Cutaneous cytodestructive potency of lignans. II. A comparative evaluation of macroscopic-toxic influence on rabbit skin subsequent to repeated 10-day applications.

Four lignans: podophyllotoxin (A), 4'-demethyl-podophyllotoxin (B), alpha-peltatin (C), and beta-peltatin (D) are the podophyllin ingredients producing lesional necrosis after application on condylomata acuminata. This study evaluates comparatively their destructive potency on rabbit skin after 10-day repeated applications. Any visible changes or increase on skinfold thickness induced by each of the drugs tested as 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5% ethanolic preparations were followed. These variables demonstrated a close covariation; the analyses revealed a significant difference with respect to influence on measurements according to the following ranking order: A greater than C greater than D = B.