Purpose: To investigate the effect of the topical decoction of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. and
Polygala sibirica
L. on a guinea pig model of sore and ulcer.
Method: A guinea pig model of sore and ulcer was produced by
Staphylococcus aureus
, and 80 guinea
pigs were evenly divided into eight groups, consisting of five males and five females in each group.
Another 10 (5 male and 5 female) guinea pigs were used as the control group. The corresponding liquid
medicine was applied to the ulcer site of the animals in each group, and administered the medicine for 6
h daily with a continuous applicator for 12 d. Lysozyme content in serum was measured to determine its
effects on body tissue morphology.
Results: Compared with the control group, the sore skin score of guinea pigs in each dose group of
decoction of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. and Polygala sibirica L. was significantly decreased. The skin
showed apparent positive pathological changes and serum lysozyme concentration increased
significantly (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Decoctions of the two Polygala tenuifolia species exert a good therapeutic effect on the
guinea pig model of sore and ulcer for topical use.
