Zinc pyrithione: Encyclopedia - Zinc pyrithione

Zinc pyrithione

Zinc pyrithione (abbreviated ZnP and also known as pyrithione zinc) is an antifungal agent best known for its use in treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. It also has antibacterial properties and is effective against many pathogens from the streptococcus and staphylococcus class. Other medical uses involve treatment of psoriasis, eczema, ringworm, fungus, athletes foot, dry skin, atypical dermatitis, tinea, vitiligo, etc.

Due to its low solubility in water (8 ppm at neutral pH), it is commonly used in outdoor paints and other products that need protection from mildew and algae. It is an effective algaecide. As it is an excellent chelating agent, it can not be used in paints relying on metal carboxalate catalysts to cure. When used in latex paints and the water contains high amount of iron, a sequestering agent that will preferentially bind the iron ions is needed. Its decomposition by ultraviolet light is slow and gradual, providing years of protection even on direct sunlight.

Its antifungal effect most likely lies in inhibition of membrane transport, probably via intracellular inhibition of the proton pump energizing the transport mechanism by an un-ionized pyrithione molecule. Fungi are capable of inactivating pyrithione in low concentrations.

It is known under trade name zinc OMADINE.

It was first synthesized in 1930s.

The chemical name is zinc 2-pyridinethiol-n-oxide, or also bis(1-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridineselonato-O,S) zinc, and the summary formula is C₁₀H₈N₂O₂S₂Zn (two organic molecules forming a complex with their oxygen and sulfur atoms around the zinc atom).

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Zinc pyrithione", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki