title: Topical application of docosanol- or stearic acid-containing creams reduces severity of phenol burn wounds in mice.
abstract: Because of their reported antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, cream formulations containing n-docosanol (docosanol) or stearic acid were tested for effects on chemically-induced burns in mice. In this model, injury was induced by painting the abdomens of mice with a chloroform solution of phenol. This was followed by the topical application of test substances 0.5, 3, and 6 h later. Progression of the wounds was assessed by a single evaluator after 8 h, using a numerical score of gross morphology. Docosanol- and stearic acid-containing creams substantially and reproducibly lessened the severity and progression of skin lesions compared to untreated sites with a 76% and 57% reduction in mean lesion scores, respectively. Untreated wounds appeared red and ulcerated; docosanol cream-treated wounds showed only slight erythema.
authors.affiliation: Avanir Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Marcelletti
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D019800:Phenol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004202:Disinfectants; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D007509:Irritants; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D013229:Stearic Acids; D019800:Phenol; C031183:stearic acid; C529236:docosanol