Mother Tincture Research Articles

High-performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprinting and antioxidant study of Mangifera indica mother tincture

Background Mangifera indica is widely used in the Homoeopathy systems of medicine. In Homoeopathy, Mang. ind. is one of the indicated medicines for passive haemorrhages, uterine, renal and gastric problems. Mangiferin is a xanthanoid present in leaves, stalks barks, peel and kernel of the mango plant. Mangiferin has antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiaging, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and analgesic properties. Therefore in the current study, we have tried to identify mangiferin and its antioxidant properties in Mang. ind. homoeopathic mother tincture. Objective The aim of the present study wais to identify Mangiferin, Total Phenol Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) in Mang. ind. homoeopathic mother tincture. Materials and Methods Mangiferin (A) was used as a primary reference standard and in sample In-house prepared mother tincture (B) and two different market samples (C and D) were used. An authentic sample of Mang. ind. bark was received from the Centre of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy, Emerald, Tamil Nadu, India for preparation of in house mother tincture. Results We have successfully identified Mangiferin in Mang. ind. in-house prepared mother tincture (B) and two market samples (C and D) by HPTLC. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) was determined by Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Conclusion High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography study confirms the presence of Mangiferin whereas U. V spectroscopy proves to be a useful tool for in-vitro antioxidant assay study.

Box-Behnken design avenue for development and validation of high-performance thin-layer chromatography method for estimation of rutin in Hemidesmus indicus.

The aim of this study was to determine the content of rutin in Hemidesmus indicus and to optimize the high-performance thin-layer chromatography method. The method was validated in compliance with the International Council for Harmonisation guidelines Q2 (R1) for parameters such as linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, limit of detection, and limit of quantitation. A Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology has been used to investigate the impact of independent variables on the response. Three independent variables, mobile phase composition (% v/v), mobile phase volume (mL), and duration of saturation (min), were studied. Rutin was verified, and its content was determined using a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method with good linearity within the range of 200-1000 ng spot-1 with r2 = 0.9998 and correlation coefficient with calibration curve equation y = 0.0297x + 0.0001. The average percentage recovery values varied from 99.03 to 101.15 and 98.88 to 100.12%, respectively, for in-house and marketed mother tincture). The peak area determination at three different concentration levels shows low values of percentage relative standard deviation (<2%) for inter-day (0.04-0.06) and intra-day (0.04-0.05) precision of rutin. The average content of rutin in extract and marketed mother tincture was 229 ± 0.57 and 210 ± 0.57 μg g-1 . The proposed method was simple, precise, and accurate for the determination of rutin with frequent quality control assessment of H. indicus.

“IN VITRO STUDY OF HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE SARSAPARILLA Q, 6C, 12C, 30C, 200C, 1M AS AN INHIBITOR OF CALCIUM OXALATE AND CALCIUMPHOSPHATE CRYSTALLISATION.”

Background: Around 12% of world population has been infected by renal stone disease which has multiphase etiological factors with high recurrence rate. Thus, in order to reduce the recurrence rate, use of homoeopathic intervention can be the most effective alternative option and Sarsaparilla is one of the frequently prescribed medicines by homoeopath in renal stones. Aim: To nd out the inhibitory action of homoeopathic medicine Sarsaparilla Q, 6C, 12C, 30C, 200C, 1M on calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystallization by in vitro study. Methodology: In vitro crystallisation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate was carried out to evaluate effectiveness of Homoeopathic Medicine Sarsaparilla as an inhibitor. Calcium Oxalate crystallisation assay was experimented by using JASCO-UV/VISIBLE-630 Spectrophotometer. Slope of Nucleation and Aggregation phases is calculated using linear regression analysis and percentage of inhibition was calculated. Calcium phosphate crystallisation inhibition by Sarsaparilla was calculated by measuring concentration of calcium and phosphate ions, using Digital Photo colorimeter by Trinder and Gomeri method respectively. Antioxidant activity of Sarsaparilla Mother Tincture and potencies was measured by DPPH free radical scavenging assay by spectrophotometer. Result: Maximum inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallisation has been noticed in Sarsaparilla Mother Tincture and 1M potency. While Sarsaparilla 30C showing maximum inhibition of Calcium Phosphate crystallisation. Sarsaparilla mother tincture was able to decolorize during DPPH assay in which Inhibition % was decreased as potency increased (Q&gt;30C&gt;1M). Conclusion: The present in vitro study has shown potential role of Homoeopathic medicine Sarsaparilla as an inhibitor of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystallisation.

Evaluating Subtle Field Imprints in Water by Droplet Evaporation Method

Abstract&#x0D; Background: Even though water is regarded as something long understood and explained by conventional science – many open-minded researchers know that it still hides many mysteries (water clusters, coherent domains, so-called memory, etc.). Many of these mysteries come to fore in ultra-high dilution (UHD) experiments and practices, where usually not even one molecule of the originating substances is left. Mostly, they can be tackled only by using the droplet evaporation method (DEM).1 &#x0D; Aim: One of the hypotheses of water memory suggests that through UHD (dilutions, shaking) the field of a substance is stably impressed into water. If this is true than we should be able to imprint also a field itself - not originating from a certain substance, but from other sources. Such imprint should be revealed by an appropriate research method.&#x0D; Method: The DEM consists of monitoring dried water drops by dark field microscopy. It was discovered in the previous century by Ruth Kübler, a German artist, and further developed by Bernd-Helmut Kröplin, Minnie Hein, Berthold Heusel M. A. and Georg Schröcker. It has also been used to research the still controversial special characteristics of ultra-high diluted aqueous solutions.2 It has been proved capable of demonstrating differences in subtle influences of an UHD (around 10-47 M, practically “pure” water) of As2O3 on common wheat seeds. This method is therefore, capable of transferring certain, not yet fully understood or generally accepted subtle physical characteristicsof the solution to the remnant patterns after drop evaporation.3, 4&#x0D; We used DEM to evaluate experiments on impressing the subtle field of five bioenergy healers and two so called “informed” objects (a glass and an “energy” card) into mineral or spring water with well-known characteristics. In all these experiments we also used control water that was of the same origin, but placed in a separate room. The DEM images were analyzed by special computer programs and statistically evaluated. No mother tincture of any kind was used.&#x0D; Results: The results demonstrate that even such subtle fields can leave stable and reproducible imprints in water - made visually accessible by the remnant patterns after drop evaporation. The irradiated water samples were statistically different from the control. This difference can usually be observed even by a naked eye.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; These results have several implications. They confirm as follows:&#x0D; a) water memory – the main background of UHD effects,&#x0D; b) the possibility to imprint the fields into water,&#x0D; c) the existence of subtle fields not yet generally recognized by physical community and&#x0D; d) the capability of DEM to express the imprints.

Homeopathic drug standardization through biological evaluations: An untrodden avenue

Background: There is a dearth of chemico-analytical or instrumental methods for standardization and quality control of higher dilutions of homeopathic drugs. &#x0D; Aim: This review highlights the challenges in standardization of anti-inflammatory homeopathic drugs and suggests a battery of biological assays for their standardization.&#x0D; Methods: We retrieved a total 57 scientific reports from the experimental studies and scientific reviews published between January 1999 and June 2014 related to anti-inflammatory homeopathic drugs and their high dilutions. These comprised of 18 reports on preclinical evaluation, 15 on source materials, 9 on isolated constituents and 15 studies on in-vitro experiments. Few recent citations which supported the initial studies were added later during the compilation of the manuscript. &#x0D; Conclusion: Standardization and quality control of homeopathic mother tinctures and high dilutions warrants an urgent attention. As biological activities are observed to be attributed to the high dilutions which are practically devoid of active ingredients, their standardization may be done through the suggested battery of biological investigations. It is suggested that the current methods of standardization of homeopathic drugs need to be upgraded to include sensitive, reproducible and relevant biological assays so that the end users are assured of the quality, efficacy, and safety of homeopathic dilutions.

Homoeopathic treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: an open randomized multicentric placebo controlled clinical trial

Homoeopathic treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: an open randomized multicentric placebo controlled clinical trial

UHD, electronic homeopathy and organisms – do they share a common language?

Introduction&#x0D; Homeopathy, at least in its UHD aspect, proves that the biological function of molecules (their “message”) can be transmitted from some original material substance through pure water to living systems (1). Even if in general this transmission is based on serial dilutions of mother tinctures, experiments demonstrate it can be realized also via modified environmental EM fields, i.e. through the air as is known from the experiments performed by Montagnier (2), Endler and our group (3). It is also known as electronic homeopathy and is capable of a very similar achievement to UHD homeopathy without any chemical continuity between mother tincture and the final informed water. Quantum field theory developed by Preparata and Del Giudice brings theoretical ground to understanding and explaining this, for contemporary physicists, seemingly impossible phenomenon (4). Namely, it is not only that molecular information can be transmitted and stored in pure (UHD) water, but also that it can provoke changes in organisms.&#x0D; Theoretical model&#x0D; According to quantum electrodynamics, the interactions between an original substance, water and an organism are enabled by coherent domains (CDs). Many experiments corroborate the capacity of CDs to get entangled (phase locking) with the complex field of mother tincture’s substance(s) and consequently to encode the message of the tincture. However this is not the end of the process; this code must later be decoded from the side of the organism (and it seems that it can be even decoded by chemical systems, according to Elia (5)) and make an appropriate reaction. We assume that in case of organisms the endogenous coherent EM field first proposed by Fröhlich is responsible for the decoding; however a homeostatic energy barrier must be broken. Many experiments confirm that even physiological states, not only chemical messages ((6, 7) can be transmitted through the same channel.&#x0D; The language of CDs and other EM coherent modes is not violent – the message of a molecule is presented in a way that provokes a reaction but cannot force the organism into a pathological or dead state. Therefore we can speak of a subtle (bio)chemistry and pharmacology, based on coherent modes and using a universal common language understandable to molecules and organisms.&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D;  Chemicals, water coherent domains, endogenous coherent oscillations of organisms and physiological responses must share a common denominator;&#x0D;  quantum field oscillations and their wave structures could represent the denominator and therefore the active molecular information;&#x0D;  potentization somewhat sharpens these wave structures, gives them more penetrative power, which makes higher potencies (dilutions) generally more effective – as they must break the homeostatic barrier of organismic endogenous EM field.&#x0D;  understanding the language implied in the first point as well as deeper mechanisms of sharpening the molecular information will enable us to enter a new era of subtle (bio)chemistry and pharmacology, surpassing not only contemporary pharmaceutical practice, but also the homeopathic one.&#x0D; &#x0D; References&#x0D; [1] P. Bellavite, M. Marzotto, D. Olioso, E. Moratti, A. Conforti, High-dilution effects revisited. 1. Physicochemical aspects. Homeopathy. 103(1):4-21 (2014).&#x0D; [2] Monatagnier et al., DNA waves and water, arXiv:1012.5166v1 [q-bio.OT] (2010).&#x0D; [3] I. Jerman, R. Ružič, R. Krašovec, M. Škarja, L. Mogilnicki, Electrical transfer of molecule information into water, its storage and bioeffects on plants and bacteria. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 24(3): 341-354 (2005).&#x0D; [4] E. Del Guidice, P. R. Spinetti, A. Tedeschi, Water Dynamics at the Root of Metamorphosis in Living Organisms. Water. 2010, 2, 566-568; doi:10.3390/w2030566.&#x0D; [5] Elia V. in Niccoli M. 1999. Thermodynamics of extremely diluted aqueous solutions. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 879: 241-248.&#x0D; [6] C. W. Smith, Quanta and Coherence Effects in Water and Living Systems. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 10(1):69-78. (2004).&#x0D; [7] A. Foletti, J. Pokorny, Biophysical approach to low back pain: a pilot report. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 34 (2): 156-159 (2015).

Vibrational and Raman spectroscopy provide further evidence in support of free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength underlying difference in two more drugs at ultra high dilutions

Objective: To confirm that free water molecules and hydrogen bond strength of OH groups underlie difference between two homeopathic drugs at ultrahigh dilution (UHD).&#x0D; Method: FTIR and Laser Raman spectra of UHDs of X-ray and Magnetis Poli Ambo were obtained in the wave number regions of 2400-4000 cm-1 and 2400-4200 cm-1, respectively. Mother tincture (MT) were prepared by exposing ethanol water to X-radiation for X-ray and magnetic field for Magnetis. Spectra of the reference water and the three UHDs of Ethanol were also taken. All the samples were in water-ethanol solution in which the ethanol content was 25%. For FTIR the difference spectrum (absorbance of a UHD minus absorbance of reference water) was obtained after normalization of the spectrum at 3410 cm-1. For Raman spectra the intensity ratio at vibration frequencies between 3200 and 3420 cm-1 (R1), and that between 3620 and 3420 cm-1 (R2), were calculated for each UHD. The intensity at 3600 cm-1 in the difference spectra (FTIR) represents the number of free water molecules in UHDs. R2 values in Raman scattering suggest the same thing.&#x0D; Results: The data in both cases follow almost a similar pattern of difference among the UHDs studied here. For example, X-ray: FTIR 14

A SINGLE BLIND RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON EFFECTIVENESS OF RUBIA TINCTORUM Q IN ANAEMIA AMONG COLLEGE GOING FEMALE STUDENTS OF SEMI URBAN AREAS IN SANGAREDDY

Anaemia is a condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity of hemoglobin. Anaemia diminishes the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. Patients with anaemia may feel tired, fatigue easily, appear pale, develop palpitations,and become short of breath.Rubia tinctorum mother tincture is a homeopathic mother tincture that is indicated for the treatment of anaemia and undernourished conditions. Rubia tinctorum mother tincture, has been found to be effective in treating anaemia, kidney and bladder calculi.This project, help to know the efficacy of Rubia tinctorum mother tincture in treating anaemia.

Standardization of Homoeopathic Mother Tincture of Strychnous nux vomica with the help of High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and correlation of its alkaloid markers with its Toxicological action

Background: Chromatography is one of the important laboratory technique in which the components of a mixture are separated on an adsorbent in order to analyze, identify, purify and quantify a mixture. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)is used to support the identity of a compound in a mixture when the Rf of a compound is compared with the Rf of a known compound. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography is a sophisticated and automated form of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The procedure simultaneously processes the sample and standard that results in better analytical precision and accuracy at a faster pace. Pharmacological/ Toxicological action of Nux Vomica is because of its active principles present in the seeds namely strychnine, brucine etc. This research paper aims to corelate the active principles present in Nux Vomica with the toxicological action of the same. Materials and Methods: 1. Standard Nux Vomica mother tincture was tested for its alkaloid markers and its correlation with the toxicological action was studied. 2. Analysis of the mother tincture was done using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. 3. Stationary phase consisted of TLC Aluminium sheets with silica gel 60 F253 pre-coated layer (20cm x 10cm), thickness-0.2mm, no. of tracks-18, band length-6mm. 4. Mobile Phase consisted of Chloroform: Methanol (9.5:0.5). 5. The plate was developed in developing chamber and observed under U.V. Light. Results: Colours seen on the HPTLC Plates of samples are greenwhich corresponds to strychnine, dark blue which corresponds to brucine, orange to alkaloids fluorescent green to sterols and pink to fatty acids which are evident on the chromatogram. Conclusion: Therapeutic action of Nux Vomica as noted in Homoeopathic Materia Medica is because of the active principles like strychnine, brucine, alkaloids, sterols, fatty acids present in it which is evident from the chromatogram.

Biological activity and phytochemical analysis of homeopathic preparations of Viscum album L

Several in vitro and in vivo studies investigated the biological properties of mistletoe preparations [1-4]. In Europe, where phytochemical constituents of aqueous Viscum album extracts were previously described, the most widespread and common form of mistletoe is the white-berried species (Viscum album) [5]. The aim of the present study was to analyze the biological activity and phytochemical features of different Viscum album ssp mother tinctures collected in 2 different harvesting periods. &#x0D; &#x0D; Leaves, stems and berries of Viscum album samples were subjected to ethanolic extraction (45% v/v) following the homeopathic pharmacopeia [6,7]. The mother tinctures (MT) prepared were: V. album (from 3 host trees Malus domestica, Quercus sp, Ulmus sp), V. album ssp. austriacum (host tree Pinus sylvestris) and V. album ssp. abietis (host tree Abies pectinata). All samples were collected at Höfli farm (Switzerland) in July and August and subjected to chemical analysis by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). Tumor (Yoshida and Molt4) and non-tumor cells (Ma104) were incubated with MT (1; 0.1; 0.01%) for 4, 24 and 48 hours at 37ºC. Proliferation was indirectly measured using WST-1 (tumor cells) and MTT (non-tumor cells). All cells (1.5 x 104/100 μL) were plated in triplicate in 96-well plates. The cell proliferation inhibition rate was calculated as percent inhibition relative to control cells treated with the MT solvent (45% ethanol v/v). Apoptosis/necrosis was measured using 2 x 105 cells incubated with Annexin V-FITC and 7-AAD at room temperature in the dark, and analyzed in flow cytometer [2]. Antimicrobial activity was assessed for Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus following the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute manuals [8-9] and compared with 45% ethanol v/v (MT solvent).&#x0D; &#x0D; The chromatographic assays of MT samples showed phenolic acids and lignans as main chemical classes identified. WST-1 and MTT experiments revealed different antitumor potential of MT. In general, Yoshida cells were more sensitive than Molt4. The maximal cytotoxic effect with 100% of mortality was attained by incubation of Yoshida and Molt-4 cells with 1% MT of V. album ssp. abietis (harvested in July) for 4 hours. Preliminary results with non-tumor cells indicate lower cytotoxicity compared to tumor cells. Annexin V/7ADD showed predominance of late apoptotic/necrotic events after 4 and 24 hours of incubation with all MT. The antimicrobial assay showed that MT of Viscum album ssp. austriacum (host tree Pinus sylvestris) exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration 7.25 mg/mL for the 2 tested bacterial strains. &#x0D; &#x0D; The results of the present study suggest that Viscum album samples prepared according to the homeopathic pharmacopeia exhibit promising biological activities in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of potentiation will be assessed and compared to non-potentiated samples in future experiments. Therefore, the present study contributes with data on the main chemical components in homeopathic preparations of Viscum album, drawing attention to the relevance of extract solvent, seasonal aspects, host tree and harvested parts of plant harvested to the quality of thee mother tinctures.

DSC reveals variation in enthalpy associated with free water molecules in water-ethanol solution exposed to x-rays and magnetic field

Aqueous ethanol is the standard medium for all drugs used in homeopathy. X-ray and Magnetispoli ambo are 2 homeopathic drugs prepared by exposure of aqueous ethanol to x-rays and static magnetic field, respectively.Mother tinctures (MT)weresuccessively diluted with solvent 1:100 and succussed in several steps to prepare centesimal potencies 8 cH, 14 cH and 32 cH. The solvent was processed in the same way. Although identical in chemical composition (0.03 molar ethanol) and water content (96%) these preparations like the Mother tinctures and three potencies of X-ray and Magnetispoli amboexhibit different therapeutic pathological effects. Potency 8cH of each preparation was diluted with water to reach concentrations 4%, 20%, 40% and 80% ethanol. The aim of the study was to establish whether these potencies exhibited variation in free water molecules. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of MT and potencies exhibited almost similar freezing and melting points, but they remarkably differed in freezing and melting enthalpy and free water molecules. The various dilutions of potency 8cH exhibited variation in enthalpies and free water molecules, being this variation independent of the amount of water added. We conclude that exposure of aqueous ethanol to x-rays and magnetic field, with subsequent dilution and agitation induces changes in the solvent involving free water molecules. All X-ray and Magnetispoli ambo potencies were analyzed by means of Raman spectroscopy for free water molecules. The results were compared to the ones of DSC, being more or less similar.

Viscum album homeopathic tinctures: phytochemical profile and antiproliferative activity

Background: The mistletoe Viscum album L. (Santalaceae) is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on different host trees. Although V. album antitumor activity is mainly associated with aqueous preparations, recently we showed antitumoral effects of homeopathic V. album tinctures containing also the ethanolic soluble compounds [1]. &#x0D; Aims: to analyze the phytochemical profile of different Viscum album homeopathic tinctures as well as their in vitro effects in tumoral cells. &#x0D; Methodology: The Viscum album samples (leaves, stems and berries) were collected in 2016 and 2017 (summer), and in 2018 (winter) at different locations in Switzerland. After harvest, they were immediately submitted to ethanolic extraction (45% V/V) using homeopathic methodology [2, 3]. The following mother tinctures (MT) were prepared: V. album ssp. album growing on Malus domestica, Quercus sp. and Ulmus sp., V. album ssp. austriacum from Pinus sylvestris, and V. album ssp. abietis from Abies alba. The homeopathic dynamizations (1-3dH; 6, 12, 30dH) were prepared with the respective MT. The phytochemical profiles were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectroscopy, HPLC and Thin Layer Chromatography. MT prepared in 2016 were also submitted to the Pfeiffer’s circular chromatography (PCC) [4]. The proliferation assay was performed by WST-1 [5] after incubation of tumoral cells (Yoshida and Molt-4) with non-dynamized (0.5 to 0.05% v/v) and dynamized MT. Apoptosis/necrosis was measured by flow cytometer (FACS) using Annexin V-FITC [5], and the cellular morphological aspects were analysed by light microscope. &#x0D; Results and Discussion: The chemical analyses of MT identified the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, as principal compounds. Besides, the HPLC indicated higher viscotoxin concentration in the summer harvest of Abies alba, Malus domestica and Quercus (897, 475, 219 ?g/mL), respectively. The PCC methodology permitted the MT differentiation. The higher levels of cellular mortality were attribute to Abies alba, Malus domestica and Quercus (p

Proteins as targets for high dilutions of drugs: Interaction between ?-amylase and mercuric chloride.

Background: High dilutions of drugs, used in homeopathy, are usually applied by oral route or foliar spray. These dilutions first come in contact with membrane or circulating proteins. Ultra low doses of mercuric chloride, called potencies, promote activity of diastase or ?-amylase in terms of breakdown of starch, a polysaccharide into a disaccharide maltose in a cell-free medium in test tubes. Merc cor or HgCl2 in high doses inhibits the enzyme activity. &#x0D; Aims: To see (i) whether the high and ultra low dose effects of HgCl2 involve different binding sites of the enzyme and (ii) to find an explanation for the low dose effect of HgCl2 in spite of absence of its original molecules. &#x0D; Methodology: Merc cor mother tincture (147 mM HgCl2) in distilled water was used undiluted in this experiment. Merc cor 200c and 1000c were prepared from the mother tincture (MT) by successive dilution with water 1:100 followed by succussion in 200 and 1000 steps, respectively, and finally preserved in 90% EtOH. These potencies and blank 90% ethanol, were diluted with deionized, distilled (DD) water 1:1000 to minimize ethanol content in test solutions. Each test solution or control was mixed with the enzyme 1:10 just before experiment. The control consisted of DD water. An isothermal calorimetry (ITC) instrument was used to measure the interaction between soluble starch and ?-amylase mixed with each potency (200c/1000c) of Merc cor, its mother tincture, ethanol and control. ITC is a thermodynamic technique which helps in measuring directly very small amount of heat evolved during chemical reaction. Soluble starch 90 µM was injected into 300 µl of 15µM ?-amylase at 2 µl / injection. Twenty injections, one every 2 min, were given. The enzyme substrate interaction in terms of heat released (exothermic) or absorbed (endothermic) were monitored by the ITC instrument. All ITC measurements were calculated and analyzed statistically by an in-built software Origin 7.&#x0D; Results and discussion: The data are presented in figures. While Merc cor MT shows endothermic reaction, all its potencies, ethanol and water control show exothermic reactions. There is wide variation in enthalpy (?H), entropy (?S), binding constant (K) and Gibbs free energy change (?G) among the treatments with Merc cor MT, potencies, ethanol and also control. The results indicate that Merc cor MT and its potencies act on different binding sites of the enzyme. The variation in thermodynamic parameters suggest difference in binding interaction between the drug solutions and the enzyme. This in turn influences the enzyme substrate interaction as reported in earlier studies. The potencies are virtually water modified by the starting substance HgCl2.&#x0D; Conclusion: The mother tincture and potencies of mercuric chloride produce different effects on the enzyme substrate interaction. Potencies show wide variation in ?H, ?S, K and ?G values. It appears from the results that the drugs used in homeopathy produce dual action on proteins. At high doses they act on a binding site(s) but at ultra low doses they act on a different binding site(s). Proteins in an organism may serve as targets for initiation of action of homeopathic potencies.

Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum Administration on Wistar Rat Pregnancy: Biochemical and Histological Aspects

Introduction: Bryophyllum pinnatum is widely used in folk medicine. It has neuropharmacological, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects, among others. It also acts on uterine contractility. It is prescribed by practitioners of anthroposophic medicine for preterm labor, insomnia, and emotional disorders, and has other potential uses in obstetrics. As all drugs currently used in preterm labor have side effects, new tocolytic agents remain an area of active research. Objective: To evaluate the effect of B. pinnatum mother tincture (MT) on albino rats and their offspring throughout pregnancy from a biochemical and histological standpoint. Methods: Longitudinal, prospective, randomized controlled bioassay. This is the second stage of a trial that investigated 60 animals distributed across six equal groups: controls C1 and C2, which received 1 and 25 times the vehicle dose (30% ethanol), B1 and B2 (1- and 25-fold doses of B. pinnatum MT), and B3 and B4 (which received 50- and 100-fold doses of B. pinnatum concentrate). At this stage, blood chemistry parameters (glucose, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen) were measured in dams, as well as histological aspects of dam liver, kidney, placenta, and uterine tissue and fetal liver, kidney, heart, and brain. Results: No differences were found between group B1 (therapeutic dose) and its control C1 in relation to glucose, AST, ALT, and creatinine. Group B2 exhibited lower glucose levels than groups C1, B3, and B4. There was no difference in AST across groups. Groups B3 and B4 exhibited higher ALT levels than groups C1 and B1. Groups B1–B4 exhibited higher urea nitrogen levels than group C1. Creatinine levels were higher in groups B2 and B3 than group C1. On morphological evaluation, fatty infiltration of the liver was observed in the alcoholic vehicle control groups (C1 and C2). Conclusions: Daily administration of B. pinnatum at therapeutic doses (group B1) to pregnant albino rats appears to be safe, with reduced glucose at dose B2, elevated ALT at doses B3 and B4, and increased urea at doses B1 to B4 and creatinine at B2 and B3, but never exceeding the normal reference range. It was not associated with histological changes in specimens of the maternal or fetal structures of interest.

Renal calculi and its homoeopathic management by using rare mother tincture

Renal calculi are the most common condition in day-to-day practice and our homoeopathic mother tinctures acts wonderfully in both acute as well as the chronic renal calculi. Acute as well as chronic pain can be controlled by homoeopathic mother tincture like Ocimum canum, Pareira brava, UVA URSI etc.

Metabolomic analysis of Viscum album L homeopathic tinctures and antitumor studies in 3D spheroid models

Background The antitumoral efficacy of aqueous Viscum album extracts is attributed to the presence of lectins and viscotoxins. However, previous studies demonstrated an antitumoral activity of European V. album ethanolic homeopathic tinctures (VAHT) prepared according to homeopathic methodology. Aims To investigate the seasonal influences (summer and winter) in the metabolomic profile of V. album ssp. homeopathic mother tinctures (VAHT) and to evaluate the antitumoral activity of some VAHT in 3D tumor spheroid models. Methodology The following VAHT were prepared by ethanolic maceration: V. album ssp. album growing on Malus domestica, Quercus sp. and Ulmus sp.; V. album ssp. austriacum from Pinus sylvestris; V. album ssp. abietis from Abies alba. Chemical analyses were performed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Data was submitted to multivariate statistical analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA) in Metaboanalyst platform. The antitumor potential of VAHT (0.5% v/v) was conducted in 3D tumor spheroid models (MDA-MB-231 cell line) by MTT for 72 hours. Results and discussion The PCA analysis explained 40% of data variation and clustered VAHT samples into 3 groups, emphasizing the chemical similarity between the botanical subspecies of V. album. Some key compounds were mainly responsible for this separation: pinobankasin hexose-pentose (V. album ssp. abietis); citric acid (V. album ssp. austriacum); malic acid (V. album ssp. album). The chemical differences among summer and winter samples, detected by PLSDA, were related to the Viscum album host trees. A significant reduction of 50% and 41% (p

Anti-Fungal Activity of Cressa cretica, Leptadenia pyrotechnica and Pulicaria crispa, Indigenous Plants of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

Background: Fungal infections have always remained a problem and they are getting worse with the passage of each year due to their resistance against available antibiotics. Natural ways of treatment with homeopathic medicines made of mother tinctures of plants have no reported side effects and have been proved effective against many bacterial and fungal infections. Materials &amp; Methods: Preparation of mother tinctures of plants Cressa cretica, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, and Pulicaria crispa was done and used to evaluate the anti-fungal potential of these plants against potentially pathogenic fungal species like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ustus, and Candida albicans by agar disc diffusion method. Each tincture was evaluated at 0.25 ml, 0.5 ml, and 1 ml volume per disc and zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters and compared with commercial drug Fluconazole (2 mg/ml), which was used as standard. Results: The results showed the satisfactory anti-fungal activity of these plants in comparison to the standard drug Fluconazole. The ratio of anti-fungal activity of Cressa cretica measured as the zone of growth inhibition of these cultures against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ustus, and Candida albicans was 24 mm / 27 mm, 30mm / 28 mm, 23 mm/ 30 mm, and 32 mm/ 30 mm, respectively. In the case of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, the mother tincture’s antifungal activity was 32 mm / 27 mm, 30 mm / 28 mm, 17 mm/ 30 mm, and 24 mm/ 30 mm, respectively. In the case of our third plant Pulicaria crispa, anti-fungal activity was found to be 23 mm/ 27 mm, 26 mm/ 28 mm, 26 mm / 30 mm and 24 mm/ 30 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Our study proved that the mother tincture of these plants could be a potential new therapy to treat fungal infections and has the potential to rule out fungal problems. Further research using the mother tincture of these plants against other fungal species has the potential to prove them a safer and widespread anti-fungal homeopathic medicine.

In vitro evaluation of the anti-pathogenic activity of Okoubaka aubrevillei on the human gastrointestinal tract.

Background Okoubaka aubrevillei is used in traditional West African medicine and in homeopathy for treatment and prevention of several gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of repeated doses of two Okoubaka products (10 % ethanolic tincture, mother tincture (MT); 3 rd decimal potency, 3X) on the microbial activity of physiological human colon microbiota using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME ® ) and to investigate any preventive effect against infections with diarrhea-causing pathogens. Methods Upon inoculation with fecal microbiota from a healthy donor, 4 parallel proximal colon compartments of the SHIME were treated either with Okoubaka MT, Okoubaka 3X, ethanol control or blank control for 7 days. Using the Okoubaka -adapted microbial community from SHIME, 48 h challenge tests were performed with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Salmonella enteritidis in 4 different doses (10 3 –10 8 colony forming units as typical in vivo infectious doses). Pathogen concentrations, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched SCFA production were measured in triplicate at 0, 24 and 48 h. Results In the challenge tests, both Okoubaka products were able to restrict the colonization of ETEC and Salmonella at 3 of the 4 pathogen doses (except the highest doses), with a stronger anti-pathogenic effect for MT, which included a reduction of 2.0 log-units of ETEC (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 log-units of Salmonella (p < 0.0001). Total SCFA levels remained unaffected, but butyrate increased during the first 24 h (p < 0.0001 for ETEC), accompanied by decreased acetate production. Conclusion We observed in vitro a systemic activating effect of Okoubaka on intestinal microbiome resistance, which resulted in an anti-pathogenic effect, especially against ETEC. We hypothesize that the mode of action in vivo is also based on systemic regulative effects.

English

As general awareness for using herbal drugs in today&rsquo;s health practice is increasing, the world is endorsing extraordinary increase in the consumption of herbal products. This increase in the demand has led to consumers&rsquo; dissatisfaction due to substandard products, making the herbal market risky. There is need to set standard that will help to evaluate herbal drugs to ensure formulation of high quality products. The present investigation is conducted to evaluate the physiochemical measures of accessible mother tinctures from Aconitum napellus, Kalmia latifolia, Crataegus monogyna, Atropa belladonna and Digitalis purpurea. Mother tinctures were collected from five manufacturers in Pakistan and evaluated for physiochemical parameters, % alcohol contents, weight in dry/ml, % non-volatile matter and pH.&nbsp; World synchronization, following WHO specific guidelines for herbal products standardization is needed. Also, regulation should be endorsed to control herbal market adoption of WHO guideline. Key words: Herbal drugs, standardization, quality control, Aconitum napellus, Kalmia latifolia, Crataegus monogyna, Atropa Belladonna, Digitalis purpurea.