Publication:

Efficacy of zincoderm G cream against wound infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background Zincoderm G cream is a fixed dose combination of clobetasol, gentamicin and zinc. Studies have been carried out for efficacy of each component such as clobetasol and gentamicin in bacterial infections, but as fixed dose combination including zinc has not been reported yet. Hence, a study was planned to assess the efficacy of Zincoderm G cream in experimental wound infection by Pseudomonas aerugionosa.

Methods In the experiment a total of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats (male, pathogen free, 6-8 weeks old) were used. The rats were divided into three groups of six rats each. 25-30 mg of test drugs (Zincoderm G cream with or without zinc) was applied on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected burn wound affected area of back of rats for 2 weeks. Bacterial infection was assessed by quantification of bacteria.

Results There was 80% mortality observed in P. aeruginosa infected toxic control (cream base) group. Whereas, only 40% mortality was seen in both Zincoderm G cream with/without zinc groups, which were inoculated with P. aeruginosa. Bacterial concentration (Number of colony forming unit/ml wound fluid) was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in P. aeruginosa infected rats treated with Zincoderm G cream with zinc when compared with P. aeruginosa infected control (untreated) rats.

Conclusions We found that Zincoderm G cream with zinc exhibited distinct killing profiles against P. aeruginosa.