Topical application of docosanol- or stearic acid-containing creams reduces severity of phenol burn wounds in mice

Because of their reported antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, cream formulations containing n-docosanol (docosanol) or stearic acid were teste d for effects on chemically-induced burns in mice. In this model, injury wa s induced by painting the abdomens of mice with a chloroform solution of ph enol. 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 evalua tor 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 wound s appeared red and ulcerated; docosanol cream-treated wounds showed only sl ight erythema.