The effect of coal tar distillate, cadmium sulfide, ichthyol sodium and omadine MDS on the epidermis of the guinea pig.

In 20 guinea pigs 4 test areas were treated with a standard surfactant vehicle twice weekly for 3 weeks. In another 20 animals the same treatment was carried out with the addition of 1% cadmium sulfide on one area, of 10% coal tar distillate on another, 2% ichthyol sodium on the 3rd and 1% Omadine MDS on the 4th. At the end of the test in both animal collectives the number of mitoses in the basal cells of the epidermis (Colcemid method) and the thickness of the epidermis (microscopically) were determined in each of the 4 test areals. All 4 agents lead to a significant inhibition of mitoses compared with the surfactant vehicle. Coal rat also produces an acanthosis. The mitosis inhibition supports the opinion that these agents are suitable for the treatment of dandruff.