You might have heard of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an organosulfur compound, as a treatment for joint ache or irritation. DMSO is produced each naturally and synthetically. It is present in hint quantities in sure meals and extensively used as a solvent in scientific analysis and industrial processes as a consequence of its capacity to dissolve natural compounds.
In drugs, DMSO is used as a topical ache reliever and anti inflammatory agent. It’s authorized by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration for the remedy of interstitial cystitis, often known as bladder ache syndrome, a persistent situation that causes bladder ache, strain and discomfort.1
DMSO can be used as a cryoprotectant to stop cell harm throughout freezing.2 This compound reveals promise for benefitting many well being circumstances, but it surely has a posh relationship together with your cells. Latest analysis on yeast cells, as an illustration, reveals that DMSO’s results rely closely on focus and publicity time, influencing whether or not the compound is therapeutic or dangerous.3
DMSO: A Mobile Stressor That Builds Resilience
At low and average ranges, DMSO prompts mobile stress responses that increase your resilience. Nevertheless, at increased concentrations or with extended publicity, it impairs cell progress and should even show poisonous. Too little DMSO did not set off the response, whereas an excessive amount of overwhelmed the cells’ defenses.
The important thing lies in how DMSO interacts with cell membranes and vitality manufacturing. Brief-term publicity to average DMSO ranges did not considerably harm yeast cell membranes or cut back their metabolic exercise.4 Nevertheless it did set off stress response genes, priming cells to higher deal with future threats, explaining a few of DMSO’s protecting results.
The examine discovered that DMSO activated yeast cells’ environmental stress response (ESR) program at sure concentrations. This mobile alarm system, triggered by varied gentle stresses, prepares cells to higher deal with future, probably extra extreme challenges.
It is a bit like how train stresses your physique within the quick time period however finally makes you stronger. This stress response activation helps clarify why DMSO is useful in cryopreservation or as a protecting agent in opposition to radiation harm.
At increased doses although, DMSO started to intrude with cell division and survival. Your cells’ most well-liked vitality supply performs a surprisingly necessary function in how properly they tolerate DMSO. The examine discovered that yeast cells utilizing primarily cardio respiration, which depends closely on oxygen, had been most delicate to DMSO’s poisonous results. In distinction, cells utilizing fermentation or a mixture of fermentation and respiration fared higher.
This distinction doubtless stems from how DMSO interacts with mitochondria, your cell’s energy vegetation. Cells with extremely energetic mitochondria are extra susceptible to elements that disrupt their delicate stability, together with DMSO at increased doses. The compound could destabilize mitochondrial membranes, resulting in elevated manufacturing of dangerous reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The researchers discovered that reducing oxygen ranges within the yeast’s surroundings elevated their DMSO tolerance throughout the board. This means that DMSO’s results are intently tied to oxygen-dependent processes in your cells.
An Ally within the Combat In opposition to Most cancers
Research reveal DMSO has one other surprising profit: preventing most cancers. Researchers investigated DMSO’s influence on each leukemia cells (representing blood cancers) and epithelial most cancers cells (representing strong tumors).5 They discovered that DMSO considerably inhibited cell progress in all examined most cancers cell strains, together with MV4-11 and TF-1a leukemia cells, in addition to Hep-G2 liver most cancers cells and MCF7 breast most cancers cells.
This inhibition was each dose and time-dependent, with noticeable results beginning at concentrations as little as 2% DMSO. At 10% DMSO, progress inhibition reached as much as 69% in some cell strains after 72 hours of publicity. This means DMSO might be used as a focused remedy to decelerate or cease most cancers progress.
The examine did not simply cease at observing progress inhibition — it explored how DMSO impacts most cancers cells. Utilizing a trypan blue assay, which distinguishes between stay and lifeless cells, the researchers discovered that 5% DMSO elevated cell dying charges from about 2% to three% to fifteen% to 19% in leukemia cells after 48 hours. This means that DMSO is not simply slowing most cancers cell division; it is actively killing these dangerous cells.6
Below the microscope, DMSO-treated most cancers cells confirmed important modifications in morphology. The cells shrank, their density decreased and, most significantly, their nuclei started to fragment. These nuclear fragments, seen as a number of dots inside nondividing cells, are a trademark of apoptosis, or programmed cell dying.
The upper the DMSO focus, the extra pronounced these results grew to become. Even the adherent epithelial most cancers cells, which usually kind a easy monolayer in tradition, started to detach and cluster when uncovered to DMSO. These observations counsel that DMSO might be triggering the most cancers cells’ built-in self-destruct mechanisms.
DMSO Prompts Most cancers Cells’ Self-Destruct Sequence
Digging deeper into the molecular mechanisms, the researchers uncovered how DMSO units off a cascade of occasions resulting in most cancers cell dying. They discovered that DMSO considerably decreased ranges of CDK2 and cyclin A — essential proteins that regulate cell division. The CDK2-cyclin A posh, which performs a key function in driving cells from one part of the cell cycle to the subsequent, was notably affected.7
By disrupting these regulators, DMSO successfully places the brakes on most cancers cell proliferation. However maybe most tellingly, DMSO triggered DNA fragmentation within the handled most cancers cells. That is thought-about a definitive signal of apoptosis, because it represents the cell systematically destroying its personal genetic materials. The researchers confirmed this by detecting elevated ranges of activated caspase 3, an enzyme central to the execution of apoptosis.
Apparently, they did not see activation of caspase 9, suggesting that DMSO triggers apoptosis by way of the extrinsic pathway moderately than the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. This particular mechanism might be essential in growing focused most cancers therapies that do not hurt wholesome cells.
The examine means that even at comparatively low concentrations, DMSO has profound results on most cancers cell well being and survival. Furthermore, as a result of DMSO is already extensively used and well-tolerated in lots of medical contexts, it might probably be fast-tracked for most cancers remedy research.
DMSO Improves Visible Operate in Alzheimer’s Mannequin
Early animal research raised some issues about DMSO inflicting eye issues, notably affecting the lens. These findings weren’t discovered to translate to people,8 nonetheless, and up to date analysis affords a extra reassuring perspective for these contemplating DMSO as a part of their well being routine.
Analysis utilizing a mouse mannequin of Alzheimer’s revealed that DMSO, even at very low concentrations, considerably improves visible operate.9 The examine targeted on 5xFAD mice, that are genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s-like signs. These mice usually expertise a decline in distinction sensitivity, an necessary facet of imaginative and prescient that is additionally affected in human Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Remarkably, when handled with simply .01% DMSO of their consuming water, the mice confirmed a marked enchancment of their distinction sensitivity. This enchancment was corresponding to the consequences seen with R-carvedilol, a drug particularly being investigated for Alzheimer’s remedy.
The truth that such a low dose of DMSO might produce these advantages is especially intriguing, because it suggests DMSO’s therapeutic results could have been underestimated in earlier analysis the place it was used merely as a car for different medication.
Early Intervention Potential with DMSO
The examine’s findings level to DMSO’s antioxidant properties as a mechanism for its helpful results. DMSO is well-known as a robust scavenger of hydroxyl free radicals, which contribute to oxidative stress, an element within the improvement and development of Alzheimer’s illness. The researchers noticed that DMSO remedy corrected abnormalities within the retina which are related to oxidative stress.
Particularly, they discovered that DMSO normalized the thickness of a selected layer within the retina (the ELM-RPE layer) that turns into contracted within the presence of oxidative stress. This correction means that DMSO is actively combating oxidative harm within the retinal tissue. Provided that your retina is basically an extension of your mind, these findings indicate that DMSO might be offering comparable protecting results all through the central nervous system.
That is notably thrilling as a result of oxidative stress is believed to be one of many earliest occasions within the improvement of Alzheimer’s, occurring even earlier than the looks of attribute amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
Given these findings, there’s potential for DMSO as an early intervention in Alzheimer’s illness. The examine targeted on comparatively younger mice (4 months previous) that had been simply starting to point out indicators of visible impairment.10 The truth that DMSO was in a position to enhance operate at this early stage suggests it might be notably beneficial as a preventative measure or early remedy.
Early intervention is essential in Alzheimer’s illness, as by the point cognitive signs turn out to be obvious, important mind harm has typically already occurred. If DMSO may also help defend in opposition to oxidative stress and preserve neuronal well being from the earliest phases of the illness course of, it might gradual and even stop the development to full-blown Alzheimer’s.
Furthermore, the protection profile of DMSO at low doses is well-established, making it a horny possibility for long-term use in at-risk people.
Past the Mind: DMSO’s Wider Implications
Whereas this examine targeted on visible operate and retinal well being, its implications attain far past Alzheimer’s illness. The protecting results of DMSO noticed within the retina prolong to different tissues and organs all through your physique. Oxidative stress is implicated in a variety of age-related circumstances, from heart problems to arthritis.
For example, DMSO is intently associated to a different compound that might profit your joint well being: methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). DMSO is a precursor to MSM, and each compounds share comparable sulfur-based buildings. Like DMSO, MSM has been proven to have important anti-inflammatory results, particularly for joint ache. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Japan explored the consequences of MSM on gentle knee joint ache in wholesome people.11
Individuals who took 2 grams of MSM every day for 12 weeks skilled important enhancements of their knee well being in comparison with these taking a placebo. The examine used a complete measure of knee well being (the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure) and located that MSM not solely improved knee-specific signs but additionally enhanced total well being circumstances.
This analysis suggests the sulfur-containing compounds in each DMSO and MSM could provide a spread of well being advantages, from neuroprotection to joint ache reduction.
Provided that DMSO will be transformed to MSM in your physique, utilizing DMSO may present a few of the joint well being advantages related to MSM, along with its neuroprotective results and anti inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. These actions make DMSO an intriguing compound for total well being upkeep as you age.
DMSO’s capacity to inhibit and kill a spread of micro organism — even at low concentrations — has additionally been identified for many years. Researchers examined DMSO in opposition to a number of bacterial strains, together with Staphylococcus aureus, β-hemolytic streptococci, Corynebacterium acnes, Escherichia coli and Proteus species.12
They discovered {that a} 20% focus of DMSO was sufficient to inhibit the expansion of all these micro organism. So, even at comparatively low concentrations, DMSO can successfully cease bacterial copy.
DMSO Dangers, Dosing Options and Different Issues
Whereas DMSO reveals promising advantages, it is necessary to method its use with warning and consciousness. As with all complement or remedy, DMSO has negative effects and contraindications that you just want to concentrate on. The most typical facet impact is a garlic-like style or breath odor, which happens as a result of DMSO breaks down into dimethyl sulfide in your physique. Some folks might also expertise pores and skin irritation when DMSO is utilized topically.
DMSO additionally will increase the absorption of different substances by way of your pores and skin, amplifying the consequences of medicines. This implies you have to watch out about what comes into contact together with your pores and skin when utilizing DMSO topically. It is also necessary to notice that DMSO interacts with sure medicines, together with blood thinners and steroids.
Moreover, excessive concentrations could trigger liver harm if used improperly. Pregnant girls and people with liver illness ought to use warning when contemplating DMSO. As all the time, I like to recommend consulting with a holistic well being care practitioner to find out if DMSO is best for you.
Correct product choice and dosing are key to getting one of the best outcomes. A Midwestern Physician recommends searching for DMSO that has at the very least 99.9% purity and, if liquid, is saved in glass. For topical dosing, begin with 70% and dilute it 50/50 with water. Progressively work your method as much as the full-strength product so long as no pores and skin irritation happens. It’s also possible to progress to a 100% DMSO product you probably have thick scars or are utilizing it for particular well being circumstances.
For oral dosage, a typical beginning dose is 0.5 to 1 teaspoon (of 70% or 100%). You might steadily improve the dose so long as you’re tolerating it properly. The utmost secure dosage is up for debate, however typically 3 teaspoons is taken into account the higher restrict. Needless to say since DMSO has an disagreeable style, you’ll doubtless wish to combine it with milk or juice when consuming it orally. You should definitely combine it properly so the DMSO doesn’t settle on the backside.
Bear in mind, whereas DMSO reveals promise, it isn’t a miracle treatment. It ought to be thought-about as a part of a holistic method to well being, together with a nutrient-dense weight loss plan, common train, stress administration and different way of life elements that help your total well-being. Used responsibly and underneath correct steerage, DMSO might be a beneficial device in your well being arsenal, notably for its antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer and anti inflammatory properties.
