Influence of topical retapamulin (1%) ointment, Sofinox- RD cream, Sofinox cream (2%), Zinc fusidate cream (2%) and zinc fusidate ointment (2%) on nasal mucosal surface safety in New Zealand albino rabbits

Objective: To investigate the comparative safety of Retapamulin 1% ointment, Sodium fusidate 0.25%, Sofinox 2% cream, Zinc fusidate 2% cream and Zinc fusidate 2% ointment on nasal mucosal surface in rabbits. Methods: In the experiment a total of 30 adult New Zealand albino rabbits of either sex were used. The rabbits were divided into five groups of six rabbits each. A thin layer of the drug was applied in the right nostril and left nostril was kept as control (no treatment) to their corresponding treatment group. Nasal safety of these drugs was assessed with the help of a symptom scoring system and photographic observations. Results: There was significant decrease of nasal rubbing (Rhinocnesmus) behaviors in experimental animals of Sofinox RD cream (p<0.001), Sofinox 2% cream (p<0.001), Zinc fusidate cream (p<0.001) and Zinc fusidate ointment (p<0.001) treated groups when compared with Retapamulin 1% ointment treated group. More redness was observed in nasal mucosal surface of both nostrils (Right nostril- Retapamulin 1% ointment, Left nostril- Control) of Retapamulin group animals in comparison with Sofinox RD cream, Sofinox 2% cream, Zinc fusidate 2% cream and Zinc fusidate 2% ointment group animals. Conclusion: In the present study, the comparative safety of test drugs on nasal mucosal surface of rabbits were found as- Zinc fusidate ointment > Zinc fusidate cream > Sofinox RD cream ~ Sofinox 2% cream > Retapamulin 1% ointment. Further, clinical evaluation has to be performed to precisely define the safety of Zinc fusidate ointment, Zinc fusidate cream, Sofinox RD cream and Sofinox 2% cream on nasal mucosal surface of human subjects.