Chenopodium oil: a new topical antifungal agent in otomycosis- [2] invivo study

ABSTRACT

A standard regimen for treatment of otomycosis is not firmly established. In search for a new antifungal agent for otomycosis, chenopodium oil was selected for this study. Chenopodium oil is the volatile oil distilled with steam from the fresh, above-ground parts of the flowering and fruiting parts of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. Anthelminticum. This study was conducted on 40 patients [51 ears] diagnosed clinically and mycologically as having otomycosis. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were the commonest fungal isolates. Cases were divided into two groups Treatment group [comprised 30 patients [36 ears] which were treated by a ribbon gauze impregnated with chenopodium oil 5% in polyethylene glycol 400] and control group [comprised 10 patients [15 ears] manages only by cleaning the external canal]. A cure rate of 83.33% was obtained with oil at the end of 2-week treatment compared with 46.66% in the control group. Statistical analysis confirmed that chenopodium oil has a significant effect on cure rate of otomycosis. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate in the treatment and control groups. A relative disadvantage of the oil was occurrence of irritation in 16.66% of treated ears but this could be successfully minimized by hydrocortisone ear drops used together with chenopodium oil