Estudo comparativo da patogenesia de quatro medicamentos homeopáticos de origem ofídica: relação da composição das toxinas e espécie de serpente / Comparative study of the pathogenetic symptoms of four homeopathic medicines derived from snakes: relationship between venom composition and snake species

Um dos fundamentos tradicionais da homeopatia é a experimentação no indivíduo sadio. Isto é, antes de ser utilizados na clínica através da lei dos semelhantes, as substâncias ou drogas são testadas em sujeitos sadios a fim de se identificar com precisão os sinais e sintomas que provocam. Os medicamentos homeopáticos produzidos a partir de toxinas ofídicas apresentam relevante utilização terapêutica, sobretudo Lachesis muta. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a sintomatologia de quatro medicamentos homeopáticos de origem ofídica, Elaps corallinus, Bothrops lanceolatus, Crotalus horridus e Lach, obtida através de experimentação patogenética, visando relacionar as ações comuns e discutir as diferenças bioquímicas que justificam as especificidades de cada um. A relação entre as descrições patogenéticas dos medicamentos Lach, Elaps, Crot-h e Both-l apresentam muitas características comuns com os acidentes ofídicos provocados por Lachesis muta, Micrurus corallinus, Crotalus horridus e Bothrops jararaca, respectivamente, fato que justifica a utilização de informações toxicológicas como contribuição para a matéria médica homeopática. Conclui-se que os medicamentos estudados apresentam características patogenéticas comuns com eventos hemorrágicos, inflamatórios e neurotóxicos, porém, separadamente, guardam detalhes individuais e clinicamente específicos, sendo impossível a descrição de uma patogenesia única para os medicamentos elaborados a partir das diferentes espécies de serpentes. A composição de cada toxina justifica a maioria das ações patogenéticas dos respectivos medicamentos, bem como suas semelhanças com os relatos dos acidentes ofídicos.

One of the traditional foundations of homeopathy is the proving of medicines in healthy individuals. This to say, before used in clinical practice by means of the law of similarity, substances or drugs are tested in healthy volunteers to establish the signs and symptoms they cause with full precision. Homeopathic medicines prepared from snake venoms are used quite often in clinical practice, Lachesis muta in particular. The aim of the present study was to compare the set of pathogenetic symptoms of four homeopathic medicines derived from snakes, i.e., Elaps corallinus, Bothrops lanceolatus, Crotalus horridus, and Lach to correlate common actions, and discuss the biochemical differences that account for each one’s specificities. The pathogenetic descriptions of Lach, Elaps, Crot-h and Both-l exhibit many traits in common with the effects of the venoms of Lachesis muta, Micrurus corallinus, Crotalus horridus and Bothrops jararaca, respectively, which justifies the inclusion of toxicological data in the homeopathic materia medica. We conclude that the investigated homeopathic medicines exhibit pathogenetic traits corresponding to hemorrhagic, inflammatory, and neurotoxic events, however, they also exhibit individual and clinically specific actions that hinder the elaboration of a single pathogenetic picture. The composition of each snake venom accounts for the pathogenetic action of the corresponding homeopathic medicines, as well as their similarity with snake bites.

Estudo comparativo da patogenesia de quatro medicamentos homeopáticos de origem ofídica: relação da composição das toxinas e espécie de serpente / Comparative study of the pathogenetic symptoms of four homeopathic medicines derived from snakes: relationship between venom composition and snake species

Um dos fundamentos tradicionais da homeopatia é a experimentação no indivíduo sadio. Isto é, antes de ser utilizados na clínica através da lei dos semelhantes, as substâncias ou drogas são testadas em sujeitos sadios a fim de se identificar com precisão os sinais e sintomas que provocam. Os medicamentos homeopáticos produzidos a partir de toxinas ofídicas apresentam relevante utilização terapêutica, sobretudo Lachesis muta. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a sintomatologia de quatro medicamentos homeopáticos de origem ofídica, Elaps corallinus, Bothrops lanceolatus, Crotalus horridus e Lach, obtida através de experimentação patogenética, visando relacionar as ações comuns e discutir as diferenças bioquímicas que justificam as especificidades de cada um. A relação entre as descrições patogenéticas dos medicamentos Lach, Elaps, Crot-h e Both-l apresentam muitas características comuns com os acidentes ofídicos provocados por Lachesis muta, Micrurus corallinus, Crotalus horridus e Bothrops jararaca, respectivamente, fato que justifica a utilização de informações toxicológicas como contribuição para a matéria médica homeopática. Conclui-se que os medicamentos estudados apresentam características patogenéticas comuns com eventos hemorrágicos, inflamatórios e neurotóxicos, porém, separadamente, guardam detalhes individuais e clinicamente específicos, sendo impossível a descrição de uma patogenesia única para os medicamentos elaborados a partir das diferentes espécies de serpentes. A composição de cada toxina justifica a maioria das ações patogenéticas dos respectivos medicamentos, bem como suas semelhanças com os relatos dos acidentes ofídicos.

One of the traditional foundations of homeopathy is the proving of medicines in healthy individuals. This to say, before used in clinical practice by means of the law of similarity, substances or drugs are tested in healthy volunteers to establish the signs and symptoms they cause with full precision. Homeopathic medicines prepared from snake venoms are used quite often in clinical practice, Lachesis muta in particular. The aim of the present study was to compare the set of pathogenetic symptoms of four homeopathic medicines derived from snakes, i.e., Elaps corallinus, Bothrops lanceolatus, Crotalus horridus, and Lach to correlate common actions, and discuss the biochemical differences that account for each one’s specificities. The pathogenetic descriptions of Lach, Elaps, Crot-h and Both-l exhibit many traits in common with the effects of the venoms of Lachesis muta, Micrurus corallinus, Crotalus horridus and Bothrops jararaca, respectively, which justifies the inclusion of toxicological data in the homeopathic materia medica. We conclude that the investigated homeopathic medicines exhibit pathogenetic traits corresponding to hemorrhagic, inflammatory, and neurotoxic events, however, they also exhibit individual and clinically specific actions that hinder the elaboration of a single pathogenetic picture. The composition of each snake venom accounts for the pathogenetic action of the corresponding homeopathic medicines, as well as their similarity with snake bites.

Transcriptomic basis for an antiserum against Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom

Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) is a tropical forest snake belonging to the family Elapidae. Its venom shows a high neurotoxicity associated with pre- and post-synaptic toxins, causing diaphragm paralysis, which may result in death. In spite of a relatively small incidence of accidents, serum therapy is crucial for those bitten. However, the adequate production of antiserum is hampered by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient amounts of venom from a small snake with demanding breeding conditions. In order to elucidate the molecular basis of this venom and to uncover possible immunogens for an antiserum, we generated expressed sequences tags (ESTs) from its venom glands and analyzed the transcriptomic profile. In addition, their immunogenicity was tested using DNA immunization. Results: A total of 1438 ESTs were generated and grouped into 611 clusters. Toxin transcripts represented 46% of the total ESTs. The two main toxin classes consisted of three-finger toxins (3FTx) (24%) and phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) (15%). However, 8 other classes of toxins were present, including C-type lectins, natriuretic peptide precursors and even high-molecular mass components such as metalloproteases and L-amino acid oxidases. Each class included an assortment of isoforms, some showing evidence of alternative splicing and domain deletions. Five antigenic candidates were selected (four 3FTx and one PLA2) and used for a preliminary study of DNA immunization.

New reports on parasitism by Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in Brazilian snakes

The occurrence of Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in the esophagus of two Brazilian snakes is reported in the present study. The trematodes were collected from one Micrurus corallinus (Elapidae) and one Phalotris lativittatus (Colubridae); both snakes were found in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the trematodes are presented. For the first time Micrurus corallinus has been recorded as a host for H. buccicola and this is the second time that P. lativittatus has been reported as a host for this trematode species.

Elaps in advanced pathology - a case study

The case of a patient with severe complications after rectal adenocarcinoma surgery is reported. Homeopathic treatment was selected on the basis of individualization of symptoms (minimum syndrome of maximum value) and prescribed in Korsakovian potencies. It is discussed what it may be expected in the... (AU)

Elaps coralinus / Elaps coralinus

En 1828, Constantin Hering declarait: "Je n'ai jamais ajoute une foi entiere a l'Assertion des Chimistres que le venin n'exerce son action que dans une blessure et que son effet est nul quand on le prend par la bouche". Fort de cette conviction, il s'attacha avec passion a l'etude des serpents. (AU)

Les venins de serpents / Snake poisons

L'auteur nous propose ici une Matiere Medicale condensee des principaux venins rencontres en homeopathie. (AU)

Cross reactivity of different specific Micrurus antivenom sera with homologous and heterologous snake venoms

Coral snakes are the only Elapids in America. They are represented by three genera: Leptomicrurus, Micruroides and Micrurus, of which the latter are the most abundant and diversified group. Little is known about the biochemistry of Micrurus venoms due to low availability. Here, we present a study on the cross reactivity of different specific Micrurus antivenom with homologous and heterologous snake venoms in order to contribute to the generation of more efficient antiserum for therapeutic purposes. The three specific antisera tested, anti-Micrurus corallinus, anti-Micrurus frontalis, and anti-Micrurus spixii, as well as the bivalent anti-elapid venom sera, raised against a mixture (50% each) of Micrurus frontalis and Micrurus corallinus venoms, were assayed by Western Blot against Micrurus and non-Micrurus elapid venoms. An antisera raised against a recombinant á-neurotoxin-like protein from Micrurus corallinus venom, only reacted in Western blot with its homologous venom, indicating that this protein is specific for Micrurus corallinus coral snake.

Cloning of an unusual natriuretic peptide from the South American coral snake Micrurus corallinus

In the course of cloning abundant cDNAs from the South American coral snake Micrurus corallinus venom gland, we characterized a cDNA coding for a putative natriuretic peptide. All the natural natriuretic peptides described so far, possess a ring structure composed of 17 amino acids formed through an S-S bridge which is extended at the N-terminus by few to several amino acids and may be extended at the C-terminus, usually 4-7 amino acids. In contrast, the M. corallinus natriuretic peptide presents several distinct features: (a) the preform of the deduced natriuretic peptide displays an unusual C-terminus extension. This implies that the mature peptide has a long C-terminal tail or it is further extensively processed to result in the mature natriuretic peptide with the expected 4-7 amino-acid extension. (b) the deduced natriuretic peptide presents an unusual internal Cys within the ring structure. This raises the possibility of natriuretic peptides with a smaller ring structure. (c) the putative natriuretic peptide is flanked by two homologous peptides of unknown function. In addition, an analogous peptide was synthesized and assayed on perfused rat kidney, showing a dose-dependent response in urinary volume and sodium excretion. Moreover, northern-blot studies showed that M. corallinus natriuretic peptide transcripts were highly expressed in venom glands, but they were not detectable in other tissues like heart and brain, suggesting a main role for this M. corallinus natriuretic peptide in the venom gland or in the envenomation by this coral snake's bite

Semences de Matiere medicales homeopathieque, sixieme partie: Digitalis a Glonoinum / Seeds of homeopathic materia medica, sixth part: Digitalis to Glonoinum

La plupart des donnees contenues dans cette Matiere medicale homeopathique sont inedites. Elles ont ete deduites ou calculees a partir des provings originaux de l'Encyclopedie de Matiere medicale pure, de Timothee Field Allen, et des Guiding Symptoms, de Constantin Hering. En ce qui concerne les indications thermales, elles font partie d'un ouvrage de crenotherapie homeopathique exhaustif, inedit a ce jour et portant sur cent stations thermales francaises. (AU)