A cream,
Unguentum lymphaticum, which has been shown to be effective (clinically and experimentally) in
lymphedema, was tested in
dextran and
burn edemas and acute
lymphedema in rats. It was very effective indeed in
lymphedema, completely preventing the 36% increase in the volumes of the legs found with in those treated with its
drug-free base. This protection was much less if the macrophages were selectively poisoned with
silica, and the
edema reached maximum volume much more rapidly. This shows that most of the cream's activity against
lymphedema is via an increase of the normal proteolysis by macrophages, and also confirms that these are of considerable importance in limiting
lymphedema (and other high-
protein edemas). Curiously, the cream slightly increased the
edema of the feet in acute lymphoedema, and also in
dextran and
burn edema, although other workers did not find this with
histamine and egg
albumin. This, and other evidence, suggests that another part of its action is vaso-dilatory - at least to rat-feet. Obviously it has many actions. While they should be investigated, the most important thing is that this cream offers a relatively cheap
therapy (perhaps in combination with others: perhaps alone) for the nearly 300,000,000 people who suffer from
lymphedema.