Isolutrol

Maclab's collaborative research with Professor Kosuge at Shizuoka University in Japan led to the discovery in the late 1980s of a compound of marine origin, Sodium Scymnol Sulphate, now known as Isolutrol. Isolutrol has the unique property of normalising excessively oily skin without causing excessive dryness. Maclab patented this discovery and the compound was further developed and synthesised utilising the scientific expertise of RMIT University in Melbourne, and Australia's premier government research organisation, the CSIRO. For the past ten years Isolutrol has been incorporated into the products of some of the world's leading cosmetic companies, as well as acne formulations.

SODIUM SCYMNOL SULPHATE

"ISOLUTROL"

Chemical name:

24R-3a,7a,12a,24,26-pentahydroxy-5ß-cholestane-27-yl sodium sulphate (sodium 24R-scymnol sulphate)

Trade name:

Isolutrol

Molecular formula:

C27H47NaO9S

Toxicology:

Extensive testing at Cantab in the UK showed no toxicity

Mechanism of Action:

The exact mode of action is unknown, but the clinical tests conducted by Dr. P. Fabre in Paris showed that Ketsugo lotion containing Isolutrol restored balance to sebum production in the skin. That is, sebum levels in the skin were normalised without causing excessive dryness.

In healthy skin, the sebaceous secretion is normal and oil percolates naturally through the skin pores to preserve suppleness. For a variety of reasons, sometimes the sebaceous glands produce excess oil, known as hyperseborrhea of oily and combination skins. Hyperseborrhea can slow the elimination of dead skin cells which causes blockages of the pores leading to the formation of blackheads and, in some cases, pimples and microcysts.

Clinical data / research:

• 1988 Doctor P. Fabre in Paris conducted a double-blind placebo controlled study of 40 patients with excessively oily facial skin. It was shown that in 65% of cases Ketsugo lotion (containing Isolutrol) succeeded in restoring balanced sebum production after a 3 week treatment period. The average level of oiliness was reduced by almost 40%. Both the dermatologist and the volunteers judged the skin condition of the participants to be greatly improved in those receiving the Isolutrol whilst those receiving the placebo showed no alteration, and their skin remained in poor condition.

• "Isolutrol 1991 Volunteer Studies on 20 people with facial acne vulgaris", Dr David Fenton, St John's Dermatology Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, London: 20 volunteer patients participated in this open study and applied Ketsugo lotion (containing Isolutrol) twice daily, in the morning and before retiring. Fifteen of the twenty volunteers completed the two month study. Results demonstrated that 14 out of the 15 patients completing the study showed some improvement in their facial acne. The greatest improvement (reduction in acne severity and grading) was seen within the first month and this was either maintained at the same level throughout the second month of treatment or improved further. 1 patient of the final 15 failed to show any improvement throughout the trial period.

Dr David Fenton's findings were presented at The Australasian College of Dermatologists Annual Meeting 1992.

Published in The Australasian Journal of Dermatology 1995 Feb;36(1):13-5

A comparative study of isolutrol versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne.

Dunlop KJ, Barnetson RS.

Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Isolutrol is the active principle isolated from aqueous tissue extracts of deep sea shark liver and gall-bladder. A previous study has demonstrated the ability of isolutrol to reduce hyperseborrhoea, which provides a rationale for its use in the treatment of acne. We have performed a double-blind clinical trial on 70 patients to evaluate the efficacy and skin tolerance of isolutrol 0.15 g/100 mL (Ketsugo) in the treatment of mild to moderate acne when compared with 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion. The results from this study showed that both isolutrol and benzoyl peroxide significantly improved patients' acne by reducing the number of inflamed lesions. Isolutrol did not significantly reduce the numbers of non-inflamed lesions whereas benzoyl peroxide did. Fewer side effects were experienced by patients treated with isolutrol when compared with benzoyl peroxide. These results indicate that isolutrol may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of acne, particularly in patients with inflamed lesions.