Cell experiment:

A total of 121 isolates of pathogenic fungi are tested. The three drugs (including Oxiconazole nitrate) are serially diluted in sterile saline. For each test plate, 2 mL of a solution of drug in sterile saline is added to an 18 mL blank of molten agar medium at 50℃ and mixed well; the resulting mixtures are then poured into the plates and allowed to solidify. The resulting drug dilution sequences range from 128 to 0.063 μg/mL. Control plates are prepared in a similar manner using 2 mL blanks of sterile saline. The plates are then inoculated using a replicator. Incubation is at 30℃ for a minimum of 96 hr. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) is defined as the lowest concentration of drug producing complete inhibition of growth[1].

Animal experiment:

Fifty adult rats are divided into 5 groups consisting of 10 animals each. Over 14 days, the rats in group I receive 0.1 mL of Oxiconazole nitrate-containing solution drops, group II receives 4% boric acid solution in alcohol drops, and groups III and IV receive gentamicin (40 mg/mL) and saline solutions, respectively. Group V receives no medication. Each solution used is given twice a day[2].

Oxiconazole is a new imidazole derivative with a broad fungistatic spectrum against the agents of human mycoses in vitro. Subinhibitory concentrations of oxiconazole inhibited synthesis of DNA and decreased synthesis of RNA, protein and carbohydrate to a lesser extent. In trichophytosis in the guinea-pig and vaginal candidiasis in the rat, oxiconazole exhibited high topical activity. In dermal infection with T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum, systemic histoplasmosis, oxiconazole showed systemic oral activity. Oxiconazole was inactive in cryptococcosis and aspergillosis in the mouse [1].

In vitro: oxiconazole is highly effective against many dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Epidermophyton floccosum. After application to the skin, oxiconazole is rapidly absorbed into the stratum corneum, maximum concentrations often being attained within 100 minutes. Fungicidal concentrations are maintained in the epidermis, upper corium, and deeper corium for at least five hours, and levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentrations of susceptible fungi are present in the corneum, epidermis, upper corium, and the hair follicle for over 16 hours [2].

In patients with tinea pedis treated once daily for four weeks and patients with inea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea versicolor treated once daily for two weeks, 1% oxiconazole cream produced mycologic and clinical cures in at least 80% of patients. In plantar-type tinea pedis caused primarily by T rubrum, once-daily oxiconazole cream resulted in a mycologic cure in 76% of patients [2].

References:
[1] Polak A.  Oxiconazole, a new imidazole derivative. Evaluation of antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo[J]. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1981, 32(1): 17-24.
[2] Jegasothy B V, Pakes G E.  Oxiconazole nitrate: pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of a new imidazole antifungal agent[J]. Clinical therapeutics, 1990, 13(1): 126-141.