To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and the safety profiles of Xugu Oil Moist Compress (XOMC) via animal experiments.

Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into control group, Voltaren group and XOMC high-, medium- and low-dose groups (n=10 each) . The animals received skin application of corresponding agents before injection of egg white. The thickness of the swollen rat limbs was measured at baseline and at 0. 5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the injection, such that the effect of XOMC on egg white induced toe swelling in rats and its action against acute inflammation were evaluated. A total of 100 NIH mice were randomly divided into the xylene-induced inflammation group and glacial acetic acid writhing group. Each of these two groups was further divided into the control group, Voltaren group and XOMC high-, medium- and low-dose groups (n=10 each) to be applied with corresponding agents once daily for 3 consecutive days. In the xylene-induced inflammation group, the mice were applied with xylene to induce inflammation at 1 h after the last skin administration, and sacrificed 30 min later, such that the effect of XOMC on xylene-induced auricle swelling and its anti-inflammatory action were evaluated. In acetic acid writhing group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with acetic acid (0.2 ml each) at 1 h after the last skin administration, such that the writhing of the mice within 15 min following the injection, and the analgesic effect of XOMC on glacial acetic acid induced writhing were determined. Thirty-two back-shaved albino guinea pigs were randomized into the single-dose group and the multiple-dose group. Each of these two groups was divided into the skin-intact group and skin-damaged group (n=8 each) . The mice in the single-dose group were washed off the topical XOMC at 24 h after application, and observed for the skin condition at 1, 24, and 72 h. The mice in the multiple-dose group received skin administration of XOMC 3 times daily for 7 days, and were subject to a 7-day observation of the skin condition after discontinuation of XOMC, such that the effect of XOMC on the intact and damaged skin of guinea pigs, and its safety for external use were evaluated.

Compared with the control group, the toe swelling of the rats in the Voltaren group, XOMC high-, medium- and low-dose groups was milder at 0.5 and 1 h after administration (all P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the severity of auricle swelling in mice of Voltaren group, XOMC high- and medium-dose groups was milder (all P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the number of writhing in mice of the Voltaren group, XOMC high-, medium- and low-dose groups was fewer (all P<0.05) . In the single-dose experiment, all the guinea pigs in the skin-intact group and skin-damaged group survived 1, 24, and 72 h after application, and were normal in dieting, behavioral activities, eyes and mucosa, mental state, feces and secretions; inspection of XOMC-applied site did not reveal significant erythema and edema of the skin. In the multiple-dose experiment, all guinea pigs in the skin-intact group and skin-damaged group survived 7 days of XOMC treatment and 7-day observation after discontinuation, and were normal in dieting, behavioral activities, eye and mucosa, breathing, mental state, feces and secretions; inspection of XOMC-applied site did not reveal significant pigmentation, petechia, roughening or thinning of the skin; all damaged sites of the skin had been covered with incrustation.

XOMC exhibits obvious actions in anti-inflammation and analgesia, and does not elicit topical or systemic skin allergies in external use.

Xugu Oil Moist Compress; Anti-inflammatory agent (TCD); Analgesia; Safety evaluation