Anthralin. Different concentration effects on epidermal cell DNA synthesis rates in mice and clinical responses in human psoriasis.

There had been recent interest in psoriasis treatment regimens with low anthralin concentrations of 0.01% and 0.05%. These regimens used salicylic acid, coal emollient baths, and ultraviolet energy. We were interested in evaluating the effects of different concentrations of anthralin without adjunctive therapy. We studied the effects of anthralin on epidermal cell DNA synthesis in hairless mice and found that, in concentrations between 0.1% and 0.4%, anthralin produced significant suppression. However, 0.05%, 0.025%,and 0.01% anthralin failed to inhibit DNA synthesis. Clinical studies of 0.05% and 0.1% anthralin in a water-in-soil emulsion (Eucerin) were performed on 14 patients with psoriasis. Psoriasis severity was scored before and during the period of anthralin use and showed a significant improvement in 0.1% anthralin-treated sites. No significant differences were noted between 0.05% anthralin-treated areas and those areas treated with the vehicle alone.