PODOPHYLLUM resin is the resinous extract of the plant Podophyllum peltatum. The studies of Kaplan1 indicated that it has therapeutic action on condyloma acuminatum. King and Sullivan2 treated 80 patients with condylomata acuminata by utilizing podophyllum suspended in liquid petrolatum or dissolved in alcohol. They proved the efficacy of the latter method of treatment and described the histopathologic observations of the action of the drug on the condylomata and on the surrounding skin.
Their interesting and careful observations revealed that in 24 hours the application of podophyllum produced a severe inflammation, which remained visible for three days. The upper layer of prickle cells became swollen and large, and many of the intercellular bridges disappeared. The enlarged cells contained many keratohyaline granules. Often the cells showed a fine reticulated structure. The cytoplasm was pale-staining and basophilic. Many of the cells appeared vacuolated and contained a darkly stained, somewhat broken