Azelaic acid has antimycotic properties in vitro.

Azelaic acid is a therapeutic agent with well-known antibacterial properties, but its antimycotic effect has not yet been investigated systematically. In this study we have used an agar dilution technique to test the inhibitory effect of azelaic acid upon common dermatophytes, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Pityrosporum ovale. As a result, the growth of dermatophytes and S. brevicaulis was suppressed by 0.56% azelaic acid and that of P. ovale by 1%. By 4% azelaic acid C. glabrata was inhibited completely, but C. albicans still maintained some growth. The antimycotic effect of azelaic acid occurred at pH values between 4.8 and 5.5, whereas its disodium salt had no such effect at pH 6.1. Considering the favorable pharmacological data of azelaic acid, our results give reason to investigate the antimycotic effect of this agent in vivo.