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Gentian Violet: a 19th century drug re‐emerges in the 21st century
Author(s) -
Maley Alexander M.,
Arbiser Jack L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12257
Subject(s) - thioredoxin reductase , antifungal , drug , nadph oxidase , chemistry , dermatology , pharmacology , biology , thioredoxin , medicine , biochemistry , oxidative stress
Abstract Gentian violet ( GV ) has a long and varied history as a medicinal agent. Historically used as an antibacterial and antifungal, recent reports have shown its utility as an antitypranosomal, antiviral and anti‐angiogenic agent. The objective of this article is to summarize evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of GV use in dermatology. Recent discoveries have found novel targets of GV , namely NADPH oxidase in mammalian cells and thioredoxin reductase 2 in bacterial, fungal and parasitic cells. These discoveries have expanded the use of GV in the 21st century. Given that GV is well tolerated, effective and inexpensive, its use in dermatology is predicted to increase.