Hemangioma infantil congênito: opção de tratamento homeopático com medicamento calcárea carbônica / Congenital infantile hemangioma: homeopathic treatment option with carbonic limestone medicine

Este é o relato de um caso clínico de uma criança lactente que a desde o nascimento possui uma tumefação de coloração vermelho-rubro na região occipital direita e outra na região infra escapular próxima a axila ipsilateral, de relevo e bordas irregulares. À avaliação médica, ficou com diagnóstico de hemangioma infantil. O hemangioma infantil é um tumor vascular benigno comum, representando a anomalia vascular mais frequentemente encontrada em idade pediátrica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi mostrar a ação do tratamento homeopático com a medicação Calcárea Carbônica como opção terapêutica com boa eficácia para o tratamento do hemangioma infantil.

The present document outlines the clinical case of an infant child who, since birth, has a reddish-red swelling in the right occipital region and another in the infrascapular area close to the ipsilateral armpit, with relief and irregular edges. Upon medical evaluation, she was diagnosed with infantile hemangioma. Infantile hemangioma is a common benign vascular tumour, representing the vascular anomaly most frequently found in children. This work aimed to show the action of homeopathic treatment with Calcárea Carbonica as a therapeutic option with good efficacy for the treatment of infantile hemangioma.

Antifungal activity of homeopathic medicines against the white mold causing agent Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

White mold disease, caused by fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary., is a disease hard to control due to the high amount of sclerotia produced, which guarantees its survival in the soil for years leading to significant yield losses. Alternative techniques to control the pathogen have been researched, including homeopathy. The present work aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effect of homeopathic medicines on S. sclerotiorum mycelial growth. Homeopathic medicines Sulphur, fungal sclerotium Nosode and Calcarea carbonica, in 30CH, 200CH and 1000CH dynamizations were tested. Assays were carried out in a completely randomized design, with four repetitions. Experiments were performed through the addition of homeopathic medicines on the surface of plates containing culture medium, followed by insertion of a disc containing fungus mycelia and incubation. Control treatment received no homeopathic medicine. The mycelial progression was monitored by seven halo diameter measurements during experiment period. All homeopathic medicines tested and their dynamizations were able to inhibit partially the development of the fungus. Calcarea carbonica at the dynamization of 1000 CH showed the best inhibitory effect on S. sclerotiorum, which under its effect produced a mycelial halo 40% smaller than the control treatment.

Calcarea carbonica treatment rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human mononuclear cells via downregulation of inducible cyclooxygenase pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with severe side effects and toxicity. Therefore, we studied the anti-inflammatory role of Calcarea carbonica which had minimal toxicity at the low doses. METHODS: THP-1 human mononuclear cells were treated with C. carbonica to evaluate the 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) and 50% effective concentration (EC50). Cell survival was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated C. carbonica-treated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. carbonica. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression was determined by Western blotting analysis, and the interaction of C. carbonica with the COX-2 protein was evaluated using molecular docking simulation. RESULTS: The CC50 and EC50 of C. carbonica were found to be 43.26 and 11.99 µg/mL, respectively. The cell survival assay showed a 1.192-fold (P = 0.0129), 1.443-fold (P = 0.0009) and 1.605-fold (P = 0.0004) increase in cell survival at 24, 48 and 72 h after initiating C. carbonica treatment, respectively. C. carbonica-treated cells showed a reduction in NO levels by 2.355 folds (P = 0.0001), 2.181 folds (P = 0.0001) and 2.071 folds (P = 0.0001) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The treated cells also showed a reduction in TNF-α levels by 1.395 folds (P = 0.0013), 1.541 folds (P = 0.0005) and 1.550 folds (P = 0.0005) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. In addition, a 1.193-fold reduction (P = 0.0126) in COX-2 protein expression was found in C. carbonica-treated cells. The molecular docking showed interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2. CONCLUSION: C. carbonica exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells by significantly reducing NO production and TNF-α level through downregulation of the COX-2 protein. This effect is probably mediated through interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2.

Calcarea carbonica treatment rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human mononuclear cells via downregulation of inducible cyclooxygenase pathway / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with severe side effects and toxicity. Therefore, we studied the anti-inflammatory role of Calcarea carbonica which had minimal toxicity at the low doses.@*METHODS@#THP-1 human mononuclear cells were treated with C. carbonica to evaluate the 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC) and 50% effective concentration (EC). Cell survival was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated C. carbonica-treated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. carbonica. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression was determined by Western blotting analysis, and the interaction of C. carbonica with the COX-2 protein was evaluated using molecular docking simulation.@*RESULTS@#The CC and EC of C. carbonica were found to be 43.26 and 11.99 µg/mL, respectively. The cell survival assay showed a 1.192-fold (P = 0.0129), 1.443-fold (P = 0.0009) and 1.605-fold (P = 0.0004) increase in cell survival at 24, 48 and 72 h after initiating C. carbonica treatment, respectively. C. carbonica-treated cells showed a reduction in NO levels by 2.355 folds (P = 0.0001), 2.181 folds (P = 0.0001) and 2.071 folds (P = 0.0001) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The treated cells also showed a reduction in TNF-α levels by 1.395 folds (P = 0.0013), 1.541 folds (P = 0.0005) and 1.550 folds (P = 0.0005) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. In addition, a 1.193-fold reduction (P = 0.0126) in COX-2 protein expression was found in C. carbonica-treated cells. The molecular docking showed interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2.@*CONCLUSION@#C. carbonica exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells by significantly reducing NO production and TNF-α level through downregulation of the COX-2 protein. This effect is probably mediated through interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2.

Calcarea carbonica treatment rescues lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human mononuclear cells via downregulation of inducible cyclooxygenase pathway / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with severe side effects and toxicity. Therefore, we studied the anti-inflammatory role of Calcarea carbonica which had minimal toxicity at the low doses.@*METHODS@#THP-1 human mononuclear cells were treated with C. carbonica to evaluate the 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC) and 50% effective concentration (EC). Cell survival was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated C. carbonica-treated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. carbonica. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression was determined by Western blotting analysis, and the interaction of C. carbonica with the COX-2 protein was evaluated using molecular docking simulation.@*RESULTS@#The CC and EC of C. carbonica were found to be 43.26 and 11.99 µg/mL, respectively. The cell survival assay showed a 1.192-fold (P = 0.0129), 1.443-fold (P = 0.0009) and 1.605-fold (P = 0.0004) increase in cell survival at 24, 48 and 72 h after initiating C. carbonica treatment, respectively. C. carbonica-treated cells showed a reduction in NO levels by 2.355 folds (P = 0.0001), 2.181 folds (P = 0.0001) and 2.071 folds (P = 0.0001) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The treated cells also showed a reduction in TNF-α levels by 1.395 folds (P = 0.0013), 1.541 folds (P = 0.0005) and 1.550 folds (P = 0.0005) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. In addition, a 1.193-fold reduction (P = 0.0126) in COX-2 protein expression was found in C. carbonica-treated cells. The molecular docking showed interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2.@*CONCLUSION@#C. carbonica exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells by significantly reducing NO production and TNF-α level through downregulation of the COX-2 protein. This effect is probably mediated through interaction of C. carbonica with the phenylalanine 367 residue present in active site of Cox-2.

Calcarea Carbonica Ostrearum para la obesidad en adolescentes mexicanos / Calcarea Carbonica Ostrearum for mexican adolescent obesity

Antecedentes: la obesidad es un problema de salud pública en México que va en aumento en niños y adolescentes, incrementando el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y metabólicas a temprana edad. Tradicionalmente, en la práctica clínica homeopática, Calcarea carbonica ostrearum se ha utilizado para la obesidad; sin embargo, no existen estudios de calidad metodológica donde se demuestre sueficacia. El objetivo del estudio fue demostrar la eficacia de Calcarea carbonica ostrearum vs placebo para disminuir la obesidad en adolescentes. Material y métodos: se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado, doble ciego, de 15 semanas de duración en el Hospital General de México (Ciudad de México) de febrero a agosto de 2010, en el que se incluyó a 25 pacientes adolescentesobesos de entre 14 y 18 años de edad. Se les administró Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH, o placebo, junto con cambios en la dieta y ejercicio. Las variables medidas fueron: peso, índice de masa corporal, perímetro abdominal y porcentaje de grasa corporal. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH y placebo en el porcentaje de grasa corporal (Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 2.9±1.1 vs placebo 1.3±1.5; diferencia=1.63, p<0.05). En las demás variables (peso, índice de masa corporal y perímetro abdominal) no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre grupos después de 15 semanas de tratamiento. Conclusión: Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH puede ser efectiva para reducir el porcentaje de grasa corporal en adolescentes obesos. Es necesario que se realicen ensayos clínicos controlados con tamaños de muestra más grandes para corroborar estos resultados. (AU)

Background: obesity is a health problem in Mexico. The prevalence of juvenile and child obesity is raising and is strongly related to cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Traditionally, in daily homeopathic practice, Calcarea carbonica ostrearum is prescribed for obesity. Nevertheless there is a lack of well-designed studies to prove its efficacy. The objetive of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH vs placebo for reducing obesity in adolescents. Methods/design: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled two-arm trial with a 15 weeks follow-up study was conducted in the Hospital General de Mexico in Mexico City. Twenty-five adolescents between 14 and 18 years were included. The outcomes were: weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference and percentage of body fat. Results: percentage of body fat was the only outcome with statistically significant difference between Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH and placebo (Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 2.9±1.1 vs placebo 1.3±1.5, difference=1.63, p<0.05). Neither weight, nor body mass index, nor abdominal circumference were different from placebo after 15 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 30CH could be effective for reducing the percentage of body fat in obese adolescents. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results. (AU)

Bone computed tomography mineral content evaluation in chickens: effects of substances in homeopathic concentration.

METHODS: Ninety-six cobb race chickens were equally divided in 4 groups and randomly assigned to receive a standard treatment feed + homeopathic concentrations of Symphytum (S.) officinalis (9CH), or standard treatment feed + homeopathic concentrations of Tricalcarea (4CH), or standard treatment feed + homeopathic concentrations of Calcarea (C.) carbonica (30CH) or a placebo (the same feed but without any homeopathic compound) in order to assess the ability of the homeopathic compounds to increase the concentration of calcium hydroxyapatite in the sternal spongy bone tissue. We measured the concentration of calcium hydroxyapatite in the sternal spongy bone tissue of all chickens by means of a computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: 30%, 36% and 63% increase of sternum spongy-bone mineralization was observed after a 2 years period in the treatment groups with S. officinalis (9CH), Tricalcarea (4CH) (*P < 0.05) and C. carbonica (30CH) (***P < 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: Bone mineralization is usually low in battery chickens reared in commercial poultry-sheds, creating a weakness of the whole animal supporting apparatus. Homeopathic preparations with bone-tissue tropism may improve their health quality.

Raman spectroscopy reveals variation in free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength in ultrahigh dilutions

OBJECTIVE: To decipher the nature of water structure in two ultrahigh diluted (UHD) homeopathic drugs by Laser Raman Spectroscopy. METHOD: Two homeopathic drugs Calcarea carbonica (Calc.) and Sepia officinalis (Sep.) in 8cH, 202cH, and 1002cH and their diluent medium 90% ethanol in 8cH and 202cH were used in the present study. Laser Raman spectra of all the samples were obtained in the wave number region of 2400 – 4200 cm-1. The intensity ratio at vibration frequencies between 3200 and 3420 (R1) and that between 3620 and 3420 (R2) were calculated for each UHD of the samples. RESULTS: The spectra show a marked difference in intensities in the stretching vibrations of CH and OH groups of all the samples. R1 values for three UHDs of Calc. and Sep. show negative and positive relationships, respectively. In the case of R2 values, the relationship in three UHDs is 81002 for Calc., and 8> 202 < 1002 for Sep. In the case of control (ethanol UHDs) both R1 and R2 show a negative relationship. CONCLUSION: R1 denotes a relative number of OH groups with strong and weak hydrogen bonds. R2 indicates the relative number of OH groups with broken and weak H-bonds. Therefore, the UHDs of the two drugs and the control are different from each other with respect to hydrogen bond strength of OH groups and the number of free OH groups or non-hydrogen bonded water molecules.

Raman spectroscopy reveals variation in free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength in ultrahigh dilutions

Objective: To decipher the nature of water structure in two ultrahigh diluted (UHD) homeopathic drugs by Laser Raman Spectroscopy. Method: Two homeopathic drugs Calcarea carbonica (Calc.) and Sepia officinalis (Sep.) in 8cH, 202cH, and 1002cH and their diluent medium 90% ethanol in 8cH and 202cH were used in the present study. Laser Raman spectra of all the samples were obtained in the wave number region of 2400 – 4200 cm-1. The intensity ratio at vibration frequencies between 3200 and 3420 (R1) and that between 3620 and 3420 (R2) were calculated for each UHD of the samples. Results: The spectra show a marked difference in intensities in the stretching vibrations of CH and OH groups of all the samples. R1 values for three UHDs of Calc. and Sep. show negative and positive relationships, respectively. In the case of R2 values, the relationship in three UHDs is 8<202>1002 for Calc., and 8> 202 < 1002 for Sep. In the case of control (ethanol UHDs) both R1 and R2 show a negative relationship. Conclusion: R1 denotes a relative number of OH groups with strong and weak hydrogen bonds. R2 indicates the relative number of OH groups with broken and weak H-bonds. Therefore, the UHDs of the two drugs and the control are different from each other with respect to hydrogen bond strength of OH groups and the number of free OH groups or non-hydrogen bonded water molecules.(AU)

Elaboración de una propuesta de manejo con homeopatía para pacientes con dolor torácico / Preparation of a management proposal with homeopathy for patients with chest pain

El dolor torácico es un motivo de consulta muy frecuente tanto en servicios de urgencias como en consulta externa, se estima que aproximadamente el 20% de las consultas de adultos no quirúrgicas en un servicio general de urgencias, corresponde a dolor torácico. La mayoría de ellos (85 a 90%) no se deben a síndrome coronario agudo (o infarto agudo de miocardio) o a otra potencialmente mortal. No encontramos informada en la literatura médica, una propuesta para el manejo de estos pacientes con homeopatía. Se revisó en medicinas internas y semiologías las diversas formas de presentación de dolor torácico, acorde con varios orígenes: Coronario, Gastroesofágico, Costocondral (Reumático) o Pleural. Seguidamente, se investigó en un repertorio digital (Radar 7) los medicamentos que mejor puntuaban según los síntomas más frecuentes, pretendiendo abarcar la totalidad sintomática del paciente. Se hizo una revisión y resumen de varias materias médicas de 20 medicamentos mejor puntuados y finalmente se elaboró un algoritmo con dos de los síntomas más característicos en las diversas modalidades de dolor torácico. Los medicamentos analizados fueron: Acónitum, Argentum Nitricum, Arsénicum Album, Árnica, Aurum Metálicum, Bryonia, Cactus Grandiflorus, Calcárea Carbónica, Carbo Vegetábilis, Causticum, Digitalis, Kali Carbónicum, Nux Vómica, Phosphorus, Spongia Tosta y Sulphur. A modo de ejemplo, en el dolor torácico de tipo opresivo o anginoso acompañado de angustia y temor a la muerte, los medicamentos más puntuados son: Acon, Dig, Arn y Cact.

Calcarea carbonica e associações (M8) como tratamento adjuvante de carcinoma inflamatório mamário em cão / Calcarea carbonica derivative complex (M8) as adjuvant treatment of inflammatory mammary carcinoma in a dog

Background: Inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is locally aggressive, fast growing, highly malignant tumor that affects humans and dogs. Affected dogs usually are presented with generalized edema, pain, erythema, and skin ulceration in mammary glands. Surgery is not recommended and an effective treatment has not been established [1]. Calcarea carbonica derivative complex (M8) has demonstrated anticancer properties in a murine model, by improving innate immune response against tumor cells [2,3]. M8 is a complex high diluted medication comprised of a 10%-20% concentration of Calcarea carbonica, Aconitum napellus, Arsenicum album, Asa foetida, Conium maculatum, Ipecacuanha, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, Silicea, Sulphur, and Thuya occidentalis, all in decimal dilutions of Hahnemann in distilled water and submitted to vigorous shaking. Aim: Describe an association of M8 and piroxicam (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to treat a dog with IMC. Discussion: A 7 years old, mixed breed intact female dog was presented to the Federal University of Parana - Veterinary Hospital, Curitiba (HV-UFPR) for mammary glands examination. The owners related inflammation of mammary glands with clinical course of approximately 10 days, which was treated for mastitis (cephalexin and metergoline) without clinical improvement. Clinical examination revealed erythema, increased skin warmth, pain on palpation, and plaque involving the 4th and 5th right mammary glands. Abdominal ultrasound and serum biochemistry were unremarkable. Thoracic radiographs showed suspicious images of pulmonary metastasis. Fine needle biopsy was taken for cytologic examination. Cytological interpretation was a malignant epithelial neoplasm, probably a mammary carcinoma. Diagnosis of IMC was based on clinical signs and cytopathology. Dog was treated with oral (0.5 mL) and topical M8 twice a day for 15 days, and pyroxican, 0.3mg/kg, PO, q24h. Clinical improvement was observed 7 days after starting treatment. Until present date (70 treatment days with M8), dog has no clinical signs of IMC, and does not show signs of disease progression. Conclusion: The present report suggests that M8 associated with piroxicam contributes to improvement of IMC dog?s quality of life and survival rate. However, further clinical studies are needed to evaluate response to treatment in patients diagnosed with IMC.(AU)

Introdução: O carcinoma inflamatório mamário (CIM) é um tumor altamente maligno que acomete cães e pessoas, apresentando-se localmente invasivo e com crescimento rápido. Em cães, os sinais clínicos incluem edema e eritema generalizado das mamas acometidas, dor local e ulceração. A intervenção cirúrgica é contra-indicada e não há consenso sobre tratamento clínico eficaz [1]. Estudos em modelo murino demonstraram que Calcarea carbonica e associações (M8) possuem propriedades anticancerígenas através de estímulo da resposta imune inata [2,3]. O M8 é altamente diluído, composto de 10 a 20% de Calcarea carbonica, Aconitum napellus, Arsenicum album, Asa foetida, Conium maculatum, Ipecacuanha, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, Silicea, Sulphur, e Thuya occidentalis, todos na diluição decimal de Hahnemann em água destilada e submetido à agitação vigorosa. Objetivo: Descrever a associação de M8 e piroxicam (antiinflamatório não esteroidal) no tratamento de cão com CIM. Discussão: Uma cadela não castrada, sem raça definida, de 7 anos de idade foi trazida ao Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Paraná - Curitiba (HV-UFPR) com histórico de inflamação mamária com evolução de 10 dias e não responsiva ao tratamento para mastite (com cefalexina e metergolina). Ao exame físico, as mamas abdominais caudais e inguinais direita apresentavam-se em placa, com aumento de temperatura, edema e eritema localizados e presença de sensibilidade dolorosa ao toque. A ultrassonografia abdominal e bioquímica sérica não apresentaram alterações significativas, enquanto que a radiografia torácica evidenciou imagem sugestiva de metástase pulmonar. Realizou-se biópsia aspirativa por agulha fina para análise citológica, a qual foi compatível com neoplasia epitelial maligna, provavelmente carcinoma mamário. O diagnóstico de CIM baseou-se nos sinais clínicos e resultados citopatológicos. Instituiu-se tratamento com M8 oral (0,5mL a cada 12 horas) e tópico (nas mamas envolvidas), em associação com piroxicam (0,3mg/kg, PO, a cada 24 horas). Observou-se melhora clínica significativa após 7 dias de tratamento e até a presente data (70 dias de tratamento com M8) a paciente não apresenta sinais clínicos de CIM e de progressão da doença.Conclusão: O presente caso sugere que a associação de M8 e piroxicam contribui para melhora da qualidade de vida e aumento da taxa de sobrevida em cães com CIM. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar a resposta clínica de pacientes com CIM tratados com M8.(AU)