1 microCi. The half-life for 36Cl absorption was 22.1 hr while the elimination half-life was 64.0 hr. 36Cl was excreted by the kidneys with chloride (Cl-) and chlorite as the metabolites. Ninety-six hours after Alcide administration, radioactivity was highest in whole blood and lowest in fat. In a 90-day subchronic dermal toxicity study in rabbits, exposure to Alcide gel resulted in decreased glutathione concentrations in blood of the group receiving 2.0 g/kg Alcide as well as in the placebo gel group which received the same dose of gel.