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Basu N, Garg M, Tandon C, Das BC, Tandon S. Arsenicum album Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis, and Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hormone-Dependent MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. HOMEOPATHY 2023; 112:160-169. [PMID: 36442592 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been in therapeutic use since the 18th century for various types of cancers including skin and breast; however, it gained popularity following FDA approval for its use against acute promyelocytic leukemia. This present work was designed to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of a homeopathic potency of arsenic trioxide (Arsenicum album 6C) in hormone-dependent breast cancer. METHODS Breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated with Arsenicum album (Ars 6C) to evaluate its anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential. We examined the effect of Ars 6C on the cell cycle, wound healing, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and modulation of expression of key genes which are aberrant in cancer. RESULTS Treating breast cancer cells with Ars 6C halted the cell cycle at the sub-G0 and G2/M phases, which could be attributed to DNA damage induced by the generation of ROS. Apoptotic induction was associated with upregulation of Bax expression, with concurrent downregulation of the Bcl-2 gene. Ars 6C was also seen to reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition and reduce the migration of breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that Ars has significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential against breast cancer cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism by which Ars exerts its effect in the in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjana Basu
- Amity Institute Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Bhudev Chandra Das
- Amity Institute Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Simran Tandon
- Amity Institute Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Amity University Punjab, Mohali, India
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Singh RS, Singh A, Kaur H, Batra G, Sarma P, Kaur H, Bhattacharyya A, Sharma AR, Kumar S, Upadhyay S, Tiwari V, Avti P, Prakash A, Medhi B. Promising traditional Indian medicinal plants for the management of novel Coronavirus disease: A systematic review. Phytother Res 2021; 35:4456-4484. [PMID: 34132429 PMCID: PMC8441711 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Indian medical practices (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and homeopathy) are a vast reservoir of knowledge about medicinal plants. The promising pharmacological properties of these plants have paved the way for developing therapy against novel Coronavirus (CoV) infection. The current review will summarize published works of literature on the effects of traditional Indian medicinal plants against acute respiratory infection (COVID‐19, SARS, Influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus infection) and registered clinical trials of traditional Indian herbal medicines in COVID‐19. The current study aims to comprehensively evaluate the data of traditional Indian medicinal plants to warrant their use in COVID‐19 management. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched along with different clinical trial databases. A total of 22 relevant traditional Indian medicinal plants (35 relevant studies) were included in the current study having potential antiviral properties against virus‐induced respiratory illness along with promising immunomodulatory and thrombolytic properties. Further, 36 randomized and nonrandomized registered clinical trials were also included that were aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal plants or their formulations in COVID‐19 management. The antiviral, immunomodulatory, and thrombolytic activities of the traditional Indian medicinal plants laid down a strong rationale for their use in developing therapies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The study identified some important potential traditional Indian medicinal herbs such as Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamomum cassia, Cydonia oblonga, Embelin ribes, Justicia adhatoda, Momordica charantia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Camphor, and Kabusura kudineer, which could be used in therapeutic strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Soloman Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Harpinder Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gitika Batra
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Phulen Sarma
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Hardeep Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anusuya Bhattacharyya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amit Raj Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Subodh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sujata Upadhyay
- Department of Physilogy, Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vinod Tiwari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University Campus, Varanasi, India
| | - Pramod Avti
- Department of Biophysics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ajay Prakash
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Replications of fundamental research models in ultra high dilutions 1994 and 2015--update on a bibliometric study. HOMEOPATHY 2015; 104:234-45. [PMID: 26678723 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This paper focuses exclusively on experimental models with ultra high dilutions (i.e. beyond 10(-23)) that have been submitted to replication scrutiny. It updates previous surveys, considers suggestions made by the research community and compares the state of replication in 1994 with that in 2015. METHODS Following literature research, biochemical, immunological, botanical, cell biological and zoological studies on ultra high dilutions (potencies) were included. Reports were grouped into initial studies, laboratory-internal, multicentre and external replications. Repetition could yield either comparable, or zero, or opposite results. The null-hypothesis was that test and control groups would not be distinguishable (zero effect). RESULTS A total of 126 studies were found. From these, 28 were initial studies. When all 98 replicative studies were considered, 70.4% (i.e. 69) reported a result comparable to that of the initial study, 20.4% (20) zero effect and 9.2% (9) an opposite result. Both for the studies until 1994 and the studies 1995-2015 the null-hypothesis (dominance of zero results) should be rejected. Furthermore, the odds of finding a comparable result are generally higher than of finding an opposite result. Although this is true for all three types of replication studies, the fraction of comparable studies diminishes from laboratory-internal (total 82.9%) to multicentre (total 75%) to external (total 48.3%), while the fraction of opposite results was 4.9%, 10.7% and 13.8%. Furthermore, it became obvious that the probability of an external replication producing comparable results is bigger for models that had already been further scrutinized by the initial researchers. CONCLUSIONS We found 28 experimental models which underwent replication. In total, 24 models were replicated with comparable results, 12 models with zero effect, and 6 models with opposite results. Five models were externally reproduced with comparable results. We encourage further replications of studies in order to learn more about the model systems used.
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Fibert P. Case report of a 16 year old youth with diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger's syndrome and dyslexia receiving homoeopathic and tautopathic treatment. Eur J Integr Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Bellavite P, Signorini A, Marzotto M, Moratti E, Bonafini C, Olioso D. Cell sensitivity, non-linearity and inverse effects. HOMEOPATHY 2015; 104:139-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Current trends in high dilution research with particular reference to gene regulatory hypothesis. THE NUCLEUS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-014-0105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Bellavite P, Marzotto M, Olioso D, Moratti E, Conforti A. High-dilution effects revisited. 2. Pharmacodynamic mechanisms. HOMEOPATHY 2014; 103:22-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Repetitions of fundamental research models for homeopathically prepared dilutions beyond 10-23: a bibliometric study. HOMEOPATHY 2010; 99:25-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Animal models for studying homeopathy and high dilutions: Conceptual critical review. HOMEOPATHY 2010; 99:37-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Revised: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Mice as a model for homeopathy research. HOMEOPATHY 2009; 98:267-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Banerjee P, Biswas SJ, Belon P, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. A Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Arsenicum Album 200, Can Ameliorate Genotoxicity Induced by Repeated Injections of Arsenic Trioxide in Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:370-6. [PMID: 17718811 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00945.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Groundwater arsenic contamination has become a menacing global problem. No drug is available until now to combat chronic arsenic poisoning. To examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album-200, can effectively combat chronic arsenic toxicity induced by repeated injections of Arsenic trioxide in mice, the following experimental design was adopted. Mice (Mus musculus) were injected subcutaneously with 0.016% arsenic trioxide at the rate of 1 ml/100 g body weight, at an interval of 7 days until they were killed at day 30, 60, 90 or 120 and were divided into three groups: (i) one receiving a daily dose of Arsenicum Album-200 through oral administration, (ii) one receiving the same dose of diluted succussed alcohol (Alcohol-200) and (iii) another receiving neither drug, nor succussed alcohol. The remedy or the placebo, as the case may be, was fed from the next day onwards after injection until the day before the next injection, and the cycle was repeated until the mice were killed. Two other control groups were also maintained: one receiving only normal diet, and the other receiving normal diet and succussed alcohol. Several toxicity assays, such as cytogenetical (chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index, sperm head anomaly) and biochemical (acid and alkaline phosphatases, lipid peroxidation), were periodically made. Compared with controls, the drug fed mice showed reduced toxicity at statistically significant levels in respect of all the parameters studied, thereby indicating protective potentials of the homeopathic drug against chronic arsenic poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India
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Abstract
Homeopathy is a holistic method of treatment that uses ultralow doses of highly diluted natural substances originating from plants, minerals, or animals and is based on the principle of "like cures like." Despite being occasionally challenged for its scientific validity and mechanism of action, homeopathy continues to enjoy the confidence of millions of patients around the world who opt for this mode of treatment. Contrary to skeptics' views, research on home-opathy using modern tools mostly tends to support its efficacy and advocates new ideas toward understanding its mechanism of action. As part of a Point-Counterpoint feature, this review and its companion piece in this issue by Moffett et al (Integr Cancer Ther. 2006;5:333-342) are composed of a thesis section, a response section in reaction to the companion thesis, and a rebuttal section to address issues raised in the companion response.
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Johnson T, Boon H. Where does homeopathy fit in pharmacy practice? AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION 2007; 71:7. [PMID: 17429507 PMCID: PMC1847554 DOI: 10.5688/aj710107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2006] [Accepted: 07/06/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Homeopathy has been the cause of much debate in the scientific literature with respect to the plausibility and efficacy of homeopathic preparations and practice. Nonetheless, many consumers, pharmacists, physicians, and other health care providers continue to use or practice homeopathic medicine and advocate its safety and efficacy. As drug experts, pharmacists are expected to be able to counsel their patients on how to safely and effectively use medications, which technically includes homeopathic products. Yet many pharmacists feel that the homeopathic system of medicine is based on unscientific theories that lack supporting evidence. Since consumers continue to use homeopathic products, it is necessary for pharmacists to have a basic knowledge of homeopathy and to be able to counsel patients about its general use, the current state of the evidence and its use in conjunction with other medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teela Johnson
- University of Toronto, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, ON, Canada
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Belon P, Banerjee P, Choudhury SC, Banerjee A, Biswas SJ, Karmakar SR, Pathak S, Guha B, Chatterjee S, Bhattacharjee N, Das JK, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Can administration of potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum album, alter antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer in people living in high-risk arsenic contaminated areas? I. A correlation with certain hematological parameters. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2006; 3:99-107. [PMID: 16550230 PMCID: PMC1375236 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nek013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2005] [Accepted: 12/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
To examine whether elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers reported in random human population of arsenic contaminated villages can be reverted to the normal range by administration of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum album, randomly selected volunteers in two arsenic contaminated villages and one arsenic-free village in West Bengal (India) were periodically tested for their ANA titer as well as various blood parameters in two types of experiments: ‘placebo-controlled double blind’ experiment for shorter duration and ‘uncontrolled verum fed experiment’ for longer duration. Positive modulation of ANA titer was observed along with changes in certain relevant hematological parameters, namely total count of red blood cells and white blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin content, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood sugar level, mostly within 2 months of drug administration. Thus, Arsenicum album appears to have great potential for ameliorating arsenic induced elevated ANA titer and other hematological toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Belon
- Boiron Lab20 rue de la Libėration, Sainte-Foy-Lės-Lyon, France
| | - Pathikrit Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Antara Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Surjyo Jyoti Biswas
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Surajit Pathak
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Bibhas Guha
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | - Sagar Chatterjee
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Jayanta Kumar Das
- Department of Zoology, University of KalyaniKalyani-741235, West Bengal, India
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Khuda-Bukhsh AR, Pathak S, Guha B, Karmakar SR, Das JK, Banerjee P, Biswas SJ, Mukherjee P, Bhattacharjee N, Choudhury SC, Banerjee A, Bhadra S, Mallick P, Chakrabarti J, Mandal B. Can homeopathic arsenic remedy combat arsenic poisoning in humans exposed to groundwater arsenic contamination?: a preliminary report on first human trial. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2005; 2:537-48. [PMID: 16322812 PMCID: PMC1297497 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neh124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Accepted: 08/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Groundwater arsenic (As) has affected millions of people globally distributed over 20 countries. In parts of West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh alone, over 100 million people are at risk, but supply of As-free water is grossly inadequate. Attempts to remove As by using orthodox medicines have mostly been unsuccessful. A potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album-30, was administered to a group of As affected people and thereafter the As contents in their urine and blood were periodically determined. The activities of various toxicity marker enzymes and compounds in the blood, namely aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione, were also periodically monitored up to 3 months. The results are highly encouraging and suggest that the drug can alleviate As poisoning in humans.
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Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Towards understanding molecular mechanisms of action of homeopathic drugs: an overview. Mol Cell Biochem 2004; 253:339-45. [PMID: 14619985 DOI: 10.1023/a:1026048907739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The homeopathic mode of treatment often encourages use of drugs at such ultra-low doses and high dilutions that even the physical existence of a single molecule of the original drug substance becomes theoretically impossible. But homeopathy has sustained for over two hundred years despite periodical challenges thrown by scientists and non-believers regarding its scientificity. There has been a spurt of research activities on homeopathy in recent years, at clinical, physical, chemical, biological and medical levels with acceptable scientific norms and approach. While clinical effects of some homeopathic drugs could be convincingly shown, one of the greatest objections to this science lies in its inability to explain the mechanism of action of the microdoses based on scientific experimentations and proofs. Though many aspects of the mechanism of action still remain unclear, serious efforts have now been made to understand the molecular mechanism(s) of biological responses to the potentized form of homeopathic drugs. In this communication, an overview of some interesting scientific works on homeopathy has been presented with due emphasis on the state of information presently available on several aspects of the molecular mechanism of action of the potentized homeopathic drugs.
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Datta S, Biswas SJ, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Comparative Efficacy of Pre-feeding, Post-feeding and Combined Pre- and Post-feeding of Two Microdoses of a Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Mercurius Solubilis, in Ameliorating Genotoxic Effects Produced by Mercuric Chloride in Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2004; 1:291-300. [PMID: 15864357 PMCID: PMC538503 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neh025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2003] [Accepted: 06/13/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mercury and its derivatives have become an alarming environmental problem, necessitating the search for effective antagonists, including homeopathic drugs, which are generally used in micro doses and are devoid of any palpable side-effects. On the basis of homeopathic similia principle, two potencies of Mercurius solubilis (Merc Sol-30 and Merc Sol-200) were tested by three administrative modes, i.e. pre-feeding, post-feeding and combined pre- and post-feeding, for their possible efficacy in ameliorating mercuric chloride-induced genotoxicity in mice. Healthy mice, Mus musculus, were intraperitoneally injected with 0.06% solution of mercuric chloride at the rate of 1 ml/100 g of body weight, and assessed for genotoxic effects through conventional endpoints. i.e. chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index and sperm head abnormality, keeping suitable controls. Mercuric chloride-treated mice were divided into three sub-groups, which were orally administered with the drug prior to, after and both prior to and after injection of mercuric chloride, and their genotoxic effects were analysed at specific intervals of fixation. Mercuric chloride treatment generally produced more chromosome aberations, micronuclei and sperm head anomaly in mice, but the mitotic index appeared to be slightly reduced. While chromosome aberations, micronuclei and sperm head anomaly were generally reduced in the drug-fed series, the mitotic index showed an apparent increase. In most cases, the combined pre- and post-feeding mode appeared to show the maximum amelioration, followed by post-feeding and pre-feeding, in that order. The amelioration by Merc Sol-200 appeared to be slightly more pronounced. We conclude that potentized homeopathic drugs can serve as possible anti-genotoxic agents against specific environmental mutagens, including toxic heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh
- For reprints and all correspondence: Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal, India. Tel: +91 33 25828750; Fax: +91 33 25828282; Res phone no. +91 33 25828768; E-mail:
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Mallick P, Chakrabarti Mallick J, Guha B, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Ameliorating effect of microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, on arsenic-induced toxicity in mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2003; 3:7. [PMID: 14570596 PMCID: PMC521186 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-3-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2003] [Accepted: 10/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic in groundwater and its accumulation in plants and animals have assumed a menacing proportion in a large part of West Bengal, India and adjoining areas of Bangladesh. Because of the tremendous magnitude of the problem, there seems to be no way to tackle the problem overnight. Efforts to provide arsenic free water to the millions of people living in these dreaded zones are being made, but are awfully inadequate. In our quest for finding out an easy, safe and affordable means to combat this problem, a homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album-30, appears to yield promising results in mice. The relative efficacies of two micro doses of this drug, namely, Arsenicum Album-30 and Arsenicum Album-200, in combating arsenic toxicity have been determined in the present study on the basis of some accepted biochemical protocols. METHODS Mice were divided into different sets of control (both positive and negative) and treated series (As-intoxicated, As-intoxicated plus drug-fed). Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in liver and blood were analyzed in the different series of mice at six different fixation intervals. RESULTS Both Arsenicum Album-30 and Arsenicum Album-200 ameliorated arsenic-induced toxicity to a considerable extent as compared to various controls. CONCLUSIONS The results lend further support to our earlier views that microdoses of potentized Arsenicum Album are capable of combating arsenic intoxication in mice, and thus are strong candidates for possible use in human subjects in arsenic contaminated areas under medical supervision.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mallick
- Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741235, W.B., India
| | | | - B Guha
- Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741235, W.B., India
| | - AR Khuda-Bukhsh
- Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741235, W.B., India
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Liu JW, Tang Y, Shen Y, Zhong XY. Synergistic effect of cell differential agent-II and arsenic trioxide on induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in hepatoma cells. World J Gastroenterol 2003; 9:65-8. [PMID: 12508353 PMCID: PMC4728251 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i1.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To illustrate the possible role of cell differential agent-II (CDA-II) in the apoptosis of hepatoma cells induced by arsenic trioxide (As2O3).
METHODS: Hepatoma cell lines BEL-7402 and HepG2 were treated with As2O3 together with CDA-II. Cell surviving fraction was determined by MTT assay; morphological changes were observed by immunofluorescence staining of Hoechst 33258; and cell cycle and the apoptosis index were determined by flow cytometry (FCM).
RESULTS: Cytotoxity of CDA-II was low. Nevertheless, CDA-II could strongly potentiate arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis. At 1.0 g/L CDA-II, IC50 of As2O3 in hepatoma cell lines was reduced from 5.0 µmol/L to 1.0 µmol/L (P < 0.01). The potentiation of apoptosis was dependent on the dosage of CDA-II. FCM indicated that in hepatoma, cell growth was inhibited by CDA-II at lower concentrations (< 2.0 g/L) primarily by arresting at S and G2 phase, and at higher concentrations (> 2.0 g/L) apoptotic cell and cell cycle arresting at G1 phase increased proportionally. The combination of two drugs led to much higher apoptotic rates, as compared with the either drug used alone.
CONCLUSION: CDA-II can strongly potentiate As2O3-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, and two drugs can produce a significant synergic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Wei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510220, Guangdong Province, China.
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Abstract
Homeopathy, using the tenet of "like cures like," is one of the most popular of the complementary medicines. In conventional medicine, however, little is known about this modality. This article describes the field of homeopathy and its principles and philosophy. It also summarizes the current state of evidence and offers an outlook on future research options.
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Biswas SJ, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Effect of a homeopathic drug, Chelidonium, in amelioration of p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2002; 2:4. [PMID: 11943072 PMCID: PMC107841 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2001] [Accepted: 04/10/2002] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crude extracts of Chelidonium majus, and also purified compounds derived from crude extracts of this plant, have been reported to exhibit anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties both in vitro and in vivo. Chelidonium is a homeopathic drug routinely used against various liver disorders including cancer in humans. Two potencies of Chelidonium (Ch-30, Ch-200) have been tested for their possible anti-tumor and enzyme modulating activities in liver and anti-clastogenic effects during p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice compared to suitable controls. METHODS Several cytogenetic and enzymatic protocols were used at three fixation intervals; at 60 days, 90 days and 120 days of treatment. Different sets of healthy mice were fed: i) hepatocarcinogen, p-DAB plus phenobarbital (PB), ii) only PB, iii) neither p-DAB nor PB (normal control). One set of mice fed with p-DAB plus PB was also fed Ch-30 (iv) and another set Ch-200 (v). All standard currently used methods were adopted for cytogenetical preparations and for the enzyme assays. RESULTS All group (i) mice developed tumors in liver at all fixation intervals, while none of group (ii) and (iii) mice developed any tumors. About 40% mice in group (iv) and group (v) did not show tumor nodules in their liver. Feeding of Chelidonium to group (iv) and (v) mice reduced genotoxic effects to a significant extent (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The homeopathic drug Chelidonium exhibited anti-tumor and anti-genotoxic activities and also favorably modulated activities of some marker enzymes. Microdoses of Chelidonium may be effectively used in combating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surjyo Jyoti Biswas
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741 235, W.B., India
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Datta SS, Mallick PP, Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh AAR. Comparative efficacy of two microdoses of a potentized homoeopathic drug, Cadmium Sulphoricum, in reducing genotoxic effects produced by cadmium chloride in mice: a time course study. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2001; 1:9. [PMID: 11737881 PMCID: PMC60662 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-1-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2001] [Accepted: 11/23/2001] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium poisoning in the environment has assumed an alarming problem in recent years. Effective antimutagenic agents which can reverse or combat cadmium induced genotoxicity in mice have not yet been reported. Therefore, in the present study, following the homeopathic principle of "like cures like", we tested the efficacy of two potencies of a homeopathic drug, Cadmium Sulphoricum (Cad Sulph), in reducing the genotoxic effects of Cadmium chloride in mice. Another objective was to determine the relative efficacy of three administrative modes, i.e. pre-, post- and combined pre and post-feeding of the homeopathic drugs. For this, healthy mice, Mus musculus, were intraperitoneally injected with 0.008% solution of CdCl2 @ 1 ml/100 gm of body wt (i.e. 0.8 mcg/gm of bw), and assessed for the genotoxic effects through such studies as chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE), mitotic index (MI) and sperm head anomaly (SHA), keeping suitable succussed alcohol fed (positive) and CdCl2 untreated normal (negative) controls. The CdCl2 treated mice were divided into 3 subgroups, which were orally administered with the drug prior to, after and both prior to and after injection of CdCl2 at specific fixation intervals and their genotoxic effects were analyzed. RESULTS While the CA, MNE and SHA were reduced in the drug fed series as compared to their respective controls, the MI showed an apparent increase. The combined pre- and post-feeding of Cad Sulph showed maximum reduction of the genotoxic effects. CONCLUSIONS Both Cad Sulph-30 and 200 were able to combat cadmium induced genotoxic effects in mice and that combined pre- and post-feeding mode of administration was found to be most effective in reducing the genotoxic effect of CdCl2 followed by the post-feeding mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapna S Datta
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal, India
| | - Palash P Mallick
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal, India
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Kundu SN, Mitra K, Khuda Bukhsh AR. Efficacy of a potentized homeopathic drug (Arsenicum-Aalbum-30) in reducing cytotoxic effects produced by arsenic trioxide in mice: IV. Pathological changes, protein profiles, and content of DNA and RNA. Complement Ther Med 2000; 8:157-65. [PMID: 11068345 DOI: 10.1054/ctim.2000.0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine if the potentized homeopathic drug Arsenicum Album-30 can help restore the damage produced in protein profiles, DNA and RNA contents in liver and testis as a result of arsenic treatment in mice. DESIGN Sets of mice were injected with arsenic trioxide, one set was fed with Ars. Alb-30, another with Alcohol-30 and the final set was fed neither. The gel electrophoretic protein profiles and DNA and RNA contents in these three sets were studied. METHODS Protein profiles were studied by SDS-PAGE method; the DNA and RNA contents were assayed by the standard methods through diphenylamine and orcinol reactions respectively. RESULTS arsenic trioxide injection produced some pathological conditions, drastic changes (mainly reduction of protein bands) in protein sub-fractions, reduced DNA and RNA contents in both liver and testis; Ars. Alb-30-fed arsenic-intoxicated mice showed revival and restoration in both liver and testis as revealed by gel patterns and quantitative assay of DNA and RNA. CONCLUSION Efficacy of the homeopathic drug Ars. Alb-30 in reducing arsenic-induced damage to protein and nucleic acids is substantiated and the mechanism of action of the homeopathic drug through expression of regulatory genes inferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Kundu
- Department of Zoology, Kalyani University, Kalyani, India
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