Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO, empirically C2H6OS), also known as methyl sulfoxide or sulfinylbismethane, is a chemical compound.
At room temperature it is a clear liquid with a slight odour described as garlic or sulfur. Its molecular weight is 78.13, its density 1.1004 g/ml, it melts at 18.45°C (65.21°F) and boils at 189°C (372°F). It is hygroscopic and readily soluble with a wide range of substances. It is an irritant to the eyes, skin, respiratory tract, and on ingestion. Prolonged exposure can cause dermatitis and possibly damage the liver or kidneys.
It is a by-product of wood pulping and is used as an industrial aprotic (neither accepting nor donating hydrogenions) solvent and has attracted attention from the pharmaceutical industry. It was discovered in 1867 but was not used commercially until after WWII. Its uses include paint removal, as a rinsing agent in the electronics industry, as an organic reaction medium and in polymer synthesis. The deuterated form of DMSO, DMSO-d, is a useful solvent in NMR because of its ability to dissolve a wide range of chemical compounds.
Its use in medicine dates from around 1963 when a University of Oregon Medical School team headed by Stanley Jacob discovered it could penetrate deeply through the skin and other membranes, without damage, and had effects of its own or could 'carry' other compounds deep into a biological system. If you dip a finger into it, you'll notice its taste in your mouth after a few seconds.
It is predominantly used as a topical analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It has been examined for the treatment of an extraordinary number of conditions and ailments. The FDA has approved its use only for the palliative treatment of interstitial cystitis. DMSO has been used as a cryoprotectant in cryobiology and is still an important constituent of cryoprotectant vitrification mixtures used to preserve organs and tissues.
Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) has been used for nearly 40 years in veterinary applications, especially for horses, to relieve pain and inflammation.
Nagasawa H. "The in vitro and in vivo effects of dimethylsulfoxide on the pituitary secretions of growth hormone and prolactin: in mice." Ann.
Watts SF, Watson A, Brimblecombe P "Measurements of the aerosol concentrations of, methanesulphonic acid, dimethylsulfoxide and dimethylsulphone in the marine atmosphere of the British Isles.," Atmospheric Environment 1987, 21:12,.
The use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a medicinal agent was first reported in 1964.Since that time two publications encompassing the use of dimethylsulfoxide in patients with acute bursitis and chronic arthritis have appeared.
In this study dimethylsulfoxide was applied for the therapy of phantom pain, tic douloureux, and posttraumatic or postoperative intractable pain.
We suggest that dimethylsulfoxide may induce differentiation of malignant cells present in the marrow or alternatively in the body when it is infused back with the transplanted marrow.
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