title: Study of reservoir effect of clobetasol propionate cream in an experimental animal model using histamine-induced wheal suppression test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical corticosteroids used in various dermatological diseases several times a day led to an increase risk of side effects. By demonstrating a significant reservoir of corticosteroids in the stratum corneum, one can maximize their efficacy and safety as therapeutic agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was designed to demonstrate a reservoir of topically applied corticosteroid clobetasol propionate cream experimentally in rabbits using histamine-induced wheal suppression test.
  
  
  METHODS
  The work was carried out on albino rabbits, as rabbit skin is akin to human skin, using a topical steroid. The topical steroid clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream was applied on the back of rabbit, and after 1-h occlusion histamine-induced wheal suppression test was performed and wheal area measured at 10 min till day 7. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by "Post Hoc" test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum wheal suppression was seen on day 1 (P < 0.001). Interday comparison of mean wheal size showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) on day 2, 3, and 4 as compared to day 1. Day 5-7 show highly significant difference (P < 0.001) as compared to day 1, thereby suggesting that the reservoir effect of topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream persisted till day 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work demonstrated that histamine-induced wheal by the topical steroid clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream was suppressed till day 4, indicating that the reservoir of topical corticosteroid persisted till day 4.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, India.
authors: Afroz
authors: A
authors: Abidi
authors: Farida
authors: F
authors: Ahmad
authors: Satyendra K
authors: SK
authors: Singh
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Kumar