Ana Catarina Viana Valle, Hilana Dos Santos Sena Brunel, Bruno Stéfano Lima Dallago, Lucas Santana Rodrigues, Patrícia Furtado Malard, Rosiane Andrade da Costa, Rafael Rossetto, Rosângela Vieira de Andrade
Introduction: The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in cytotoxicity tests is an in-vitro alternative model for predicting initial doses. Homeopathic medicines may stimulate the immune system to combat a pathology effectively and have been used for over two centuries. Viscum album (VA) extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer, due to their immunomodulatory, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro growth kinetics of canine MSC in relation to cytotoxicity, cell differentiation and expression of pluripotentiality markers, using a VA preparation at the D1D2 (1×10-1, 1×10-2 potency (VAD1D2).
Methods: MSC were obtained from adipose tissue sampled from a healthy dog that was undergoing an elective veterinary procedure and with its owner's permission. The experiments were performed in three groups: MSC treated with VAD1D2 or diluent or untreated (control). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. The differentiation was induced in three lineages, and apoptotic cell labeling was performed by an Annexin-V test.
Results: At the concentration of 10 μL/mL of VA, the number of cells after in-vitro culture was maintained when compared with the control (untreated) group. A significant and gradual decrease in cell viability was recorded as VA concentrations increased. The apoptosis analysis showed that VA at 20 μL/mL presented absolute percentages of initial apoptosis twice as high as at 10 μL/mL, which was similar to the control (untreated group).
Conclusion: The results suggest that the use of efficient methods to assess the in-vitro cytotoxicity of VA-based homeopathic medicines using MSC lineages may predict the potential action at different concentrations. These findings demonstrated that VAD1D2 interferes with canine MSC growth kinetics.
在细胞毒性试验中使用间充质干细胞(MSC)是预测初始剂量的一种体外替代模型。顺势疗法药物可以刺激免疫系统有效地对抗病理,已经使用了两个多世纪。Viscum album (VA)提取物因其具有免疫调节、细胞毒性和促凋亡的特性而被广泛应用于癌症的治疗中。目的:本研究旨在利用D1D2 (1×10-1, 1×10-2效价(VAD1D2))的VA制剂,评估犬间充质干细胞的体外生长动力学与细胞毒性、细胞分化和多能性标志物表达的关系。方法:在主人允许的情况下,从正在接受选择性兽医手术的健康狗的脂肪组织样本中获得间充质干细胞。实验分为三组:间充质干细胞经VAD1D2或稀释液处理或未经处理(对照组)。MTT法测定细胞毒性。在三个谱系中诱导分化,并通过Annexin-V试验进行凋亡细胞标记。结果:在VA浓度为10 μL/mL时,与对照组(未处理组)相比,体外培养后的细胞数量保持不变。随着VA浓度的增加,细胞活力显著而逐渐下降。细胞凋亡分析表明,20 μL/mL的VA诱导的初始细胞凋亡绝对百分比是10 μL/mL的2倍,与对照组(未处理组)相似。结论:使用高效的方法评估基于va的顺势疗法药物的体外细胞毒性,可以预测不同浓度下的潜在作用。这些结果表明,VAD1D2干扰犬间充质干细胞生长动力学。
{"title":"In-Vitro Growth Kinetics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cytotoxicity Tests Using Low-Diluted Viscum Album.","authors":"Ana Catarina Viana Valle, Hilana Dos Santos Sena Brunel, Bruno Stéfano Lima Dallago, Lucas Santana Rodrigues, Patrícia Furtado Malard, Rosiane Andrade da Costa, Rafael Rossetto, Rosângela Vieira de Andrade","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1747682","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1747682","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in cytotoxicity tests is an <i>in-vitro</i> alternative model for predicting initial doses. Homeopathic medicines may stimulate the immune system to combat a pathology effectively and have been used for over two centuries. <i>Viscum album</i> (VA) extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer, due to their immunomodulatory, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong> This study aimed to evaluate the <i>in-vitro</i> growth kinetics of canine MSC in relation to cytotoxicity, cell differentiation and expression of pluripotentiality markers, using a VA preparation at the D1D2 (1×10<sup>-1</sup>, 1×10<sup>-2</sup> potency (VAD1D2).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> MSC were obtained from adipose tissue sampled from a healthy dog that was undergoing an elective veterinary procedure and with its owner's permission. The experiments were performed in three groups: MSC treated with VAD1D2 or diluent or untreated (control). The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. The differentiation was induced in three lineages, and apoptotic cell labeling was performed by an Annexin-V test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> At the concentration of 10 μL/mL of VA, the number of cells after <i>in-vitro</i> culture was maintained when compared with the control (untreated) group. A significant and gradual decrease in cell viability was recorded as VA concentrations increased. The apoptosis analysis showed that VA at 20 μL/mL presented absolute percentages of initial apoptosis twice as high as at 10 μL/mL, which was similar to the control (untreated group).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> The results suggest that the use of efficient methods to assess the <i>in-vitro</i> cytotoxicity of VA-based homeopathic medicines using MSC lineages may predict the potential action at different concentrations. These findings demonstrated that VAD1D2 interferes with canine MSC growth kinetics.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/02/d9/10-1055-s-0042-1747682.PMC9868971.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10614419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-11-01Epub Date: 2022-08-21DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750209
Raj Kumar Manchanda
{"title":"Dr. Ramji Gupta: The Homeopathy Ambassador and Leading Dermatologist of India.","authors":"Raj Kumar Manchanda","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1750209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1750209","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40627595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Use of homeopathic medicines for the treatment of cancers has increased in the last several years. Arnica montana is an anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicine used in traumatic conditions and because of this property we performed investigations for its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent against breast cancer.
Methods: An ethanolic extract of Arnica montana (mother tincture, MT), prepared according to the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India, was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), followed by computational (in silico) analysis using molecular docking, to identify specific compounds that can bind and modulate the activity of key proteins involved in breast cancer survival and progression. To validate the in silico findings, in a controlled experiment breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated in vitro with Arnica montana and the cytotoxic effects assessed by flowcytometry, fluorescence microscopy, scratch assay, clonogenic potential and gene expression analysis.
Results: Phytochemical characterization of ethanolic extract of Arn MT by GC-MS allowed identification of several compounds. Caryophyllene oxide and 7-hydroxycadalene were selected for molecular docking studies, based on their potential drug-like properties. These compounds displayed selective binding affinity to some of the recognized target proteins of breast cancer, which included estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and E-cadherin. In vitro studies revealed induction of apoptosis in MCF7 cells following treatment with Arn MT. Furthermore, treatment with Arn MT revealed its ability to inhibit migration and colony forming abilities of the cancer cells.
Conclusion: Considering the apoptotic and anti-migratory effects of Arnica montana in breast cancer cells in vitro, there is a need for this medicine to be further validated in an in vivo model.
{"title":"Computational and In Vitro Approaches to Elucidate the Anti-cancer Effects of Arnica montana in Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer.","authors":"Nilanjana Basu, Priyanka Narad, Manni Luthra Guptasarma, Chanderdeep Tandon, Bhudev Chandra Das, Simran Tandon","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1743565","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1743565","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Use of homeopathic medicines for the treatment of cancers has increased in the last several years. <i>Arnica montana</i> is an anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicine used in traumatic conditions and because of this property we performed investigations for its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent against breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An ethanolic extract of <i>Arnica montana</i> (mother tincture, MT), prepared according to the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India, was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), followed by computational (<i>in silico</i>) analysis using molecular docking, to identify specific compounds that can bind and modulate the activity of key proteins involved in breast cancer survival and progression. To validate the <i>in silico</i> findings, in a controlled experiment breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated <i>in vitro</i> with <i>Arnica montana</i> and the cytotoxic effects assessed by flowcytometry, fluorescence microscopy, scratch assay, clonogenic potential and gene expression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phytochemical characterization of ethanolic extract of <i>Arn</i> MT by GC-MS allowed identification of several compounds. Caryophyllene oxide and 7-hydroxycadalene were selected for molecular docking studies, based on their potential drug-like properties. These compounds displayed selective binding affinity to some of the recognized target proteins of breast cancer, which included estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and E-cadherin. <i>In vitro</i> studies revealed induction of apoptosis in MCF7 cells following treatment with <i>Arn</i> MT. Furthermore, treatment with <i>Arn</i> MT revealed its ability to inhibit migration and colony forming abilities of the cancer cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Considering the apoptotic and anti-migratory effects of <i>Arnica montana</i> in breast cancer cells <i>in vitro</i>, there is a need for this medicine to be further validated in an <i>in vivo</i> model.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10413690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the 8th most prevalent disease worldwide. Acne vulgaris (AV) is among the diseases that directly affect quality of life. This trial evaluated the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHM) against placebo in AV.
Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, India, 126 patients suffering from AV were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IHM (verum) in centesimal potencies or identical-looking placebo (control). The primary outcome measure was the Global Acne Grading System score; secondary outcomes were the Cardiff Acne Disability Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaires - all measured at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample.
Results: Overall, improvements were greater in the IHM group than placebo, with small to medium effect sizes after 3 months of intervention; however, the inter-group differences were statistically non-significant. Sulphur (17.5%), Natrum muriaticum (15.1%), Calcarea phosphorica (14.3%), Pulsatilla nigricans (10.3%), and Antimonium crudum (7.1%) were the most frequently prescribed medicines; Pulsatilla nigricans, Tuberculinum bovinum and Natrum muriaticum were the most effective of those used. No harms, unintended effects, homeopathic aggravations or any serious adverse events were reported from either group.
Conclusion: There was non-significant direction of effect favoring homeopathy against placebo in the treatment of AV.
{"title":"Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Shruti Rai, Gobind Narayan Gupta, Subhas Singh, James Michael, Pankhuri Misra, Bharti Gupta, Suman Singh, Akshaya Prakash, Maneela Tomar, Satarupa Sadhukhan, Munmun Koley, Subhranil Saha","doi":"10.1055/s-0041-1739397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739397","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the 8<sup>th</sup> most prevalent disease worldwide. Acne vulgaris (AV) is among the diseases that directly affect quality of life. This trial evaluated the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHM) against placebo in AV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, India, 126 patients suffering from AV were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IHM (verum) in centesimal potencies or identical-looking placebo (control). The primary outcome measure was the Global Acne Grading System score; secondary outcomes were the Cardiff Acne Disability Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaires - all measured at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen's <i>d</i>) were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, improvements were greater in the IHM group than placebo, with small to medium effect sizes after 3 months of intervention; however, the inter-group differences were statistically non-significant. <i>Sulphur</i> (17.5%), <i>Natrum muriaticum</i> (15.1%), <i>Calcarea phosphorica</i> (14.3%), <i>Pulsatilla nigricans</i> (10.3%), and <i>Antimonium crudum</i> (7.1%) were the most frequently prescribed medicines; <i>Pulsatilla nigricans</i>, <i>Tuberculinum bovinum</i> and <i>Natrum muriaticum</i> were the most effective of those used. No harms, unintended effects, homeopathic aggravations or any serious adverse events were reported from either group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was non-significant direction of effect favoring homeopathy against placebo in the treatment of AV.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>CTRI/2018/11/016248; UTN: U1111-1221-8164.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10413147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: This work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C against COVID-19.
Design: The work was designed as a prospective parallel cluster cohort study.
Intervention: Participants were enrolled in a homeopathy intervention (HI) cohort (who received Arsenicum album) or in a non-intervention (NI) cohort (who received no systematic intervention) from COVID-19 containment areas of Delhi. Individuals of age 5 years or above were given four medicated pills of Arsenicum album 30C, while those from 1 to 5 years old were given two medicated pills in each dose.
Results: The analysis included 10,180 individuals residing in 11 COVID-19 containment areas in Delhi, out of which 6,590 individuals were in the HI cohort and 3,590 individuals were in the NI cohort. The overall protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C was 83.43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.77 to 88.17): 45 cases per 6,590 (8.34 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the Arsenicum album 30C group versus 143 cases per 3,590 (45.01 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort. The protective effect of Arsenicum album 30C against laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was 74.40% (95% CI, 55.08 to 85.41): 18 cases per 6,590 (3.32 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the Arsenicum album 30C group versus 38 cases per 3,590 (11.85 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort.
Conclusion: The use of Arsenicum album 30C was associated with some protection against probable and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in a containment-zone setting. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm or refute these results.
目的:评价Arsenicum album 30C对COVID-19的保护作用。设计:本研究设计为前瞻性平行集群队列研究。干预:参与者被纳入来自德里COVID-19防控区域的顺势疗法干预(HI)队列(接受Arsenicum相册)或非干预(NI)队列(未接受系统干预)。年龄在5岁及以上的个体给予4粒Arsenicum album 30C, 1 ~ 5岁的个体给予每剂2粒。结果:该分析包括居住在德里11个COVID-19控制区的10180人,其中6590人属于HI队列,3590人属于NI队列。Arsenicum album 30C的总体保护效果为83.43%(95%可信区间[CI], 76.77至88.17):Arsenicum album 30C组为45例/ 6590(8.34 / 10000人周),NI组为143例/ 3590(45.01 / 10000人周)。Arsenicum album 30C对实验室确诊的COVID-19的保护作用为74.40% (95% CI, 55.08至85.41):Arsenicum album 30C组每6590例(3.32 / 10000人周)有18例,NI组每3590例(11.85 / 10000人周)有38例。结论:在隔离区环境中,使用Arsenicum album 30C可在一定程度上防范可能的和实验室确诊的COVID-19。需要随机对照试验来证实或反驳这些结果。
{"title":"Effectiveness of Arsenicum album 30C in Prevention of COVID-19 in Individuals Residing in Containment Zones of Delhi-A Prospective, Community-based, Parallel Cohort Study.","authors":"Debadatta Nayak, Karanpreet Nahar, Rupali Bhalerao, Lovepreet Kaur, Tabassum Parveen, Ruchika Bhalla, James Michael, Swati Sharma, Parul Singh, Afsana Jainab, Hanuman Ram, Abhishek Chaudhuri, Ummesalma Parvin, Nidhi Jain, Anil Khurana","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1745755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1745755","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This work was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C against COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The work was designed as a prospective parallel cluster cohort study.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Participants were enrolled in a homeopathy intervention (HI) cohort (who received <i>Arsenicum album</i>) or in a non-intervention (NI) cohort (who received no systematic intervention) from COVID-19 containment areas of Delhi. Individuals of age 5 years or above were given four medicated pills of <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C, while those from 1 to 5 years old were given two medicated pills in each dose.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis included 10,180 individuals residing in 11 COVID-19 containment areas in Delhi, out of which 6,590 individuals were in the HI cohort and 3,590 individuals were in the NI cohort. The overall protective effect of <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C was 83.43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.77 to 88.17): 45 cases per 6,590 (8.34 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C group versus 143 cases per 3,590 (45.01 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort. The protective effect of <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C against laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was 74.40% (95% CI, 55.08 to 85.41): 18 cases per 6,590 (3.32 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C group versus 38 cases per 3,590 (11.85 per 10,000 person-weeks) in the NI cohort.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C was associated with some protection against probable and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in a containment-zone setting. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm or refute these results.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10413686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thaís Cristina da Silva, William Alves Dos Santos, Sandra A G Pinto, Paulo Ricardo Dell'Armelina Rocha, Elizabeth Cristina Perez Hurtado, Leoni Villano Bonamin
Objective: The present study aimed to identify possible phenotypic changes in 4T1 (murine mammary adenocarcinoma) cells in vitro, including viability, HER-2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-type 2) expression, and metastatic potential, after treatment with Carcinosinum in different homeopathic dilutions (12cH, 30cH, 200cH) shaken mechanically in pure, sterile, water from a commercial stock dilution.
Methods: Treated cells were cultured in R10 medium, using 24-well plates, 105 cells per well, and treated with vehicle, Carcinosinum 12cH, 30cH or 200cH; untreated cells were used as the baseline control. After 24 hours of treatment, the percentage of apoptotic cells was analyzed by annexin V. Cell morphology was evaluated by microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa staining, whilst HER-2 expression was assessed using immunocytochemistry. The metastatic potential was determined by the expression and activity of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) using zymography. The cytokine profile was established using the cytometric bead array method.
Result: Treatment of 4T1 cells in vitro with Carcinosinum 30cH produced an increase in the number of annexin V-positive cells (apoptosis) and decreased expression of proactivated MMP-9. Cells treated with Carcinosinum 200cH presented hyper-expression of HER-2 on the plasma membrane, identified by immunocytochemistry. There were no differences in cytokine production among treatments.
Conclusion: The data show promising results for Carcinosinum 30cH in vitro, but in vivo studies are also required to evaluate the role of tumor microenvironment in its effects.
{"title":"Phenotypic Changes in Mammary Adenocarcinoma (4T1) cells In Vitro after Treatment with Carcinosinum.","authors":"Thaís Cristina da Silva, William Alves Dos Santos, Sandra A G Pinto, Paulo Ricardo Dell'Armelina Rocha, Elizabeth Cristina Perez Hurtado, Leoni Villano Bonamin","doi":"10.1055/s-0041-1740967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1740967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study aimed to identify possible phenotypic changes in 4T1 (murine mammary adenocarcinoma) cells <i>in vitro</i>, including viability, HER-2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-type 2) expression, and metastatic potential, after treatment with <i>Carcinosinum</i> in different homeopathic dilutions (12cH, 30cH, 200cH) shaken mechanically in pure, sterile, water from a commercial stock dilution.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Treated cells were cultured in R10 medium, using 24-well plates, 10<sup>5</sup> cells per well, and treated with vehicle, <i>Carcinosinum</i> 12cH, 30cH or 200cH; untreated cells were used as the baseline control. After 24 hours of treatment, the percentage of apoptotic cells was analyzed by annexin V. Cell morphology was evaluated by microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa staining, whilst HER-2 expression was assessed using immunocytochemistry. The metastatic potential was determined by the expression and activity of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) using zymography. The cytokine profile was established using the cytometric bead array method.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Treatment of 4T1 cells <i>in vitro</i> with <i>Carcinosinum</i> 30cH produced an increase in the number of annexin V-positive cells (apoptosis) and decreased expression of proactivated MMP-9. Cells treated with <i>Carcinosinum</i> 200cH presented hyper-expression of HER-2 on the plasma membrane, identified by immunocytochemistry. There were no differences in cytokine production among treatments.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The data show promising results for <i>Carcinosinum</i> 30cH <i>in vitro</i>, but <i>in vivo</i> studies are also required to evaluate the role of tumor microenvironment in its effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10407508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giuliano Pereira de Barros, Laura Livia Arias Avilés, Maria Clara Huschel Hillmann, Patrizia Ana Bricarello
Background: Myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a serious problem in animal health in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Ointment-type preparations are a good option of formulation in cases of myiasis in farm and pet animals. Sulphur and Pyrogenium have already shown in-vitro efficacy on C. hominivorax. This article describes an in-vitro experiment to test the inhibition of development from exposing larvae of C. hominivorax to two homeopathic ointments (prepared individually with Sulphur or Pyrogenium).
Methods: The homeopathic ointments were produced by mixing sterile lanolin, tocopherol and homeopathic medicine on a hydroalcoholic basis according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Larvae were obtained from naturally occurring myiases in sheep (wild larvae) or from a laboratory colony. The test consisted of exposing a group of 10 third-stage C. hominivorax wild larvae in contact with Sulphur or Pyrogenium ointment, or a group of 15 laboratory-propagated larvae in contact with the alcoholic vehicle of the ointment or homeopathic medicines prepared in sterile water (Sulphur or Pyrogenium), and observing the effect on the development, longevity and fertility of the blow-fly specimens.
Results: The C. hominivorax larval inhibition rate was 90.0% for the Sulphur ointment group and was 86.0% for the Pyrogenium ointment group. The non-alcoholic vehicle and the alcoholic vehicle inhibited the development of 24.0% and 22.08% of the larvae respectively. Sulphur prepared in sterile water inhibited the development of 74.67% and Pyrogenium in sterile water inhibited 73.33% of larvae. Specimens that survived contact with homeopathic ointments had their longevity decreased and did not reproduce.
Conclusion: Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium were able to inhibit the development of C. hominivorax larvae. The ointment vehicle was harmless.
{"title":"Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae).","authors":"Giuliano Pereira de Barros, Laura Livia Arias Avilés, Maria Clara Huschel Hillmann, Patrizia Ana Bricarello","doi":"10.1055/s-0041-1739395","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739395","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Myiasis by <i>Cochliomyia hominivorax</i> (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a serious problem in animal health in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Ointment-type preparations are a good option of formulation in cases of myiasis in farm and pet animals. <i>Sulphur</i> and <i>Pyrogenium</i> have already shown <i>in-vitro</i> efficacy on <i>C. hominivorax</i>. This article describes an <i>in-vitro</i> experiment to test the inhibition of development from exposing larvae of <i>C. hominivorax</i> to two homeopathic ointments (prepared individually with <i>Sulphur</i> or <i>Pyrogenium</i>).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The homeopathic ointments were produced by mixing sterile lanolin, tocopherol and homeopathic medicine on a hydroalcoholic basis according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Larvae were obtained from naturally occurring myiases in sheep (wild larvae) or from a laboratory colony. The test consisted of exposing a group of 10 third-stage <i>C. hominivorax</i> wild larvae in contact with <i>Sulphur</i> or <i>Pyrogenium</i> ointment, or a group of 15 laboratory-propagated larvae in contact with the alcoholic vehicle of the ointment or homeopathic medicines prepared in sterile water (<i>Sulphur</i> or <i>Pyrogenium</i>), and observing the effect on the development, longevity and fertility of the blow-fly specimens.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The <i>C. hominivorax</i> larval inhibition rate was 90.0% for the <i>Sulphur</i> ointment group and was 86.0% for the <i>Pyrogenium</i> ointment group. The non-alcoholic vehicle and the alcoholic vehicle inhibited the development of 24.0% and 22.08% of the larvae respectively. <i>Sulphur</i> prepared in sterile water inhibited the development of 74.67% and <i>Pyrogenium</i> in sterile water inhibited 73.33% of larvae. Specimens that survived contact with homeopathic ointments had their longevity decreased and did not reproduce.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ointments of <i>Sulphur</i> or <i>Pyrogenium</i> were able to inhibit the development of <i>C. hominivorax</i> larvae. The ointment vehicle was harmless.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10400018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) syndrome is one of the causes of male infertility, characterized by a decreased number of sperms (oligospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenospermia), and abnormal sperm shape (teratospermia). In necrospermia, spermatozoa in the ejaculated semen are dead, and in hypospermia, semen volume is less than 2 mL. The present case may be unique because of the association of all these features together in a single patient.
Method: This idiopathic case was treated, from November 2016 to April 2017 in the National Homeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, with the homeopathic medicine Natrium muriaticum. The Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) score was used to assess the likelihood of causal attribution of the clinical outcome to the homeopathic medicine.
Result: By the third month of starting homeopathic treatment, there was a marked improvement in sperm count from 14.4 to 77.4 million, semen volume from 0.8 to 2.2 mL, and normal forms from 14 to 75%. His wife became pregnant by the 5th month and delivered a healthy baby girl at full term. A MONARCH score of +9/13 indicates a positive causal relationship between the medicine prescribed and the treatment outcome.
Conclusion: The present case report suggests a positive effect of individualized homeopathic medicine in treating a rare presentation of male infertility due to OAT syndrome.
{"title":"A Case Report of Idiopathic OAT Syndrome, Associated with Necrospermia and Hypospermia, Reversed with Individualized Homeopathy.","authors":"Vinitha Edavattath Ramanan, Silpa Sathyanandhan","doi":"10.1055/s-0041-1739396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1739396","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) syndrome is one of the causes of male infertility, characterized by a decreased number of sperms (oligospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenospermia), and abnormal sperm shape (teratospermia). In necrospermia, spermatozoa in the ejaculated semen are dead, and in hypospermia, semen volume is less than 2 mL. The present case may be unique because of the association of all these features together in a single patient.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This idiopathic case was treated, from November 2016 to April 2017 in the National Homeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, with the homeopathic medicine <i>Natrium muriaticum</i>. The Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) score was used to assess the likelihood of causal attribution of the clinical outcome to the homeopathic medicine.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>By the third month of starting homeopathic treatment, there was a marked improvement in sperm count from 14.4 to 77.4 million, semen volume from 0.8 to 2.2 mL, and normal forms from 14 to 75%. His wife became pregnant by the 5<sup>th</sup> month and delivered a healthy baby girl at full term. A MONARCH score of +9/13 indicates a positive causal relationship between the medicine prescribed and the treatment outcome.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present case report suggests a positive effect of individualized homeopathic medicine in treating a rare presentation of male infertility due to OAT syndrome.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10412726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects can transmit the infection for as many as 14 days and are regarded as a significant factor in the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory study aimed to determine any additional benefits of selected homeopathic medicines compared with placebo in asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals receiving standard care.
Methods: This open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial was undertaken at a COVID Care Centre (CCC) in Madhya Pradesh, India. Patients (n = 200, 18-65 years, both sexes) having a positive RT-PCR and asymptomatic during admission were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups (each n = 50): Arsenicum album 30C (Ars. alb.), Camphora 1M (Camph.), Bryonia alba 30C (Bry. alb.) and placebo (Pl.). All the patients were given standard care. The primary outcome was the number of patients becoming RT-PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2 at days 5, 10 and 15.
Results: In total, 200 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were enrolled. One hundred and seventy-seven patients became RT-PCR negative by day 15; 88%, 80%, 98% and 88% from Ars. alb., Camph., Bry. alb. and Pl. respectively. A Chi-square test of association for the total patients who became RT-PCR negative for SARS-Cov-2 in each group showed a marginal statistical significance (Chi-square: 8.1, p = 0.04). A two-proportion Z-test comparing each pre-identified homeopathic medicine with placebo showed marginal statistical significance (p = 0.05) for Bry alb. only. Median time in days to RT-PCR negative (Kaplan Meier analysis) was 10 days in each of the groups.
Conclusion: There was some evidence that, compared with Ars alb., Camph. or Pl., Bry. alb. was associated with an increased number of patients who became RT-PCR negative for COVID-19 by day 15. The possible effect exerted needs to be investigated in additional research.
{"title":"Comparative Effectiveness of Pre-Identified Homeopathic Medicines in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Individuals Receiving Standard Care-An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Exploratory Trial.","authors":"Roja Varanasi, Sunita Tomar, Sanjay Gupta, Praveen Jaiswal, Ankit Srivastava, Vijendra Parmar, Shradha Chauhan, Arvind Kumar, Shivendra Kumar Mishra, Anil Khurana","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1745754","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1745754","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects can transmit the infection for as many as 14 days and are regarded as a significant factor in the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory study aimed to determine any additional benefits of selected homeopathic medicines compared with placebo in asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals receiving standard care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial was undertaken at a COVID Care Centre (CCC) in Madhya Pradesh, India. Patients (<i>n</i> = 200, 18-65 years, both sexes) having a positive RT-PCR and asymptomatic during admission were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups (each <i>n</i> = 50): <i>Arsenicum album</i> 30C (<i>Ars. alb.</i>), <i>Camphora</i> 1M (<i>Camph</i>.), <i>Bryonia alba</i> 30C <i>(Bry. alb.)</i> and placebo (<i>Pl</i>.). All the patients were given standard care. The primary outcome was the number of patients becoming RT-PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2 at days 5, 10 and 15.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 200 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were enrolled. One hundred and seventy-seven patients became RT-PCR negative by day 15; 88%, 80%, 98% and 88% from <i>Ars. alb., Camph., Bry. alb.</i> and <i>Pl.</i> respectively. A Chi-square test of association for the total patients who became RT-PCR negative for SARS-Cov-2 in each group showed a marginal statistical significance (Chi-square: 8.1, <i>p</i> = 0.04). A two-proportion <i>Z</i>-test comparing each pre-identified homeopathic medicine with placebo showed marginal statistical significance (<i>p</i> = 0.05) for <i>Bry alb.</i> only. Median time in days to RT-PCR negative (Kaplan Meier analysis) was 10 days in each of the groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was some evidence that, compared with <i>Ars alb., Camph</i>. or <i>Pl.</i>, <i>Bry. alb.</i> was associated with an increased number of patients who became RT-PCR negative for COVID-19 by day 15. The possible effect exerted needs to be investigated in additional research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10775505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}