Description
Luliconazole is a member of the imidazole class of antifungal agents, with specific
utility as a dermatological antimycotic drug. It was launched in Japan as a
topical agent for the treatment of athlete’s foot. Luliconazole is an optically active
drug with (R)-configuration at its chiral center. It is structurally related to lanoconazole,
which has been marketed as a racemic mixture since 1994. As with other
azole antifungal drugs, the mechanism of action of luliconazole is the inhibition of
sterol 14-a-demethylase, and subsequently, inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. The in
vivo activity of luliconazole against dermatophytes has been evaluated in the guinea
pig model of tinea pedis. In this study, a 1% topical solution of luliconazole, administered
once daily for seven days, achieved complete mycologic cure. Additionally,
there were no occurrences of relapse for up to 16 weeks after the treatment. No
data is currently available on the clinical efficacy of luliconazole. The chemical synthesis
of luliconazole involves the condensation of 1-(cyanomethyl)imidazole with
carbon disulfide to produce a dithioate intermediate, and subsequent alkylation with
either the mesylate derivative of (S′)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-bromoethanol or the
bis-mesylate derivative of (S′)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diol.
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