Effect of acne-eliminating cream on acne in a rabbit ear acne model

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of acne-eliminating cream on acne in a rabbit ear acne model. Methods: Thirty New Zealand rabbits of both genders were divided into normal control group, acne model group, high and low dose of acne-eliminating cream group, tretinoin cream group. Except 3 rabbits in normal control group, ears of the rest rabbits were treated topically with coal tar for 2 weeks to establish acne model. Afterwards vehicle, acne cream (high and low dose), and 0.1% tretinoin cream were applied to respective group of rabbit ears daily for 3 weeks. Ear samples were taken 24 hours after the last topical treatment, followed by fixation in 10% formaldehyde and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Histopathological changes were assessed and photographed under a microscope. Results: In comparison to untreated acne ears, high dose of acne-eliminating cream markedly reduced the intensity of ear reactions to coal tar (t=2.62, P0.05 vs. untreated acne ears). High dose of acne-eliminating cream and tretinoin cream exerted comparable efficacy in reduction of intensity of ear reactions to coal tar and improvements in histopathology (t=0.06, P>0.05 for reduction of intensity;χ2=0.34, P>0.05 for histopathology). Conclusion: High dose of acne-eliminating cream can significantly improve the acne in coal tar-induced rabbit ear acne model.

Keywords

• acne
• treatment
• acne-eliminating cream