Dandrene wages a multivalent assault against the fungi that generate dandruff because its formula contains four highly effective antimycotic agents, 1) climbazole, today’s most effective inhibitor of the fungi that generate scales, 2) ketoconazole, proven through years of clinical trials to inhibit fungi, 3) manuka and willow complex, a botanical source of antifungal and anti-irritant action, and 4) extract of pomegranate, a superfruit with properties to regulate epidermal differentiation.

Climbazole tops newest antifungal trials

Dandrene stops dandruff more effectively than shampoos based on coal tar, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulphide, because Dandrene incorporates climbazole, a broad-spectrum antimycotic proven in vitro and in vivo as the most effective against Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum ovale) and Malassezia globosa, the fungi that generate scales. Plus, climbazole is hygroscopic, so it does not deplete cutaneous moisture.
Proprietary clinical studies of climbazole, tested in vivo at 0.5% and 1.5% concentrations and compared against common dandruff ingredients as well as placebo, demonstrate dramatic reductions of dandruff. After four weeks, applied three times per week, the score for placebo edges down by just 16 percent, while the score for 0.5% climbazole falls by 49 percent and the score for 1.5% climbazole sinks an impressive 66 percent. Success continues at eight weeks, with the 0.5% climbazole score down by 69 percent and the 1.5% climbazole score down an astounding 82 percent.

A 2001 German study on safety and efficacy of 0.65% climbazole shampoo follows 30 volunteers with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp. After a one-week washout and four-week course of treatment, clinical evaluation shows a successful reduction in dandruff, skin redness, and itching for 80 percent of the volunteers.

A 1996 German trial compares four dissimilar compounds — climbazole, piroctone olamine, selenium disulfide, and zinc pyrithione — against 22 strains of Malassezia furfur, an anthropophilic yeast associated with dandruff. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for climbazole proves to be just 0.03 m/ml, dramatically less than all others. Zinc pyrithione, the most common ingredient in mass-market dandruff shampoos, requires much greater concentration, 1.0 m/ml. Selenium disulfide requires a full 8.0 m/ml. Piroctone olamine requires 64 m/ml, by far the least active. Dandrene contains both climbazole and ketoconazole.

Another 1996 German study looks at in-vitro MICs for four azole compounds often used in topical therapy — bifonazole, climbazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole — against 30 isolates of Malassezia furfur, a lipophilic fungus found on scalps with dandruff. Climbazole and ketoconazole exert similar high antifungal actions, with bifonazole lower and clotrimazole the least active.

A 1997 German investigation compares MICs for climbazole and silver sulphadiazine, an antimicrobial used in veterinary medicine, tested against Malassezia pachydermatis (M canis), a related yeast found in the ears and scalps of our dogs and cats. Each ingredient gets tested against 40 clinical isolates of M pachydermatis. Antifungal action by climbazole proves much higher than the standard silver-sulphadiazine.

Ketoconazole inhibits fungi in more studies

Dandrene shuts down itching and flaking better than monovalent dandruff shampoos, even those based on the latest antimycotics, because Dandrene incorporates a second member of the powerful azole class, ketoconazole, proven through a decade of trials to perform as effectively as any compound against the fungi that generate dandruff.
Proprietary clinical studies of a 1% ketoconazole shampoo, tested in vivo against a 1% climbazole shampoo, show equal antidandruff activity for the two formulas, down from an average score of 3.4 (dandruff clearly present or strong) to just 1.0 (low level of dandruff) after four weeks. Dandrene contains both climbazole and ketoconazole.

A 2002 randomized parallel-group trial in Belgium evaluates the safety and efficacy of ketoconazole versus zinc pyrithione, both used to control seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. The 331 volunteers treat for four weeks twice weekly. Clinical assessments show that ketoconazole achieves a 73 percent improvement in total dandruff severity. Zinc pyrithione accomplishes just 67 percent. Researchers find the superiority of ketoconazole to be clear to patients.

In a 1999 Philippine study of commercially available dandruff shampoos, six formulas are assessed for antifungal activity against a human isolate of Malassezia furfur. Products represent ketoconazole, as used in Dandrene, plus zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, and other dandruff ingredients. While all display some antifungal effect, the ketoconazole shampoos prove most effective. The 1% formula controls yeast 10 times better than its third-place rival, and the 2% formula works 10 times better than the 1%.

A double-blind crossover study looks into oral ketoconazole for patients with atopic (hereditary) dermatitis. In an open study, subjects take the oral form at 200 mg daily for two months, followed by 200 mg twice weekly for three months. The course of treatment results in clinical improvement for the atopic dermatitis patients, however, oral ketoconazole is not used long term due to a risk of liver toxicity. Topical application of ketoconazole via Dandrene provides a safer alternative.

Manuka and willow inhibit fungi naturally

Dandrene treats dandruff gently and naturally by incorporating a synergic complex of manuka and willow extracts.
The exciting discovery of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), a shrub native to New Zealand and eastern Australia, brings Dandrene a natural source of antifungal agents via the plant’s essential oils, containing 30 percent oxygenated sesquiterpenes/triketones. Potent antidandruff properties of the complex derive from these triketones, as well as from polyphenols and salicylic derivatives.

Manuka and willow inhibit proliferation of the fungi Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum ovale), the yeasts most associated with seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. To reduce irritation and scratching, the complex also inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, through the same pharmacological pathway as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.

Proprietary clinical research in vitro finds that for cyclooxygenase inhibition, 0.1% willow extract in human keratinocyte cultures results in 43 percent anti-irritant activity. The studies find minimum inhibitory concentration of manuka extract against M globosa to be just 0.06%; against M furfur to be just 0.25%.

Also called tea tree, the name manuka comes from New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people, who use the elliptical leaves (seven to 20 mm long) and stringy bark to treat skin disorders. They also chew the seeds.

With such high potency, Western medicinal uses for manuka include fungal treatments, topical antihistamines, and leading cosmeceuticals like Dandrene. The dark rich honey produced from white manuka flowers exerts such strong antimicrobial activity that a New Zealand university formed a manuka honey research unit; an agricultural association produces medical manuka honey; an English hospital conducts trials on manuka honey for cancer patients; and a US company launched manuka honey dressings to help patients with non-healing wounds avoid amputation.

Discovery of manuka extract follows years of published research on manuka’s sibling, the melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia). Both species are called tea tree — so named by English settlers who used both to make tea — and the tea tree oils of both manuka and melaleuca inhibit fungi.

In 2002 Australian trials, dermatologists conduct a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study with 126 volunteers to investigate efficacy and tolerability of 5% tea tree oil from the Melaleuca alternifolia for patients with mild to moderate dandruff. After four weeks, the tea-tree group shows a remarkable 41 percent improvement in its score, compared to just 11 percent for the placebo group. There are no adverse effects.

A 1996 in-vitro study by German pharmacologists evaluates melaleuca tea tree oil against several species of fungi, including 26 strains of dermatophyte, 32 strains of candida, and 22 strains of Malassezia furfur, associated with dandruff. The extract is found to inhibit all fungal isolates in concentrations from 1.4 to 4.1 mg/ml. Used in topical treatments, the active ingredient may be 10 times these levels.

Pomegranate extract suppresses itching

Dandrene calms irritation and itching and generally improves scalp health by incorporating extracts of pomegranate peel (Punica granatum). This botanical breakthrough regulates the epidermal differentiation process to strengthen the critical barrier function of skin.
The tasty nutritious superfruit native to South Asia has exploded in popularity since 2001, providing vitamins C and B, pantothenic acid, potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols shown in many peer-reviewed studies to exert free-radical scavenging activity. Several studies link the substance to antiviral and antibacterial actions and a lowered risk of cancer. Food and supplement manufacturers increasingly use pomegranate extracts to capitalize on growing recognition of botanicals for health.

In proprietary research, antifungal properties are demonstrated using just a 2.5% concentration of Punica granatum, which totally inhibits the fungus Malassezia furfur in vitro. Tested at 0.5% on skin explants, the compound stimulates synthesis of involucrin, a marker in the terminal processes of epidermal differentiation. By restoring balance, pomegranate enables the normal maturation of the stratum corneum, outermost layer of skin.

To quantify the antidandruff effect of pomegranate extract in shampoo, two groups of 17 volunteers with dandruff receive a 4% treatment every two days. After a month, the formula significantly reduces the desquamation index (-30 percent) and total surface occupied by dandruff (-21 percent), measured with D-Squames and a profilometer. Evaluation by a hairdresser finds 27 percent overall reduction in dandruff. Compared to placebo users, pomegranate users report significantly fewer scales (75 vs. 58 percent), far less itching (75 vs. 50 percent), much less irritation (69 vs. 25 percent), and dramatically less sensitivity (69 vs. 17 percent).

Dandrene regulates sebaceous glands to starve fungi and reduce dandruff

Through a second major method of action, Dandrene cuts dandruff by regulating sebum production because the hyperformance formula contains ingredients to dampen excess sebum on which fungi feed, plus ingredients to stimulate more sebum when the scalp becomes too dry.

Greasy dandruff is mediated by the toxic waste of Malassezia globosa, a yeast that consumes saturated fatty acids from sebaceous triglycerides and leaves behind noxious unsaturates. These irritating acids penetrate the epidermis and trigger inflammation, irritation, and scaling for people sensitive to them. Dandrene employs three effective inhibitors of hyperseborrhea, ketoconazole, manuka, and willow.

Ironically, dry dandruff proliferates in an environment of insufficient sebum, called hyposeborrhea. To stimulate sebaceous gland production when needed, Dandrene includes a seboregulating complex of buchu, henna, and maiden hair fern.

Ketoconazole inactivates glands

Dandrene incorporates ketoconazole to reduce seborrhea and scalp irritation because in clinical trials the powerful molecule exerts anti-androgenic activity against dihydrotestosterone, a male hormone known to stimulate sebaceous glands.
A 2001 Belgian study analyzes 1% and 2% ketoconazole shampoos through an open parallel-group trial involving 66 patients with severe dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis. After four weeks of treatment, evaluated by squamae count, fungi count, and clinical assessment, both formulas prove highly effective  for decreasing flakiness, fungi, and overall dandruff severity.

Since seborrhea also fuels androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), in 2001 researchers present a double-blind study of antidandruff shampoos to treat hair loss. One hundred male volunteers with mild to moderate dandruff and oily scalps use either ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione two or three times per week for six months.

Hair diameter increases 8.5 percent with ketoconazole, but decreases 2.3 percent under zinc pyrithione. Sebum excretion goes down 6.5 percent with ketoconazole, but goes up 8.2 percent under zinc pyrithione. The number of hairs shed is reduced by 16.5 percent with ketoconazole, but only 6.0 percent with zinc pyrithione. So ketoconazole proves helpful not only for dandruff, but also for baldness.

Manuka and willow cut sebum naturally

Besides their antimicrobial properties, botanical extracts of manuka and willow are incorporated in Dandrene for their ability to dampen the excess sebum that fuels fungi to create scales.

Native to New Zealand and eastern Australia — called tea tree by early English settlers — the elliptical leaves  (seven to 20 mm long) and stringy inner bark of the manuka shrub (Leptospermum scoparium) have been employed by indigenous Maori people to treat a variety of skin disorders.

The soothing medicinal properties of willow tree leaves and bark were first described by the Greek physician Hippocrates in the fifth century BC. Today we know the active compound to be acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), in the hugely important class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Modern clinical research into manuka and willow complex has volunteers use it in a shampoo for one month. At the end of treatment, researchers observe that manuka and willow extracts reduce seborrhea and its associated dandruff, itching, and redness. The extracts also minimize wounds from scratching, improving overall scalp health.

Using a Sebumeter to measure scalp oil, manuka and willow extracts are found to cut sebum by a dramatic 57 percent, compared to just one percent for placebo. Evaluating the scalp closely with a micro camera, the manuka and willow shampoo leave far fewer scales and less seborrhoea.

Seboregulating complex treats hyposeborrhea

Dandrene treats dry dandruff as well as the greasy form because it includes a synergic seboregulating complex distilled from the roots of buchu, henna, and maidenhair fern.
For the benign form of dry pityriasis, marked by excessive desquamation of fine dry scales, the aesthetic problem correlates with hyposeborrhoea (dry scalp). Extracts of buchu, henna, and maidenhair fern are found to boost sebum production by as much as 66 percent when needed. These properties make the herbs perfect to mitigate dandruff that comes with dry scalp.

The rich essential oils of buchu (Agathosma betulina and A crenulata), flowering shrubs native to South Africa, serve as herbal remedies for gastrointestinal ailments, as well as flavoring agents.

Henna is a tall spined shrub (Lawsonia inermis) with small opposite leaves and panicles of fragrant white flowers, used traditionally in native tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), a genus of 200 species, thrives on moist humus-rich soils and vertical rock walls, especially around waterfalls. High species diversity is found in China and the Andes.

A proprietary study with 29 volunteers, using a lotion containing 10% seboregulating complex for 44 days, measured via clinical observation and gravimetric evaluation with Sebutape and Sebumeter, reveals astounding reduction of dandruff and seborrheic activity. Dry dandruff mass drops by 63 percent, while the number of active sebaceous glands increases by 23 percent, and total sebum output climbs by 66 percent.

Research demonstrates that shampoo with Dandrene’s seboregulating complex exerts positive action to moderate dry dandruff.

Brewer’s yeast repairs and rebuilds hair with vitamins, amino acids, minerals

Dandrene repairs and rebuilds hair and scalp to become strong and shiny again because the shampoo carries brewer’s yeast recovered from the beer making process, a rich source of essential B vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and minerals, including biologically active chromium.

The proteic portion of the brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) used in Dandrene includes all of the sulphurated elements. These include methionine, often used as a dietary supplement, and cystine, a major component of keratin. They work to restructure hair. Meanwhile, polar amino acids like glutamic acid and lysine work to repair hair. Vitamin B complex, especially pyridoxine (B6), adjusts metabolism and works in the mechanism of cellular respiration.

For Dandrene, brewer’s yeast  is obtained by extraction in aqueous medium, retaining its hydrosoluble actives. These include the vitamins thiamine (B1), riboflavin  (B2), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Oligo elements, enzymes, and tannins are also retained.

Brewer’s yeast is so nutritious to human tissue that its autolysates are used to make the commercial products Vegemite (Australia), Marmite (United Kingdom, South Africa), and other yeast-based foods.

Yeast serves humanity for millennia

The prominent 18th-century inventor Benjamin Frankin once wrote that beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy. Today brewer’s yeast keeps hair and scalp happy, lavishing vitamins, proteins, and minerals.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago, Mesopotamian farmers discovered that water used to soak grain had a funny taste. They made two important discoveries, beer and hangovers. About 6,000 years ago, written records of brewing activity came from Sumeria. Around 5,000 years ago, records of bread baking came from Egypt. While early breads could crack teeth, Egyptians discovered that breads made with yeast turned out light and tasty. Fermentation gives off carbon dioxide gas and ethanol. In bread, the trapped gas bubbles make the final product light and fluffy. In beer, the ethanol makes the drink intoxicating.

Classified in the kingdom Fungi, about 1,500 species of yeasts have been described, adapted to environments with high sugar content. Their size can vary greatly, typically 3–4 µm in diameter, although some exceed 40 µm. Industry has long used yeasts in processes involving fermentation.

Dandrene contains Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the same species used in nutritional yeast products popular with vegans, because of its high protein, vitamins, and minerals. It has a nutty cheesy flavor.

S cerevisiae figures prominently in biological research, since the cycle of a yeast cell is so similar to that of a human cell. Unicellular fungi like S cerevisiae usually multiply asexually through budding (pinching off part of the parent) or fission (splitting in half). They have thick walls and ovoid shapes around 10 µm by 5 µm.

Yeasts grow best in a neutral pH environment, with an optimum temperature between 30° and 37°C. In 1996, S cerevisiae was the first eukaryote (with visible nuclei and organelles) to have its genome, consisting of 12 million base pairs, fully sequenced as part of the Genome Project. It took seven years and involved more than 100 laboratories.