Abstract:
Fulvic acid salts, esters or derivatives thereof in pharmaceutical preparations are effective for treating inflammation, acne, exzema or bacterial or fungal or viral infections. These pharmaceutical preparations may be given either orally or topically in the form of a solution, paste, ointment, powder to humans or animals.

Description:
This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/IB99/01649 which has an International filing date of Oct. 8, 1999, which designated the United States of America. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fulvic acid and its use in the treatment of various conditions. 
     Humic substances are ubiquitous in nature and arise from the decay of plant and animal residues in the environment (MacCarthe et al. 1990). These substances can be divided into humic acid, fulvic acid and human on the basis of the solubility in water as a function of pH. Fulvic acid is the fraction that is soluble in water under all pH conditions and is in general lower in molecular size and weight and lower in colour intensity than humic acids. 
     Humic substances commonly account for 50% of the dissolved organic carbon concentrations in stream water, of which 90 to 95% are fulvic acids. Humic acids are 3 to 5 times more abundant in soils than fulvic acids (Stevenson, 1982), whereas fulvic acids are 9 to 10 times more abundant in water than humic acids (Malcolm, 1985). 
     Humic acids have been successfully used in the treatment of: 
     (i) hyperacidity and other gastric disturbances in humans (Reichert, 1966, Gramsch, 1961) 
     (ii) inflammation (Salz 1974, Motohisa et al., 1974) 
     (iii) anemia and hypercholesterolemia (Soloveyva and Lotosh 1984) 
     (iv) Von Willebrand disease (Lopez-Fernandez et al., 1992) 
     The possible application of fulvic acid in the treatment of human and animal diseases has, up to now, not been investigated. 
     Wang et al (1996) studied the interaction between fulvic acids and active oxygen free radical and found fulvic acids from peat were able to scavenge both superoxide and hydroxyl radical. It has also been shown that fulvic acids prevent the absorption of mutagens through the rat small intestine using a highly mutagenic furanone found in chlorinated water and an in vitro everted rat gut sac system (Clark and Chipman, 1995). 
     Although the presence of fulvic acids in the drinking water of certain parts of China has been coupled to the incidence of Kashin-Beck disease, this only occurred in conjunction with a selenium deficient diet (Peng and Xu, 1987). 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,999,202 and 5,204,368 disclose compositions having bacterial and bacteriostatic properties containing a fulvic acid, salt or derivative thereof as the active ingredient. These compositions are described as being useful as disinfectants. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fulvic acid, salt, ester or derivative thereof as the active ingredient. 
     The pharmaceutical composition may be provided for oral or topical administration to a subject. 
     In the case of topical administration, the composition may be provided in the form of a solution, paste, ointment, powder or any other form suitable for topical administration. 
     The subject may be a human or an animal. 
     Further according to the invention, there is provided the use of a fulvic acid, salt, ester or derivative thereof, in the treatment of a condition of a subject. The condition may, for example, be inflammation, acne, eczema or bacterial or fungal or viral infections. 
     The treatment of the condition may be by oral or topical administration. 
     The subject is typically a human or an animal. 
     The fulvic acid is preferably a fulvic acid derived from a wet coal oxidation process of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,256. Such a fulvic acid is hereinafter referred to as “oxifulvic acid or OFA”. 
     Bergh et al. (1997) identified almost 50 different compounds, most of which were carboxylic acids, in oxifulvic acid. The compounds were mostly ordinary physiological metabolites with no evidence of any toxic compound in the product mixture. 
     A typical functional group analysis of oxifulvic acid is given below: 
     Total acid groups: 11.5-15.5 meq/g 
     Carboxylic groups: 8.5-12.5 meq/g 
     Phenolic groups: 2.3-3.7 meq/g 
     In an example of the invention, a composition for topical application to a human or animal Comprises 4.5 percent, or 9.0 percent, by mass of oxifulvic acid in an aqueous cream. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 to  4  illustrate graphically the results of certain tests carried out on oxifulvic acid, and 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate photographically the results of treating pyotraumatic dermatitis using an oxifulvic acid cream of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The active ingredient in the practice of the invention is a fulvic acid, salt, ester or derivative thereof. Oxifulvic acid, having the preferred functional group analysis mentioned above, has been subjected to a number of in vitro and in vivo studies and these are described hereinafter. 
     The Effects of Oxifulvic Acid on Immune Functions In Vitro 
     The Effects of Oxifulvic Acid on the Production of Oxidants by Human Neutrophils. 
     Human neutrophils (separated on Ficoll) were treated with oxifulvic acid (at 12.5 and 25 ug/ml) for 15 min at 37° C. The cells were stimulated with PMA (phorbol myristate acetate) (20 ng/ml) and superoxide production determined by measuring the superoxide-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C (1 mM). A significant inhibition of superoxide production was observed at both concentrations tested (Table 1). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 The effects of oxifulvic acid on 
               
               
                 PMA-activated neutrophil superoxide production 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 nmoles superoxide/ 
               
               
                   
                 Treatment 
                 10 6  neutrophils/10 min* 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Resting 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Control 
                 0.072 
               
               
                   
                 Stimulated (+PMA) 
               
               
                   
                 Control 
                 67.2 
               
               
                   
                 + oxifulvic acid (12.5 ug/ml) 
                 59 
               
               
                   
                 (25 ug/ml) 
                 43 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *average data of two experiments  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The superoxide scavenging activities of oxifulvic acid (at 25 ug/ml) were determined using the hypoxanthine (1 mM)/xanthine-oxidase (100 mU/ml) enzymatic system to generate superoxide. Oxifulvic acid exhibited superoxide-scavenging activity (Table 2). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Superoxide scavenging activities of oxifulvic acid at 25 ug/ml. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Treatment 
                 nmoles superoxide* 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Control 
                 55.95 
               
               
                   
                 Oxifulvic acid 
                 41.25 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *average data of two experiments  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The Effects of Oxifulvic Acid on the Proliferative Response of a Mixed Lymphocyte Culture 
     These experiments were performed by co-culturing the lymphocytes of two different donors in both the presence and absence of serial dilutions of the experimental agent for 7 days. Oxifulvic acid caused a dose-related inhibition of cell growth (FIG.  1 ). 
     The Effects of Oxifulvic Acid on Interleukin 2 (IL-2) Production by Human Lymphocytes 
     Phytohemaglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures were treated with oxifulvic acid at 60, 80 and 100 μg/ml for 2 days, whereafter the cells were centrifuged and the supernatant assayed for IL-2 levels, using a Biotrak TM human interleukin 2 ELISA system from Amersham TM (Amersham International Plc, Buckinghamshire, England). 
     Oxifulvic acid caused a statistically significant decrease in IL-2 production by stimulated lymphocytes at all three concentrations tested (FIG.  2 ). 
     Evaluation of Oxifulvic Acid as an Anti-Inflammatory Compound In Vivo 
     1. Evaluation in Dinitrofluorobenzene Sensitized Mice 
     The effects of oxifulvic acid (4.5 and 9% cream applied topically) in 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB) sensitized mice were evaluated using 50 BALB C female mice (6-7 weeks old) according to the method described by Rheins et al (1987). The mice were sensitized by application of DNFB to the shaved abdomen, divided into 5 groups and challenged on the right ear 6 days later. The inflamed ears of the mice in each group were treated topically for two days with one of the following creams i.e. control cream, oxifulvic acid 4.5%, oxifulvic acid 9%, dichlophenac sodium 1% (Voltaren Emulgel®) and betamethasone 0.1% (Betnovate®). The thickness of the ear was measured with a clock gauge before the challenge and 24 and 48 h later. 
     All four treatments caused a significant decrease in inflammation on both days (FIG.  3 ). These results were confirmed microscopically after termination of the mice and embedding the affected ears in paraffin wax. 
     No signs of toxicity was observed during the two days of treatment with the two oxifulvic acid creams. 
     An experiment was also carried out to study the possible variation between creams derived from oxifulvic acid batches sampled from different runs (98100055 and 98110067) as well as from different batches (99030086 to 99030089) sampled on consecutive days from the same continuous run. In this study 7 groups of 5 mice per group were used. The first group was treated with control cream whereas the other 6 groups were treated with the above-described 6 different 9% oxifulvic acid creams. The results of this experiment are reflected in FIG.  4 . 
     Again no sign of toxicity was observed during the two days of treatment with the six oxifulvic acid creams. 
     Similar results were obtained as in the previous experiment. Oxifulvic acid, once again, caused a statistically significant inhibition of inflammation in this model. An analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) was performed on the results obtained with the different oxifulvic acid creams. For day one the P value is 0.131 and day two 0.761. There was, therefore, no significant difference between the various samples tested. 
     2(a) Evaluation in Pyotraumatic Dermatitis in Cats and Dogs 
     This trial was done by Dr O J Botha, Hatfield Bird and Animal Hospital, Pretoria. Ten clinical cases were entered in the trial. To qualify for this trial the following entities had to be present on the skin of the animals: wheal, erythema, pruritis and pyogenesis. Lesions were classified as slight, mild or severe before treatment. No other treatment was allowed during the trial. Owners were supplied with the 9% oxifulvic acid cream and instructed to apply the cream twice a day to the affected areas. This treatment had to continue for seven days. The owners were asked to return exactly seven days after the treatment commenced and the cases were reevaluated clinically, biopsied and photographed. 
     Decreased inflammation was observed clinically as well as pathologically in all 10 cases studied as can be seen from the histopathological investigation described hereinafter. No side effects were noted in any of the cases. In most cases it was noted that resolutions of the lesions were complete and did not recur. Only in one of the cases, described as a chronic and longstanding case, did the owner return after 3 days because the dog was still scratching extensively. A short-acting cortisone was then administered and the dog responded favourably. A typical example of the results obtained during this trial can be seen in FIG.  5 . These photographs were taken before and after the treatment of a dalmation dog with lesions on the left medial humerus. Before treatment (FIG. 5A) severe wheal, erythema and pyogenesis were noted while after treatment (FIG. 5B) an absence of erythema and pyogenesis and only very slight remaining wheal were noted. In addition, the biopsy lesions of the first biopsy were completely healed. 
     2(b) Histopathological Investigation: Skin Biopsies: Clinical Study: Topical Ointment—9% Fulvic Acid Cream 
     Method 
     Clinical cases having lesions of allergic dermatitis and wet eczema were identified in different species of animal as shown in Table 3. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Information on clinical cases 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Lab no 
                 Treatment group 
                 Species 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 3973 A1 
                 Control 
                 Cat (house cat) 
               
               
                 3973 A2 
                 Treatment 
                 Cat (house cat) 
               
               
                 3973 B1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (Bull Mastiff) 
               
               
                 3973 B2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (Bull Mastiff) 
               
               
                 3973 C1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (Bull dog) 
               
               
                 3973 C2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (Bull dog) 
               
               
                 4991 A1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (Dalmation) 
               
               
                 4991 A2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (Dalmation) 
               
               
                 4991 B1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (Maltese) 
               
               
                 4991 B2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (Maltese) 
               
               
                 4991 C1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (St. Bernard) 
               
               
                 4991 C2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (St. Bernard) 
               
               
                 4991 D1 
                 Control 
                 Dog (Maltese) 
               
               
                 4991 D2 
                 Treatment 
                 Dog (Maltese) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Biopsies of control lesions (prior to treatment) of approximately 3 mm were collected, fixed in formalin and followed up with biopsies as close as possible to the site of the previous biopsy following treatment. 
     The formalin-fixed skin-biopsies were processed according to standard routine methods used for histological studies, embedded in paraffin-wax and slices of 6 μm each were prepared. All slices were coloured using the Haemotoxillin and Eosine staining method. 
     Histopathological Findings 
     The histopathological findings are shown in Table 4. The control samples were initially investigated for specific morphological lesions which were graded as indicated in Table 4. The biopsies of the treated lesions were evaluated similarly. 
     It must be kept in mind that in each case each lesion could only be compared to its original control lesion, due to the fact that the specific ethiology and morphological changes differed in each of the cases. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Histopathological findings: Clinical trials: Enerkom 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Case 3973 A1: Control lesion 
                 Surface exudative dermatitis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ulceration (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 3973 A2: Treated lesion 
                 Surface exudative dermatitis (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ulceration (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 3973 B1: Control lesion 
                 Hyperplastic epithelia (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperpigmentation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (3+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 3973 B2: Treated lesion 
                 Hyperplastic epithelia (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperpigmentation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 3973 C1: Control lesion 
                 Surface exudation (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis(3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (3+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 3973 C2: Treated lesion 
                 Surface exudation (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 A1: Control lesion 
                 Ulceration and exudation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 A2: Treated lesion 
                 Ulceration and exudation (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (1+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 B1: Control lesion 
                 Surface exudation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 B2: Treated lesion 
                 Surface exudation (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (2+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 C1: Control lesion 
                 Surface exudative dermatitis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ulcerative boils (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (2+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (3+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 C2: Treated lesion 
                 Surface exudative dermatitis (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ulcerative boils (−) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 D1: Control lesion 
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (3+) 
               
               
                   
                 Case 4991 D2: Treated lesion 
                 Hyperplastic epidermis (3+) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Dermal inflammation (1+) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Key: − absent  
               
               
                   
                 1+ light  
               
               
                   
                 2+ medium  
               
               
                   
                 3+ severe  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Conclusion 
     These results must be interpreted as being histopathological observations only. These results are presented in addition to the clinical observations of the lesions that were treated. 
     In general, and with due regard to the abovementioned limitations, it appears as if healing was promoted and inflammation reduced in the treated lesions. 
     The surface (shallow) exudative dermatitis (acute inflammation) did show accelerated healing in all cases. Hyperplastic epidermis (acantosis) is a chronic condition and thus showed little change upon treatment. The degree of dermal inflammation was also reduced in all except one of the treated lesions when compared to the original untreated lesions. 
     There were no controls or lesions that were left untreated for the same period of time as the treated lesions. Spontaneous healing can thus not be excluded as a contributing factor when interpreting these results. 
     Toxicity Studies in Experimental Animals 
     The applicant has undertaken acute and chronic toxicity studies which served to prove the safety and very low toxicity of oxifulvic acid. 
     Acute oral and dermal toxicity studies, acute dermal and eye irritation studies, skin sensitization studies as well as subchronic oral and dermal toxicity studies, in which the oxifulvic acid solution (25.4% concentrate) and the oxifulvic acid cream (formulated to contain 5.33% oxifulvic acid in this particular instance) were evaluated. The results of the investigations are summarized in Tables 5 and 6. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 25,4% Oxifulvic acid toxicity studies 
               
             
          
           
               
                 STUDY 
                   
                   
               
               
                 NUMBER 
                 TYPE OF STUDY 
                 RESULTS 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1388 
                 Acute oral toxicity in rats 
                 LD 50  value &gt;3380 mg/kg 
               
               
                 1389 
                 Acute dermal toxicity in rats 
                 LD 50  value &gt;5712 mg/kg 
               
               
                 1390 
                 Acute dermal irritation 
                 Non-irritant 
               
               
                 1391 
                 Acute eye irritation 
                 Non-irritant 
               
               
                 1392 
                 Skin sensitization 
                 Weak skin sensitizer 
               
               
                 1520 
                 Subchronic oral toxicity in 
                 Highest dose tested was 
               
               
                   
                 rats (90 day study) 
                 1000 mg/kg/day. No deaths 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or sick animals. Slight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alterations in blood 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chemistry and slight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 decreases in body masses. 
               
               
                 1530 
                 Subchronic dermal toxicity in 
                 Highest dose tested was 
               
               
                   
                 rats (90 day study) 
                 1000 mg/kg/day (of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 active substance) No 
               
               
                   
                   
                 deaths or sick animals. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Slight alterations in blood 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chemistry and slight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 decreases in body masses. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 5,33% Oxifulvic acid cream toxicity studies 
               
             
          
           
               
                 STUDY 
                   
                   
               
               
                 NUMBER 
                 TYPE OF STUDY 
                 RESULTS 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1393 
                 Acute oral toxicity in rats 
                 LD 50  value &gt;4147 mg/kg 
               
               
                 1394 
                 Acute dermal toxicity in rats 
                 LD 50  value &gt;8599 mg/kg 
               
               
                 1395 
                 Acute dermal irritation in 
                 Slight irritant 
               
               
                   
                 rabbits 
               
               
                 1396 
                 Acute eye irritation in rabbits 
                 Non-irritant 
               
               
                 1397 
                 Skin sensitization in guinea 
                 Moderate skin sensitizer 
               
               
                   
                 pigs 
               
               
                 1512 
                 Subchronic dermal toxicity in 
                 Highest dose tested was 
               
               
                   
                 rats (90 day study) 
                 1000 mg/kg/day. No deaths 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or sick animals. Slight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alterations in blood 
               
               
                   
                   
                 chemistry and local 
               
               
                   
                   
                 irritation at site of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 application 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Discussion 
     The data shows that none of the products produced any measurable toxicity during the acute dermal or oral exposure tests. 
     During the sub-chronic oral and dermal toxicity studies with both substances very high doses were used. Animals were dosed with 1000 mg/kg/day of the active substance in the oxifulvic acid study. The 5.33% oxifulvic acid cream was applied to the skin of rats at a dose rate of 1000 mg/kg/day for a period of 90 days. No abnormal clinical signs were noticed and none of the animals died during the studies. The changes in the clinical pathology and body masses in the animals receiving the test item were relatively small. 
     The Antimicrobial Properties of Oxifulvic Acid 
     The antimicrobial properties of an oxifulvic acid solution (25.4 percent by mass of the fulvic acid) and a 4.5 percent by mass oxifulvic acid cream were evaluated in vitro on a number of well known pathogens. The results obtained are presented in Tables 7 and 8. The symbol + denotes growth, and the symbol − denotes no growth. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Antimicrobial activity of 25.4% oxifulvic acid solution 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Dilution 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Organism 
                 1:2 
                 1:10 
                 1:20 
                 1:40 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 β-Hemolytic streptococcus 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Streptococcus faecalis 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Klebsiella pneumoniae 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pseudomonas aeruginosa 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
               
               
                   
                   Candida  spp. 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Escherichia coli 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Proteus mirabilis 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Staphylococcus aureus 
                 
                 − 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Antimicrobial activity of 4,5% oxifulvic acid cream 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Dilution 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Organism 
                 1:2 
                 1:10 
                 1:20 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 β-Hemolytic streptococcus 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Streptococcus faecalis 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Klebsiella pneumoniae 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Pseudomonas aeruginosa 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Candida spp. 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Escherichia coli 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Proteus mirabilis 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                 
                   Staphylococcus aureus 
                 
                 − 
                 + 
                 + 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Further, the efficacy of the 4.5 percent oxifulvic acid cream and a 25.4 percent by mass oxifulvic acid solution to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi was tested in accordance with the SABS method 730 (in vitro) on a few test organisms. The results obtained are set out in Table 9. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Bacteriostatic and fungistatic efficacy of 4.5% oxifulvic acid cream and 25.4% oxifulvic acid solution 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Diameters (mm) of the zones of inhibition 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Pseudomonas 
                 Escherichia 
                 Staphylococcus 
                 Aspergillus 
                 Candida 
                 Streptococcus 
               
               
                 Samples 
                 Dilution 
                 aeruginosa 
                 coli 
                 ureus 
                 niger 
                 albicans 
                 pyogenes 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Solution 
                 25.4% 
                 29.4 
                 29.36 
                 &gt;29.0 
                 18.83 
                 118.36 
                 22.71 
               
               
                 Solution 
                 5000 ppm 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
                 No zone 
                 No zone 
                 N/T 
               
               
                 Solution 
                 1000 ppm 
                 No zone 
                 No zone 
                 No zone 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
               
               
                 Solution 
                 1500 ppm 
                 No zone 
                 No zone 
                 No zone 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
                 N/T 
               
               
                 Cream 
                  4.5% 
                 15.6 
                 14.74 
                 28.8 
                 9.66 
                  9.58 
                 13.39 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 N/T = not tested  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     From the aforegoing studies it can be seen that oxifulvic acid exhibits some measure of antimicrobial activity or bacteriostatic or fungistatic efficacy against some of the test organisms, even when formulated in a cream. 
     The 4.5 percent oxifulvic acid cream was subjected to a preservative efficacy test by the Microbiological Division of the SABS and it was found that the cream complied with the requirements of the USP 23 (1995). 
     Antiviral Activity of Oxifulvic Acid 
     Methods 
     The following viruses were tested: 
     Human herpes simplex virus type 1 
     Human adenovirus type 2 
     Simian rotavirus SA 11 
     Poliovirus type 1 Sabin vaccine strain 
     Coxsackie B virus type 1 laboratory strain 
     Coxsackie A virus type 9 laboratory isolate 
     Viruses were grown in either vervet monkey kidney cells or a primary liver cancer cell line (PLC/PRF/5). Stock virus suspensions were titrated to establish their titre and to prepare a viral suspension containing 100×50% tissue culture infectious dose (100 TCID 50 )/200 μl. 
     Prevention of binding of viruses to the host cell: Monolayers of the appropriate cell cultures in 96-well microtitre trays were washed and starved for a minimum of 1 hr in serum-free MEM. After starvation, doubling dilutions of oxifulvic acid in serum-free MEM were added to each well together with 100 TCID 50  virus. The microtitre trays were incubated at 37° C. and examined daily, for 7 days, for CPE. Wells inoculated with 100 TCID 50  viruses and no oxifulvic acid acted as positive controls. The appearance of CPE indicated that no inhibition of binding had taken place. 
     Inhibition of viral replication in the host cell: Monolayers of the appropriate cell cultures in 96-well microtitre trays were washed and starved for a minimum of 1 hr in serum-free MEM. After starvation 100 TCID 50  virus was added to all wells and allowed to adsorb for 1-2 hrs. After adsorption, the unadsorbed viruses were washed from the wells using serum-free MEM. Thereafter doubling dilutions of oxifulvic acid, in serum-free MEM, were added to the appropriate wells. The microtitre trays were incubated at 37° C. and examined daily, for 7 days, for CPE. Wells inoculated with 100 TCID 50  viruses and no oxifulvic acid acted as positive controls. The appearance of CPE indicated that no inhibition of viral replication had taken place. 
     Results 
     The effects of oxifulvic acid on the binding of viruses to the host cells as well as on the replication of viruses can be seen in Tables 10A and 10B. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10A 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Effects of oxifulvic acid on the binding of viruses to the host cells 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Lowest 
               
               
                   
                   
                 concentration 
               
               
                   
                 Lowest concentration at 
                 at which limited 
               
               
                   
                 which 100% viral inhibition 
                 viral inhibition 
               
               
                   
                 was noted at day 6 or 7 post 
                 was notices 
               
               
                 Virus 
                 infection (mg/ml) 
                 (mg/ml) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Herpes simplex virus 
                 1.875 
                 0.234 
               
               
                 type 1 
               
               
                 Human adenovirus type 2 
                 3.75 
                 0.937 
               
               
                 Simian rotavirus SA 11 
                 1.875 
                 0.058 
               
               
                 Polio virus type 1 
                 1.875 
                 0.468 
               
               
                 Coxsackie B virus type 1 
                 1.875 
                 0.937 
               
               
                 Coxsackie A virus type 9 
                 1.875 
                 1.875 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 TABLE 10B 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Effects of oxifulvic acid on the replication of viruses 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Lowest 
               
               
                   
                 Lowest concentration at 
                 concentration 
               
               
                   
                 which 100% viral inhibition 
                 at which limited 
               
               
                   
                 was noted at day 6 or 7 post 
                 viral inhibition 
               
               
                 Virus 
                 infection 
                 was noticed 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Herpes simplex virus 
                 1.875 
                 0.937 
               
               
                 type 1 
               
               
                 Human adenovirus type 2 
                 3.75 
                 1.875 
               
               
                 Simian rotavirus SA 11 
                 3.75 
                 0.234 
               
               
                 Polio virus type 1 
                 0.468 
                 0.234 
               
               
                 Coxsackie B virus type 1 
                 1.875 
                 0.937 
               
               
                 Coxsackie A virus type 9 
                 1.875 
                 0.468 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Discussion 
     Oxifulvic acid prevented the binding of the six experimental virus cultures between 1.87 mg/ml and 3.75 mg/ml whereas inhibition of viral replication was inhibited at concentrations between 0.469 mg/ml and 3.75 mg/ml. Limited inhibition of viral replication was noted at a concentration as low as 0.103 mg/ml in the case of simian rotavirus SA 11. 
     Oxifulvic acid is therefore a compound that 
     i) scavenges the neutrophil-derived pro-inflammatory reactive oxidant superoxide; 
     ii) decreases production of the lymphocyte-derived pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-2; 
     iii) inhibits a mixed lymphocyte reaction typical of a transplanted organ rejection reaction; 
     iv) has in vitro activity against Gram positive, Gram negative, as well as fungal and viral human pathogens; 
     v) inhibits a contact hypersensitivity reaction induced in dinitrofluorobenzene sensitized mice as effectively as generally used anti-inflammatory agents such as dichlophenac sodium and betamethasone (these two agents are however associated with serious adverse side effects); 
     vi) has in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against pyotraumatic dermatitis in cats and dogs; and 
     vii) has very low toxicity in experimental animals. 
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