Dandruff is irritating, itchy, and it leads to scalp skin diseases. The treatment includes using anti-dandruff gels and shampoos. Most of the commonly used dandruff treatments have Zinc Pyrithione, or ZPT, as the active ingredient. It is successful in giving relief to many patients over the years. This study aims to understand the ZPT molecular mechanisms that generate anti-fungal actions.
ZPT is very useful in inhibiting the growth of scalp fungus. Understanding its molecular mechanisms enriches the quality of therapeutic solutions. In this study, the researchers used modern systems biology techniques like microarray analysis and screening of yeast deletion library. It also included traditional metrics like microbial growth. During this study, researchers also measured the enzyme assays and metal content.
The results clarified how ZPT active ingredients restrict fungal spread. They increase the cellular levels of copper, which damages iron-sulfur protein clusters. These proteins are vital for fungal metabolism on the scalp. Thus ZPT contains the scalp fungus by damaging its internal growth.
This study firmly establishes the molecular basis of ZPT’s anti-fungal efficacy. The copper toxicity mechanism of ZPT is effective in targeting and destroying the critical fungal proteins like iron and sulfur clusters.
Ref: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10571.x
