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Published on: July 19, 2007
In vivo study of the anti-inflammatory effect of Rhus toxicodendron
A L dos Santos1, F F Perazzo, L G V Cardoso
1Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, R. Bartolomeu de Gusmão, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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.
