Woman With Multiple Sclerosis
Matoula Kastrioti, 46, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, enters the sea with a "Seatrac", a solar-powered device that allows people with kinetic disabilities to enter and get out of the sea autonomously, at a beach in Alepochori, west of Athens July 12, 2013. Founded by a team of Greek scientists in 2008 and covered by European and U.S patent laws, the Seatrac device operates on a fixed-track mechanism which allows up to 30 wheelchairs to be moved in and out of the water a day - all powered by solar energy. In a country with one of the world's longest coastlines and thousands of islands, it has come as a welcome relief for many Greeks, boosting demand each year. Currently, 11 devices operate in Greece and there are plans to expand the network. Picture taken July 12, 2013. Reuters/Yorgos Karahalis

Researchers discovered that the ingredients found in creams for eczema and athlete’s foot treatment can reverse multiple sclerosis, or MS. The specific components of the cream, which showed potential promise to MS therapy, are miconazole and clobetasol.

Miconazole is an antifungal drug, whilst clobetasol is a steroid. Both substances were said to have triggered stem cell production and subsequently restored myelin, which is the main body part affected by MS. Lead researcher Paul Tesa and his colleagues were able to come up with these findings after mice models with rodent MS were paralysed following the administration of the key substances.

"Both drugs enhance the generation of human oligodendrocytes from human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in vitro," the researchers said. "Collectively, our results provide a rationale for testing miconazole and clobetasol, or structurally modified derivatives, to enhance remyelination in patients."

For this recent study published in the journal Nature, the researchers investigated over 700 drugs before they were able to identify the two key substances. Additionally, miconazole and clobetasol were found to treat other disorders with myelin sheath affectations including dementia, optic neuritis and cerebral palsy.

The researchers said that further investigation should be conducted to know how the current cream and ointment forms of the drugs can be safely administered to humans. Although patients crippled with the disease may get impatient for a cure, the scientists warned them of the possible effects that the off label usage of the drugs can cause.

"The identification process of possible myelin repair treatments in animal models had commenced," said Sorrel Bickley, manager of MS Society Research Communications. Now, it is time to conduct clinical trials to confirm their abilities to delay or reverse MS. Through this research, the team hopes to develop new treatments for other autoimmune disease, as it affects approximately 100,000 people in UK alone.

To contact the writer, email rinadoctor00@gmai.com.

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