The effect of "Unguentum lymphaticum" on acute experimental lymphedema and other high-protein edemas.

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.