Gentian Violet: a 19th century drug re-emerges in the 21st century

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Alexander M. Maley, Emory University; Jack Arbiser, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-12-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/exd.12257
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Experimental Dermatology
• ISSN: 0906-6705
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 12
• Start Page: 775
• End Page: 780
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Arbiser was supported by the grant RO1 AR47901and P30 AR42687 Emory Skin Disease Research Core Center Grant from the National Institutes of Health; a Veterans Administration Hospital Merit Award; as well as funds from the Margolis Foundation; Rabinowitch-Davis Foundation for Melanoma Research; and the Betty Minsk Foundation for Melanoma Research.
• Keywords: INFECTION; Gentian Violet; crystal violet; CANDIDA SPP.; DYES; THERAPY; URINARY CATHETERS; Science & Technology; CRYSTAL VIOLET; Dermatology; HEMORRHAGIC CYSTITIS; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; triphenylmethane dye; CARCINOGENICITY; CANCER; GENETIC TOXICITY
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

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.