title: Anti-inflammatory action of pale sulfonated shale oil (ICHTHYOL pale) in UVB erythema test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a clinical research institute the anti-inflammatory effect of pale sulfonated shale oil versus hydrocortisone was investigated in a placebo-controlled clinical trial using a double-blind design and random assignment of the treatments to the test fields.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 male and female volunteers with healthy skin in the test areas participated in this trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects received different concentrations of pale sulfonated shale oil (2% and 4%), the active ingredient-free vehicle and a reference product containing 0.5% hydrocortisone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 300 microl of test preparation were applied to the treatment fields. The medication was administered for 23 h. An untreated, irradiated and an untreated, non-irradiated control field were included as well. The test fields were compared intraindividually. Four different UV-doses (1; 1.25; 1.6 and 2 MED) were tested in each volunteer. The test fields were occluded for 6 h. After 7 h, measurement with a colorimeter was carried out. After measurement, the treatment was repeated. The test fields were occluded for a further 16 h and test preparations carefully wiped off. One hour later, post-irradiation color measurements were made by colorimetric detection. Variance analysis was used for statistical evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4% pale sulfonated shale oil and 0.5% hydrocortisone had a significantly greater efficacy than the vehicle (p = 0.0001). There were no differences between the efficacy of 4% pale sulfonated shale oil and 0.5% hydrocortisone (p = 0.5169).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of 4% pale sulfonated shale oil and help explain the clinical effects of the drug in the therapy of atopic eczema.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warnecke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wendt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C089399:ichthammol; D006854:Hydrocortisone