Peptide
Tyrothricin
Tyrothricin is a cyclic peptide antibiotic complex from Bacillus brevis - the first peptide antibiotic used in humans (1939). Contains 60-80% tyrocidine (cyclic decapeptides) and 20-40% gramicidin (linear peptides). Over 60 years of clinical use with no significant resistance reported. RCT (DoriPha, n=321): Tyrothricin lozenges showed 64% improved complete remission vs placebo at 72 hours for acute pharyngitis. Used topically for sore throat, skin infections. SAFETY CONCERN: Systemic toxicity limits to topical/local use only.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 16 studies cited
Research notice. This page is for education and research. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research. Talk to a qualified clinician before considering any peptide.
- Best evidence
- Grade A
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 3210
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systemic Toxicity SAFETY CONCERN: Systemic administration causes significant toxicity - hemolysis and nephrotoxicity. Use restricted to topical and local applications. Similar toxicity profile to component gramicidin. | Worsens (the measure goes up) | Large effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured systemic toxicity
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Skin Health
- Skin Wound Infections: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Wound Infections Used for infected superficial and small-area wounds. Broad spectrum gram-positive and antifungal activity. Available in various topical formulations. Long history of safe and effective use. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 5 studies | |||
Studies that measured skin wound infections
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General
- Antimicrobial Activity: improves
Key findings
- Antimicrobial ResistanceImproves (the measure goes up)
- Acute PharyngitisImproves (the measure goes up)
- Systemic ToxicityWorsens (the measure goes up)
Safety notes in the studies
- SAFETY CONCERN: Systemic administration causes significant toxicity - hemolysis and nephrotoxicity.
- Similar toxicity profile to component gramicidin.
Studies cited
16 studies from PubMed
- Electrospun fibers loaded with antimicrobial peptides for treatment of wound infections.
- Efficacy and safety of a triple active sore throat lozenge in the treatment of patients with acute pharyngitis: Results of a multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trial (DoriPha)
- Tyrothricin--An underrated agent for the treatment of bacterial skin infections and superficial wounds?
- Chitosan-Based Film of Tyrothricin for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity against Common Skin Pathogens Including Staphylococcus aureus.
- Reduction of Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Lesions with Topical Tyrothricin 0.1% in the Treatment of Mild to Severe Acne Papulopustulosa: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
- Decade-long use of the antimicrobial peptide combination tyrothricin does not pose a major risk of acquired resistance with gram-positive bacteria and Candida spp
- Inhibition of malaria parasite blood stages by tyrocidines, membrane-active cyclic peptide antibiotics from Bacillus brevis
- Tyrocidine B and gramicidin S. Structure and antibacterial action
- Antibiotics and endodontics.
- In vitro antibacterial activity of gramicidin and tyrothricin.
- [Antiviral activity of tyrothricin against Sendai virus in suspension tests (author's transl)].
- Biosynthesis of peptide antibiotics.
- Peptide antibiotics.
- ANTIBIOTICS. VI. Neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin and tyrothricin.
- Tyrothricin as an antibiotic.
- Tyrothricin, a review of selected literature on the subject.