Arnica / Urtica urens ointment

Arnica L. genus (Asteraceae) comprises perennial herbs native to the temperate and boreal parts of the northern hemisphere. Arnica montana is the main species. It shows different biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor effects. The Arnica formulations are mainly used for pain management. This systematic review is aimed at summarizing the studies focusing on the use of Arnica products on pain and inflammatory signs due to traumatic injuries related to sport and surgical interventions as well as to arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Both phytotherapeutic and homeopathic formulations are taken into account. This paper only includes manuscripts published in mainstream journals. A literature search from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases has been carried out using a combination of the keywords “Arnica”, “trauma”, “sport”, “injury”, “injuries”, and “pain”. According to the search strategy and inclusion criteria for this study, 42 eligible papers, focusing on both Arnica alone and formulations containing a mixture of plant extracts, have been finally selected. This review critically discusses the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies dealing with Arnica products, reporting both positive and negative outcomes, thus providing perspectives for future research on the plant pharmacological potential.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Objectives: The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to assess the efficacy of single dose homeopathic Arnica montana 200 CH in dental surgeries.Methods: The study included 79 patients undergoing wisdom teeth extractions, implant placements, cystectomies, augmentation procedures, alveoloplasties, lefort-1 osteotomies at Istanbul Medipol University’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups using a computer program. Three globulesof Arnica montana 200 CH were administered in the sublingual area in the patients group 1, and glucose globules were administered in the sublingual area in the patients into group 2. After each patient’s surgical operation, the surgeoncompleted a survey about operation time and scope. In addition,a self-assessment survey was completed by the patients the day after their operationsto evaluate their post-operational swelling and pain.Results: Arnica montana did not appear to significantly prevent post-operative swelling and pain when compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that the use of Arnica montana before a physically traumatic procedure is not more effective than the use of a placebo. However, the results should be evaluated in other studies, including the administration of Arnica montana after a physically traumatic procedure to clearly demonstrate its homeopathic efficiency.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

The pushout bond strength of root fillings at radicular dentin was investigated employing NaOCl, CHX, and homoeopathic mother tincture (Arnica montana) as an irrigant. Sixty human permanent single-rooted extracted teeth were decoronated. The root canals were instrumented using Pro taper universal rotary system (Dentsply Tulsa Dental; Tulsa, Oklahoma) and were prepared up to F3 apical size. The roots were then randomly divided into three groups according to irrigation solution (n = 20) according to the final irrigation regimen: Group I: 3 mL 5.25% NaOCl followed by 3 mL Saline (control); Group II: 3 mL Arnica montana (10%, w/v) followed by 3 mL Saline; Group III: 3 mL CHX followed by 3 mL Saline. The canals were dried using paper points. The canals were coated with AH Plus sealer (Dentsply DeTey, Konstaz, Germany) with the aid of a Lentulo spiral (Dentsply DeTey, Konstaz, Germany) and obturated with #F3 gutta-percha. Each root was then horizontally sliced into three slices, labelled coronal, middle, and apical, each measuring 2 mm thick. Furthermore, at a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min, the test was carried out using the universal testing apparatus. The 5.25% NaOCl significantly decreased the bond strength of AH Plus to dentin. Both CHX and Arnica montana were capable of reversing the compromised pushout of AH Plus to NaOCl-treated dentin. After using NaOCl as an irrigant, the danger of diminished binding capacity of AH Plus to root canal walls arises. Final irrigation with Arnica montana and CHX reduces this risk.

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The effects of Arnica montana 6cH on the individual modulation of acute inflammation kinetics in rats were evaluated. Adult male Wistar rats were inoculated with 1% carrageenan into the footpad and treated with Arnica montana 6cH, dexamethasone (4.0 mg/kg; positive control) or 5% hydroalcoholic solution (negative control), per os, each 15 minutes, between 30 and 180 minutes after the irritant inoculation. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry procedures were done in order to get a panel of inflammatory positive cells for CD3 (T lymphocytes), CD45RA (B lymphocytes), CD18 (beta 2 integrin), CD163 (ED2 protein), CD54 (ICAM-1), and MAC 387 (monocytes and macrophages). The statistical treatment of data included a posteriori classification of animals from each group (N = 20) in two subgroups presenting spontaneous precocious or late oedema. Animals that presented precocious oedema were less responsible to Arnica montana 6cH in relation to hemodynamic changes. Instead, rats that exhibited late oedema presented less intense oedema (P = .01), lower percentage of mast cell degranulation (P = .0001), and increase in lymphatic vessels diameter (P = .05). The data suggest an individually qualitative adjustment of inflammatory vascular events by Arnica montana 6cH.

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Introduction: Bone tissue engineering is a promising field in regenerative medicine. Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) and osteoblasts are key players in bone regeneration. hUMSCs, derived from umbilical cords, possess the potential to differentiate into bone-forming cells. Materials and Methods: This study investigated the cytotoxicity (MTT Assay) of homeopathic preparations of Ledum palustre, Arnica montana, and Ruta graveolens at a concentration of 0.10 µg/mL (48 hours post MTT Assay). The osteogenic differentiation potential of hUMSCs was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of cells transformed into osteoblasts. Following established protocols, hUMSCs were isolated, cultured, and characterized using flow cytometry. Results: Treatment with Ruta graveolens 30C was found to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of hUMSCs. The findings of this study contribute to understanding the effects of homeopathic medicines on stem cell behavior and may pave the way for their clinical application in bone regeneration.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA