Enhanced delivery of an anti-dandruff active in a shampoo vehicle

Formulating a delivery vehicle to enhance activity can potentially give higher activity or allow for adjustment to a lesser percent of active. A study was conducted in which the anti-dandruff active, Octopirox^®, INCI Piroctone Olamine [1-Hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-2(1H)-pyridinone], was incorporated into a simple shampoo base at two levels as well as in the same base with an added amphiphilic surfactant blend (Biobase^® SMC) at the lower level. A group of 30 male subjects with moderate to severe dandruff were divided into three groups each of which evaluated one of three products for 4 weeks. Methods of evaluation included gravimetric determination of actual dandruff flakes, fluorescent staining of suspect yeast populations, blind evaluation by trained clinical personnel and panelist self assessment. The study demonstrated that the Octopirox^® at 0.2% active delivered in the amphiphile blend was superior to the same level in the simple shampoo base and equivalent in activity to a much higher level (0.5%) in the base only. A proposed mechanism postulates the formation of liposome-like association structures that solubilize and entrap the Octopirox^® and deposit is substantively to the scalp for enhanced longer lasting activity.