Anti-dermatophytic effect of hydraulic brake fluid and its ointment on Trichophyton rubrum-induced dermatophytosis in albino rats

Abstract

Studies have shown the topical domestic use of hydraulic brake fluid and it has been reported by domestic users as efficacious against skin infections, especially dermatophytosis. Hydraulic brake fluid ointment is a combination of hydraulic brake fluid and a 30 g weight of simple ointment formulation. Its MIC on T. rubrum was determined using the micro-broth dilution method and a solid culture medium gave three different volumes of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 ml which were used to prepare percentage formulations of 30 g simple ointment. A total of 28 male albino rats (pathogen-free, 6-8 weeks old) weighing between 180-210 g, randomly divided into 7 groups of 4 rats each, was used for this experiment. The first and second groups received 30 g simple ointment administered constituting the negative (without dermatophytosis) and positive (with dermatophytosis) control groups. The third, fourth and fifth groups received 0.7, 1.3 and 2.7% formulation of the test agent in the simple ointment, respectively; the sixth group was topically given 0.2% ketoconazole gel; the standard group while the seventh group received 0.25 ml (equivalent to a drop) of hydraulic brake fluid (neat) without a simple ointment base applied on the infected paws of the group. Application was from the 10th day of post-infection and lasted for 2 weeks. Clinical response and fungal scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in T. rubrum - induced albino rats treated with 1.3, 2.7, and 0.25 ml (neat) concentrations of the test agent compared to infected non-treated group administered simple ointment alone. The test agent (2.7%) produced a clinical response similar to standard drug (ketoconazole).