Rationale for the use of dexpanthenol drugs as part of the external therapy of dermatoses in children and adults

Abstract

Impaired skin barrier plays a major role in the development of many skin diseases and conditions such as dry skin, sensitive skin, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, etc. The topical therapy aims at not only suppressing the inflammatory response in the skin, but also at regenerating the destroyed protective epidermal lipid barrier in atopic dermatitis patients. Dexpanthenol was produced by synthesis in the middle of the last century and is a derivative of pantothenic acid. Topical dexpanthenol is well absorbed through the skin, where it is converted into pantothenic acid, a component of coenzyme A, and thus participates in the regulation of the synthesis of fatty acids and sphingolipids, components of the stratum corneum. Therefore, pantothenic acid is essential for the normal functioning of the epithelium. Topical dexpanthenol improves skin hydration due to its hygroscopic properties and ability to retain moisture. The hydrating effect is interrelated with its capacity to regenerate the epidermal barrier of the skin. Dexpanthenol also enhances the differentiation of corneocytes and lipid synthesis, stimulating the regeneration of the epidermis. Numerous studies show that the efficacy of dexpanthenol is comparable to the efficacy of glucocorticosteroids by a weak degree of activity. Dexpanthenol is the active ingredient of Pantoderm, which is available as cream and ointment. Pantoderm ointment and cream contain 5% dexpanthenol. The article presents its own clinical reports of the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis and administration of the combination therapy. It may be concluded that the use of topical glucocorticosteroids combined with dexpanthenol can increase the effectiveness of therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis.