Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of Sanhuanggao external applying in the treatment of superficial soft tissue infection

and explore its mechanism. Method: The 120 patients with superficial soft tissue infection were randomly divided into 3 groups:high dose Sanhuanggao group

low dose Sanhuanggao group and ichthammol ointment group.The changes of local swelling

redness

pain

induration

temperature

pustular or ulcer were observed; the numerical value of blood routine

urine routine

and the indexes of liver and kidney function

including alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

urea nitrogen (BUN)

creatinine (Cr) in blood were recorded before and after 1

3

5

7th days. Result: As compared with ichthammol ointment group

Sanhuanggao external applying significantly shortened the course of disease.The course of disease was (6.93±2.74) d in large dose Sanhuanggao group

(7.75±2.93) d in small dose group

and (8.77±2.82) d in ichthammol ointment group (P< 0.05).The external application of Sanhuanggao decreased the comprehensive score of the general situation significantly (P< 0.05)

promote the local mass dissipation

remove swelling

relieve pain

reduce the local temperature

and promote pustules and ulcer healing.The numbers of people whose blood and urine routine indexes as well as the liver and kidney functions (ALT

AST

BUN

Cr) returned to normal in large and small dosage Sanhuanggao groups were higher significantly than those in the control group after treatment on day 1 and day 3(P< 0.05); on day 5 and day 7 after treatment

the test results basically returned to normal

without obvious adverse reactions during treatment. Conclusion: Sanhuanggao has definite clinical efficacy in treatment of superficial soft tissue infection

which can shorten the course of disease with high clinical safety

so it is worthy of clinical promotion.