Dithranol (anthralin) versus triacetoxyanthracene. Investigations in vitro

In two in vitro models for evaluating antipsoriatic activity, dithranol (anthralin) and triacetoxyanthracene were compared. Both compounds exhibited an about equal effect on oxygen consumption of surviving human skin. Dithranol, however, exerted a stronger inhibiting effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (-G-6-PDH) activity of human skin homogenates.