Antiinflammatory Activity of Vitamin E

Abstract

By systemic administration of vitamin E, studies were made to see whether dextran edema in rabbits and histamine and acetylcholine reactions in human can be depressed. Also, whether its topical administration can attain the suppression of croton oil dermatitis in rabbits and human plaster dermatitis was examined. It was found that vitamin E had antiinflammatory action, especially an action to suppress the enlargement and severity of the inflammation. The effect of such action of vitamin E was thought to be due to inhibition action of vitamin E on liberation and production of chemical mediators, as a result of stabilization action of vitamin E on the membranes although some reservations have been made on the supporting factor that vitamin E may contribute to antispreading factor and suppressive action on acceleration of capillary permeability.