Exploring effects of a natural combination medicine on exercise‐induced inflammatory immune response: A double‐blind RCT

Traumeel ( T r14) is a natural, combination drug, which has been shown to modulate inflammation at the cytokine level. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of T r14 on the exercise‐induced immune response. In a double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy, untrained male subjects received either T r14 ( n =  40) or placebo ( n =  40) for 24 h after a strenuous experimental exercise trial on a bicycle (60 min at 80% VO 2 max ). A range of antigen‐stimulated cytokines ( in vitro ), white blood cell count, lymphocyte activation and apoptosis markers, and indicators of muscle damage were assessed up to 24 h following exercise. The area under the curve with respect to the increase ( AUC I ) was compared between both groups. The T r14 group showed a reduced exercise‐induced leukocytosis and neutrocytosis ( P  < 0.01 for both), a higher AUC I score of antigen‐stimulated IL ‐1β and IL ‐1α (absolute and per monocyte, all P  < 0.05), a lower AUC I score of antigen‐stimulated GM ‐ CSF ( P  < 0.05) and by trend a lower AUC I score of antigen‐stimulated IL ‐2 and IL ‐4 as well as a higher AUC I score of antigen‐stimulated IL ‐6 (all P  < 0.1). T r14 might promote differentiated effects on the exercise‐induced immune response by (a) decreasing the inflammatory response of the innate immune system; and (b) augmenting the pro‐inflammatory cytokine response.