"It has now turned out that oxytocin has a relieving effect on inflammation. "

So says a patent application for oxytocin therapy  filed  last week by Kerstin Uvnas-Moberg and Thomas Lundeberg, formerly researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. They have an earlier application on file in Europe.

The latest patent application covers using oxytocin to treat inflammation caused by edema, hyperalgesia,      myeloperoxidase accumulation, cystitis, pancreatitis, cutaneous inflammation, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, air-way inflammation, and asthma. It also covers using substances that increase the release of oxytocin or that enhance its effects (such as estrogen).

The duo also has filed for patent protection for using oxytocin to treat menopausal symptoms. While that had been tested in humans -- to good effect -- the inflammation studies have been carried out on rats.

See also: Oxytocin Eases Menopause