Dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO, is a wood-based solvent that has both industrial and medical uses. Medical researchers use it to dissolve substances that do not break down in water. It also serves as a transmitter to carry other drugs through your skin into your bloodstream. Although it has anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful in treating some medical conditions, DMSO is not FDA-approved for the treatment of any eye conditions because clinical testing has revealed it is potentially damaging to the eyes.
History and Origin
Industrialists discovered DMSO as a byproduct of paper production in 19th century and they used it as a solvent for nearly 100 years before Stanley Jacob, M.D., then head of Oregon Health Sciences University organ transplant program, discovered its potential for medical use in the 1960s. Jacob thought DMSO might be useful for preserving organs, and serendipitously discovered that it penetrates skin quickly and without damage. He began a series of clinical trials to determine how this property might be applicable to medical treatment, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration intervened to stop the clinical work in 1965 because of eye damage in animal experimentation. The FDA allowed the experiments to resume in 1966 with restrictions to ensure ocular protection.
Approved Use
As of 2011, the FDA had approved DMSO for human use only in the treatment of interstitial cystitis, a type of bladder inflammation. Application of the drug is via catheter directly to the bladder, not through the skin. DMSO may help to reduce inflammation and muscle contractions associated with the disease, according to experts at Mayo Clinic. The FDA also has approved DMSO for use as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of horses and dogs. DMSO does not have approval for human use for this application.
Experimental Applications
DMSO appears to have the ability to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain, according to American Cancer Society experts. Researchers continue to test DSMO for use in treating other diseases, such as arthritis, scleroderma, bursitis and tendinitis. DMSO also has demonstrated the ability to help some chemotherapy drugs penetrate cells more effectively in animals, but more study is necessary to determine if the same results apply to humans, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, preliminary research by a team led by J.S. Aguilar and published in the May 24, 2002 edition of "BioMed Central Infectious Diseases" indicates that DMSO may help to block the reproduction of some viral cells.
Warnings
DMSO's side effects include headache, nausea, itching and skin rash, and it may be harmful to your eyes. In high concentrations, it may be fatal to humans. DMSO may heighten the effects of certain drugs, including blood thinners, heart medications, sedatives and steroids, to dangerous levels. Its interaction with other drugs remains untested and potentially dangerous. The FDA has received reports that people with arthritis have attempted to use industrial grade DMSO to self-treat their condition. Industrial grade DMSO, however, does not meet the standards required for human consumption. Because DMSO acts as a carrier, it may transmit impurities in the industrial grade substance into your bloodstream, which may have dangerous consequences.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
- American Cancer Society: DMSO
- "BioMed Central Infectious Diseases"; Dimethyl Sulfoxide Blocks Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Productive Infection in Vitro Acting at Different Stages with Positive Cooperativity; J.S. Aguilar, D. Roy, P. Ghazal and E.K. Wagner; May 24, 2002
- Arthritis Today: Supplement Guide: DMSO
- DMSO.org: DMSO: Many Uses, Much Controversy; Maya Muir
- MayoClinic.com: Interstitial Cystitis
