Dual effects of a homeopathic mineral complex on carrageenan-induced oedema in rats

Carrageenan oedema, a classical experimental model commonly used to test activity of anti-inflammatory drugs, was used to evaluate the therapeutic activity of a low-potency mineral complex (MC). The MC was administered in the right plantar surface of albino rats 60 min before, simultaneously and 30 min after injection of carrageenan, an irritant which causes a local, transitory increase of fluid volume. The administration of the MC 60 min before the injection of carrageenan primed the animal to enhanced inflammatory response to the irritant. The administration of MC contemporarily to carrageenan did not modify the kinetic and the extent of the oedema, while the administration of the MC 30 min after the induction of the oedema significantly reduced the early phase of the inflammatory reaction. This indicated that the therapeutic action of this MC is not due to conventional anti-inflammatory effect but to activation of endogenous regulatory mechanisms, a phenomenon which may be regarded as a simple application of the 'similia rule'.