[Pharmacologic-toxicologic study of an ibuprofen-containing creme]

The antiphlogistic action, the percutaneous penetrability as well as the systemic and local tolerance of cremes with a different ibuprofen content after epicutaneous administration were examined in the rat, the guinea-pig and the rabbit. The antiphlogistic action was dose-dependently assessed on the carrageenin-induced edema of the rat paw and on UV-erythema in the guinea pig. The cotton-pellet test carried out on the rat evidenced only modest efficacy. The percutaneous penetration of ibuprofen after single epicutaneous application was obtained through the assessment of the active principle in the tissues and in the serum. The tests carried out for ascertaining the systemic and cutaneous tolerance did not evidence even after 3 to 4 weeks treatment with the ibuprofen creme any signs of intolerance due to the substance. In the investigation of the mucosal tolerance, the instillation of ibuprofen creme into the conjunctival sac of the rabbit led to strong yet reversible intolerance reactions in the conjunctiva and in the eyelid. Bearing on the results obtained on the whole, ibuprofen creme at 5% can be envisaged for clinical examination for the treatment of circumscribed rheumatic and traumatic diseases.