In vivo study of the anti-inflammatory effect of Rhus toxicodendron

A.L. dos Santos; F.F. Perazzo; L.G.V. Cardoso; J.C.T. Carvalho

doi:10.1016/j.homp.2007.03.001

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2007; 96(02): 95-101
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2007.03.001

Original Paper

In vivo study of the anti-inflammatory effect of Rhus toxicodendron

A.L. dos Santos

¹Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, R. Bartolomeu de Gusmão, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

,

F.F. Perazzo

²Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fármacos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, CEP 68902-303, Macapá-AP, Brazil

,

L.G.V. Cardoso

²Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fármacos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, CEP 68902-303, Macapá-AP, Brazil

,

J.C.T. Carvalho

²Laboratório de Pesquisa em Fármacos, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, CEP 68902-303, Macapá-AP, Brazil

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox) is used in various inflammatory conditions. We screened its effect compared to succussed ethanol controls and appropriate active controls.

Method We initially experimented with Rhus tox 6, 12, 30 and 200 cH, using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The 6 cH dilution appeared most effective and was used in subsequent assays. We used pre-treatment and single treatment regimes in Wistar rats, and mice.

Results We found significant reductions compared to control in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, vascular permeability, writhing induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and stress induced gastric lesions.

Conclusions Rhus tox in homeopathic dilution appears to interfere with inflammatory processes involving histamine, prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators.

Keywords

Rhus toxicodendron - homeopathic medicine - inflammatory conditions - inflammatory process in animals - anti-inflammatory effect

Full Text

References

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