Humble mint hailed as new painkiller

Published on Friday 30 January 2009 21:21

A PAIN-killing cream containing mint could save the NHS millions of pounds, research taking place in Scotland suggests.

Tens of thousands of people in Scotland are believed to suffer from neuropathic pain – chronic pain cause by damage to the nerve endings.

But early findings from researchers at Edinburgh University suggest that a simple cream containing a small amount of mint could relieve this pain more effectively than many drugs currently available.

Such a cream could cost as little as 10 a month, compared with several hundred pounds a month for current medications.

The researchers now want to recruit more patients to test the effectiveness of the cream.

If successful, it is hoped that a treatment could be widely available to patients worldwide within the next couple of years.

Lesley Colvin, a consultant in anaesthesia and pain medicine at Edinburgh University, said the team's study followed earlier laboratory research which indicated that mint had significant pain-killing properties.

Dr Colvin said: "We know that peppermint has been around for years and used in various pain-relieving rubs, but we are looking at it in a more scientific way in patients with neuropathic pain."

The researchers hope to recruit around 40 patients to take part in the new study, with a focus on those undergoing cancer treatment, which can cause neuropathic pain.

These will include patients with active cancer, undergoing cancer treatment and another group who have had cancer treatment and had side effects from their treatment, such as pain from scars resulting from mastectomy or other surgery.

The researchers are also looking at patients who have not had cancer, but do suffer from neuropathic pain.

Dr Colvin said the patients used the cream in the area where they are feeling pain, and also on the spinal cord.

"That's because we think it is acting not just where the pain is, but probably acting in the spinal cord as well, where the pain pathways are.

"One of the big advantages of this (cream] is they don't get side effects, because most of the medications we use for this type of pain have side effects, particularly in frail patients.

"Sometimes you can't treat the pain properly because of the side effects."

Professor Marie Fallon, a palliative care expert from Edinburgh University, said while the study was still in its early stages, patients were already reporting positive results.

"No drug is going to work for every patient," she said. "But if you can get a drug that works well without side effects in a sub-group, that is very good.

"While it is a tiny number so far in the patients we have done, three out of five have had a very clear response. That's a lot more than any standard drug for neuropathic pain, where you are looking at best at a success rate of one in three."

Medicines from the natural world – but are they effective?

&#149 St John's wort: Various studies have examined the plant's use by patients with depression. It has been found to be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. The evidence for effectiveness in treating severe depression is less clear. Patients should be aware that it can interact with other commonly used drugs.

&#149 Echinacea: Many people use this herbal remedy to treat colds and other infections. Some research has suggested that taking echinacea can more than halve the risk of catching cold and also cut the length of a cold, but other studies have not reported such clear-cut results.

&#149 Garlic: Some research suggests that garlic may reduce blood cholesterol levels and could lower the risk of heart disease. A review of 11 studies found that garlic preparations reduced blood pressure more than placebo pills, but it did not assess whether garlic preparations were as effective as blood pressure medications.

&#149 Saw palmetto: Some people have suggested that the herb extract is useful if a patient has an enlarged but benign prostate gland. However, in 2006 a study found that the extract had no more effect on men with prostate conditions than a dummy version.

&#149 Ginger: It is thought that ginger may relieve nausea and vomiting in some people. It may be used by women in the early stages of pregnancy. However, the clinical evidence proving its effectiveness is mixed.

&#149 Ginkgo biloba: In 2002, a review of 33 clinical trials suggested that taking Ginkgo biloba could improve memory and overall function for people with dementia. But last year Alzheimer's Society research found that the extract had no benefit for people with dementia.

&#149 Hawthorn: An extract of hawthorn berries may be able to treat mild heart failure. Some people suggest that remedies containing hawthorn berry extract could be effective in treating ailments including angina and myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle).

&#149 Horse chestnut: Seed extract from horse chestnut has been studied as a treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. This condition is common in the elderly and can cause leg pain, swelling and hardening of the skin. A review of 17 studies found an improvement in several of the symptoms with horse chestnut seed extract.

&#149 Aloe vera: This plant has been hailed for its anti-inflammatory properties. In 2004 scientists found juice from aloe vera leaves preserved organ function in rats that had lost massive volumes of blood. It is used to sooth inflammation of the skin, including burns. Scientists have also examined its ability to treat internal inflammatory conditions.

&#149 Ginseng: Tablets and teas made from the roots of ginseng are used to increase stamina, decrease tiredness and combat stress. Some people use ginseng daily in an effort to improve their energy levels.