ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF TWO DILUTED DRUGS ON SKIN: URTICA URENS AND APIS MELLIFICA

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of two homeopathic diluted drugs : Urtica urens and Apis mellifica, by a non invasive and non subjective cutaneous technique. This method consisted to induce a skin inflammation, provided by an application of an aqueous methyl nicotinate solution (0.5%). The vasodilation induced was quantified in terms of cutaneous blood flow by a Laser Dopler Velocimeter (L.D.V.). This vasodilation could be inhibited, in part, by a skin pretreatment with homeopathic dilutions. The efficacy of these dilutions was expreessed by the value of the inhibition percentage, which was calculated by comparing responses supplied by the L.D.V., for the methyl nicotinate score, to the homeopathic dilutions scoresTen adult volonteers of either sex, aged from 20 - 50 years, took part.Under this protocol, homeopathic dilutions, placebo and positive control were assessed. The different dilutions gave significant results but with a different amplitude in the response : Urtica urens 4 CH exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory effect reaching an inhibition of 37 % ; Urtica 7 CH reduced blood flow by up to 30,8% and Apis 4 CH to 21,2%. No significant difference was noted for Apis 7 CH and between the dilutions.