Control of pain with topical plant medicines
10.1016/S2221-1691(15)30342-7
- Author:
James David ADAMS
1
;
Xiaogang WANG
1
Author Information
1. University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Liniment;
Pain control;
Topical preparation;
Traditional healing
- From:Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
2015;5(4):268-273
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Pain is normally treated with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and opioids. These drugs are dangerous and are responsible for many hospitalizations and deaths. It is much safer to use topical preparations made from plants to treat pain, even severe pain. Topical preparations must contain compounds that penetrate the skin, inhibit pain receptors such as transient receptor potential cation channels and cyclooxygenase-2, to relieve pain. Inhibition of pain in the skin disrupts the pain cycle and avoids exposure of internal organs to large amounts of toxic compounds. Use of topical pain relievers has the potential to save many lives, decrease medical costs and improve therapy.
