title: Comparison of reservoir effect of topical corticosteroids in an experimental animal model by histamine-induced wheal suppression test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical corticosteroids used in various dermatological diseases are available in different potencies and different formulations. The reservoir effect of different potency corticosteroids in the stratum corneum will help the clinicians to choose an appropriate topical steroid to maximize their efficacy and safety as therapeutic agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to compare the duration of reservoir of different potency topical corticosteroids experimentally in rabbits using histamine-induced wheal suppression test.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in albino rabbits (as their skin is similar to humans) using four different concentrations of topical steroids, namely mometasone furoate ointment (0.1%), fluticasone propionate ointment (0.005%), betamethasone valerate cream (0.1%), and hydrocortisone butyrate cream (0.1%). These were applied on the back of rabbit on one side and the vehicle was applied on the other. One hour later, histamine-induced wheal suppression test was performed on both sides and wheal area was measured at 10 min for 7 days. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA followed by post hoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum wheal suppression was seen on day 1 (P<0.001) in all four groups, both at test and at control sites. Interday comparison of mean wheal size by topical steroids showed that the reservoir of mometasone furoate ointment (0.1%) persisted till day 4 in the stratum corneum of the skin. In case of fluticasone propionate ointment (0.005%) and betamethasone valerate cream (0.1%), the reservoir persisted till day 2 and for hydrocortisone butyrate cream (0.1%), the reservoir was present only on day 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that the duration of reservoir depends on the potency of topical steroids. Higher the potency more is the duration of reservoir in stratum corneum and vice versa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Afroz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abidi
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Satyendra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006632:Histamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D006632:Histamine; D001623:Betamethasone; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone