A highly polar organic liquid, that is used widely as a chemical solvent. Because of its ability to penetrate biological membranes, it is used as a vehicle for topical application of pharmaceuticals. It is also used to protect tissue during cryopreservation. Dimethyl sulfoxide shows a range of pharmacological activity including analgesia and anti-inflammation. [PubChem] (en)
The mechanism of dimethyl sulfoxide's actions is not well understood. Dimethyl sulfoxide has demonstrated antioxidant activity in certain biological settings. For example, the cardiovascular protective effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in copper-deficient rats is thought to occur by an antioxidant mechanism. It is also thought that dimethyl sulfoxide's possible anti-inflammatory activity is due to antioxidant action. (en)
The oral LD<sub>50</sub> of dimethyl sulfoxide in the dog is greater than 10 gm/kg. It is improbable that this dosage level could be obtained with intravesical instillation of dimethyl sulfoxide in the patient. (en)
Zhi Guo, Indra Prakash, "Synthesis and purification of 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde via oxidation of 1-chloro-3,3-dimethylbutane with dimethyl sulfoxide." U.S. Patent US5905175, issued October, 1990. (en)