Purpose

• Assess efficacy of Proteque Skin Protection System to modulate sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) induced contact dermatitis.
• Proteque Skin Protection System is a non-corticosteroid lotion consisting of dimethicone, triclosan (Irgasan DP300), tocopheryl acetate, Aloe Vera Gel, and Lonicera Japonica in a proprietary base formulation.

Methods

• White weanling Yorkshire pigs (n="4" replicates per treatment).
• SLS (1% and 3%) applied to 4.0 cm² Hill Top Chambers provided a suitable degree of irritation assessed by a Draize erythema score (scale 0-4) at 24 and 48 hours.
• Effects of pre-treatment (15 minutes) and post-treatment with Proteque lotion was investigated to determine its effects on SLS-induced irritation.
• Effects of cleansing skin before Proteque lotion application was assessed.
• Role of triclosan was investigated using Proteque lotion with/without this additive.
• Effects of application of Proteque on reducing UVB-induced photo-irritation was also assessed in a separate study.

Results

• SLS reproducibly induced a Draize level 2-3 erythema.
• Application of Proteque lotion significantly blocked erythema, especially when applied after SLS dosing.
• These results were consistent whether 1 or 3% SLS was applied.
• Use of cleanser before Proteque lotion had no effect.
• Proteque lotion without triclosan was equally effective at reducing SLS-induced irritation.
• UVB alone produced a Draize level 3 erythema, which pre-treatment with Proteque lotion reduced to a level 1.
• Proteque lotion reduced UVB-induced sunburn cell formation from 50 to 3, and reduced histological index of skin damage significantly.

Discussion

• Application of Proteque lotion significantly reduced SLS-induced irritation when applied after SLS treatment. Triclosan was not the active ingredient modulating this effect.
• Similarly, treatment with Proteque lotion prior to UVB exposure markedly reduced the severity of sunburn achieved.
• These data confirm the efficacy of Proteque lotion to reduce SLS- and UVB-induced skin irritation.