Nail Fungus https://greenmedinfo.com/taxonomy/term/3428/all en Argeratina extract has therapeutic value in patients with nail fungus. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/argeratina-extract-has-therapeutic-value-patients-nail-fungus PMID:  J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Oct 29;126(1):74-8. Epub 2009 Aug 13. PMID: 19683043 Abstract Title:  Clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of two concentrations of the Ageratina pichinchensis extract in the topical treatment of onychomycosis. Abstract:  The plant species Ageratina pichinchensis has been used, for many years, in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of superficial mycosis. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study compared the therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability of two concentrations of the standardized extract from Ageratina pichinchensis (12.6 and 16.8%) on patients with clinical and mycological diagnosis of mild and moderate onychomycosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two identical phytopharmaceuticals (containing the standardized extract from Ageratina pichinchensis) in nail lacquer solution for topical administration were evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial. Treatments were administered for 6 months to patients distributed in two groups. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Of 122 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 103 (84.4%) concluded the treatment. The therapeutic effectiveness exhibited by the 12.6% Ageratina pichinchensis extract was 67.2%, while that of the 16.8% Ageratina pichinchensis extract was 79.1%. Regarding clinical evolution, analysis of results at the end of treatment evidenced that the 16.8% concentration possesses higher therapeutic effectiveness with a significant statistical difference (p=0.010). No treatment produced side effects. CONCLUSION: Both concentrations of phytopharmaceuticals possess high rates of effectiveness on patients with mild and moderate onychomycosis, and the formulation with a 16.8% concentration possesses higher effectiveness. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/argeratina-extract-has-therapeutic-value-patients-nail-fungus#comments Ageratina Nail Fungus Antifungal Agents Plant Extracts Human Study Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:47:41 +0000 greenmedinfo 58340 at https://greenmedinfo.com Propolis has antifungal activity against yeasts isolated from nail fungus lesions. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/propolis-has-antifungal-activity-against-yeasts-isolated-nail-fungus-lesions PMID:  Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2006 Aug;101(5):493-7. PMID: 17072451 Abstract Title:  Antifungal activity of propolis extract against yeasts isolated from onychomycosis lesions. Abstract:  The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of propolis extract against 67 yeasts isolated from onychomycosis in patients attending at the Teaching and Research Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the State University of Maringá. The method used was an adaptation made from the protocol approved by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The yeasts tested were: Candida parapsilosis 35%, C. tropicalis 23%, C. albicans 13%, and other species 29%. The propolis extract showed excellent performance regardingits antifungal activity: the concentration capable of inhibiting the all of the yeasts was 5 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids and 2 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids stimulated their cellular death. Trichosporon sp. were the most sensitive species, showing MIC50 and MIC90 of 1.25 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids, and C. tropicalis was the most resistant, with CFM50 of 5 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids and MFC90 of 10 x 10(-2) mg/ml. In view of the fact that propolis is a natural, low cost, nontoxic product with proven antifungal activity, it should be considered as another option in the onychomycosis treatment. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/propolis-has-antifungal-activity-against-yeasts-isolated-nail-fungus-lesions#comments Bee Propolis Nail Fungus Antifungal Agents In Vitro Study Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:43:45 +0000 greenmedinfo 58338 at https://greenmedinfo.com Tea tree is as effective as the drug clotrimazole for treating nail fungus. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tea-tree-effective-drug-clotrimazole-treating-nail-fungus PMID:  J Fam Pract. 1994 Jun;38(6):601-5. PMID: 8195735 Abstract Title:  Comparison of two topical preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and clotrimazole. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: The prevalence of onychomycosis, the most frequent cause of nail disease, ranges from 2% to 13%. Standard treatments include debridement, topical medications, and systemic therapies. This study assesses the efficacy and tolerability of topical application of 1% clotrimazole solution compared with that of 100% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for the treatment of toenail onychomycosis. METHODS: A double-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was performed at two primary care health and residency training centers and one private podiatrist's office. The participants included 117 patients with distal subungual onychomycosis proven by culture. Patients received twice-daily application of either 1% clotrimazole (CL) solution or 100% tea tree (TT) oil for 6 months. Debridement and clinical assessment were performed at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Cultures were obtained at 0 and 6 months. Each patient's subjective assessment was also obtained 3 months after the conclusion of therapy. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the treatment groups did not differ significantly. After 6 months of therapy, the two treatment groups were comparable based on culture cure (CL = 11%, TT = 18%) and clinical assessment documenting partial or full resolution (CL = 61%, TT = 60%). Three months later, about one half of each group reported continued improvement or resolution (CL = 55%; TT = 56%). CONCLUSIONS: All current therapies have high recurrence rates. Oral therapy has the added disadvantages of high cost and potentially serious adverse effects. Topical therapy, including the two preparations presented in this paper, provide improvement in nail appearance and symptomatology. The use of a topical preparation in conjunction with debridement is an appropriate initial treatment strategy. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tea-tree-effective-drug-clotrimazole-treating-nail-fungus#comments Nail Fungus Tea Tree Natural Substances Versus Drugs Human Study Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:53:26 +0000 greenmedinfo 58342 at https://greenmedinfo.com Tea tree oil contributes to the successful treatment of toe nail fungus. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tea-tree-oil-contributes-successful-treatment-toe-nail-fungus PMID:  Trop Med Int Health. 1999 Apr;4(4):284-7. PMID: 10357864 Abstract Title:  Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream. Abstract:  The prevalence of onychomycosis, a superficial fungal infection that destroys the entire nail unit, is rising, with no satisfactory cure. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to examine the clinical efficacy and tolerability of 2% butenafine hydrochloride and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia oil incorporated in a cream to manage toenail onychomycosis in a cohort. Sixty outpatients (39 M, 21 F) aged 18-80 years (mean 29.6) with 6-36 months duration of disease were randomized to two groups (40 and 20), active and placebo. After 16 weeks, 80% of patients using medicated cream were cured, as opposed to none in the placebo group. Four patients in the active treatment group experienced subjective mild inflammation without discontinuing treatment. During follow-up, no relapse occurred in cured patients and no improvement was seen in medication-resistant and placebo participants. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/tea-tree-oil-contributes-successful-treatment-toe-nail-fungus#comments Nail Fungus Tea Tree Antifungal Agents Human Study Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:52:04 +0000 greenmedinfo 58341 at https://greenmedinfo.com