NMR analysis: potential and challenges as a homeopathic basic research tool

Homeopathic ultra-diluted solutions surpass the threshold of matter dispersion and, consequently, their chemical constitution is similar to inert solvent. Nevertheless, randomized clinical trials have shown that the clinical effects of these homeopathic medicines are superior to placebo1. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most promising techniques to detect physicochemical alterations induced by homeopathic procedures2,3. Aims: To investigate T2 NMR relaxation times of Zincum metallicumand lactose dynamized samples. Methodology: Zincum metallicumsamples were ground until 6dH using lactose as an excipient. Subsequently, these samples were dynamized with ultrapure water to produce 8dH, 9dH, 10dH,and 11dH. Lactose dynamized samples (6dH-11dH) were used as control. Aliquots of 540µl of each sample were diluted with 60µl of deuterated water (D2O) in 5mm tubes. The analyses were carried out in Bruker Ascend TM 500MHZ spectrometer at 288 K. Results and discussion: The Zincum metallicumand lactose T2 relaxation times were very similar, except for Zincum metallicum8dH, which presented a value of 1.226 in comparison to 1.036 of lactose 8dH. The following T2 values were registered: 1.287 -9dH; 1.413 -10dH; 1.467 -11dH, and 1.303 -9dH; 1.400 ­10dH; 1.350 -11dH, for Zincum metallicumand lactose, respectively. The differences detected in 8dH samples are probably due to the presence of lactose in the first dilution step, in which 1 part of the 6dH triturated mixture was diluted in 9 parts of water, to prepare 7dH. Following this homeopathic procedure, 8dH solutions remain around 1% of lactose which could be influenced by the T2 values registered.Conclusion: These preliminary results showed the possibility to apply the NMR technique to evaluate the influence of dynamization in the relaxation parameters. Further studies should be carried out with other potencies and/or other homeopathic substances, in addition to the evaluation of T1 and the T1/T2 parameters, as previously described by other groups.

Viscumalbum L. homeopathic mother tinctures: metabolome and antitumor activity

Viscum album L. is a semi-parasitic plant with antitumor activity attributed to theaqueous extracts. However, European V. album ethanolic extracts (VAE) have also demonstrated invitro activity in tumor models. Aims: Evaluate the metabolic profiles of fifty VAE harvested duringsummer and winter seasons and their antitumor activity through 2D and 3D models. Methodology:VAEwerepreparedbymacerationfrom:V.albumsubsp.albumgrowingonMalus domestica,Quercus sp.and Ulmus sp.; V. album subsp. austriacum from Pinus sylvestris; V. album subsp. abietis from Abies alba.Chemical analyses were performed through liquid chromatography coupled with high resolutionmass spectrometry and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was performed in theMetaboanalyst 4.0. The antitumor potential of the selected VAE was evaluated in 2D and 3D models(MDA-MB-231 cancer cells) by MTT, crystal violet and glycolytic pathway analysis. Results anddiscussion:Thefirst3principalcomponentsinPLS-DAexplained60%and40%ofdatavariationin positive andnegativemodesrespectively.Threegroupswereformedandshowedchemicalsimilarityamong V. album subspecies. The compounds responsible for group separation were tentativelyidentifiedas:pinobankasinornaringenin hexoside;isorhamnetin-3-hexoside,meglutolanddifferent aminoacids.ThesummerVAEat0.5%v/vinducedhighercytotoxicdamagethanthewinterpreparations, and Abies alba and Quercus sp. VAE promoted 49% and 42% reduction of tumorviability in 3D model (72h incubation), respectively. MDA-MB-231 glycolytic pathway in 2D modelshowed a decrease in the glucose consumption and extracellular lactate production. Also, PFK (6-phosphofructo-1-kinase)andPK(Pyruvatekinase)activitieswereinhibitedbyAbiesalbaandQuercus sp. VAE at 48h of incubation. Conclusion: VAE extracts showed different metabolomes andthe glycolytic pathway should be an important target involved in the inhibition of tumor growth bytheseextracts

The use of homeopathy and flower therapy as an aid in the treatment of climacteric symptoms: an integrative review

Climacteric is characterized as the set of symptoms that usually start in the period of transition from the reproductive phase to female senility, and directly impacts woman's quality of life. Currently, the treatments approved by the FDA for this pathology mainly involve the use of antidepressants and hormone replacement, both having side effects. Clinical studies carried out in 2002, showed an increased risk of breast cancer, and other pathologies related to the prolonged use of these drugs. The impact ofthe studies resulted in a greater interest in complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), such as the use of homeopathy and flower remedies for the treatment of climacteric symptoms. This abstract aims to present an integrative review on the use of homeopathy and flower remedies in the treatment of climacteric symptoms, in order to identify it main scientific evidence. For this, metodology consisted of research in the databases Web of Science, Google Scholar, HomeoIndex, LILACS and SciELO. The inclusion criteria were original human studies, totally available, and published in the last 10 years in Portuguese, English and Spanish, presenting the use of floral remedies or homeopathic treatment. The main homeopathic medicines used were Lachesis mutus, Belladona, Sepia officinalis, Sanguinaria canadensis and Sulfur. The main flower remedies were Cherry plum, Agrimony, Gentian, Walnut, Olive and Larch. The findings in this review demonstrate a positive outcome trend in favor of the effectiveness of these practices through the studies evaluated, encouraging the expansion of new designs and research that fully contemplate the principles of these practices. Thus, this work contributes to the advancement in the understanding of each one of these rationalities, making this work a source of consultation for health professionals and for future research, resulting in a strengthening of CAMs in the field of health.

Heteroisotherapics effect on the treatment against smoking: a cognitive-behavioral approach

The most common way of consuming nicotine is in tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine causes intense addiction. The National Cancer Institute coordinates and executes the Tobacco Control Program in Brazil, through actions that encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles. In this context, homeopathy has used Heteroisotherapic medicines formulated according to the homeopathic pharmaceutical technology with scientific evidence of efficacy in the detoxification of substances and metals, and in the desensitization of foods or medicines. Aims Promote the importance of the cognitive-behavioral approach in combination with the homeopathic treatment against smoking. Methodology In the initial phase of the randomized double-blind clinical study (CEP / HUCFF / UFRJ 65622916.2.0000.5257), the effectiveness of the 6CH heteroisotherapeutic drug was assessed. Volunteers were recruited andin-person welcoming meetings, using the cognitive-behavioral approach, were carried out to inform them about the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. In addition, they were supported and guided during the smoking cessation process so that they could deal with the withdrawal syndrome, the psychological dependence and the constraints associated with smoking. Results and discussion84 participants were selected according to the inclusion criteria, and divided by randomization into two groups:the Test Group (heteroisotherapeutic medication) and the Control Group (homeopathic medication Nux vomica6CH).Both groups will be followed for 12 months. The combination of the following approaches has led to a significant increase in the cessation rate: I.Prepare the smoker for solving his own issues; II. Stimulate skills to resist temptations to smoke; III. Prepare to prevent relapse; IV. Prepare to deal with stress. Studies show that, regardless the duration of these approaches, there is an increase in the abstinence rate. Moreover, the longer the total approach time (frequency multiplied by the time spent on each contact), the higher the abstinence rate. On the other hand, from a total approach time of 90 minutes on, there is no further increase in the abstinence rate. ConclusionThe partial results obtained so far demonstrate that the cognitive-behavioral approach played a decisive role in the groups performance, favoring the treatment adherence as well as the group cohesion around the Project's objective, contributing to the effectiveness of the medicine, a decreased anxiety, improved sleep, cessation or decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the abstinence rate.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Brazilian propolis essential oil

The present study aimed at investigating the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from Brazilian propolis and the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermides, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli to this substance. The essential oil was obtained by steam distillation of propolis and examined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, the agar diffusion method using filter paper disks was employed. Antibacterial activity was measured as equivalent diameters of inhibition zones (in millimeters) after incubation at 37ºC for 24 hours. From the 26 identified constituents, Beta-caryophyllene (12.7 percent), acetophenone (12.3 percent) and Beta-farnesene (9.2 percent) were found to be major components. New components, namely linalool, methyl hydrocinnamate, ethyl hydrocinnamate, alfa-ylangene, gama-elemene and valencene, are reported for the first time to be present in propolis essential oil. This oil also exhibited antibacterial activity.