Homeopathy and biotherapy in Bothrops asper envenomation

Snake envenomation by Bothrops asper is a common problem affecting cattle raising and rural workers in farms across Latin America. Control of hemorrhage must often be ensured at the site of the accident, as medical care and antivenom therapy might not be available on the premises. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of homeopathic medicine Phosphorus 6cH, biotherapy Bothrops asper 6cH and a homeopathic formula on hemorrhage induced by B. asper envenomation. Groups of mice received the investigated treatments before and after envenomation (minimal hemorrhagic dose) and the diameter and intensity of hemorrhage were assessed. When administered before envenomation, all 3 treatments reduced the hemorrhage diameter; the best results were achieved with formula administered 14 days before envenomation and Phos 6cH 7 days before. Among the animals treated after envenomation, Phos 6cH in 4 doses/hour exhibited the best results in terms of hemorrhage diameter and intensity. We conclude that both homeopathy and biotherapy exhibit considerable potential as alternative treatment to reduce hemorrhage induced by B. asper venom. (AU)

Acidentes por Bothrops asper afetam frequentemente o gado e trabalhadores rurais em toda a América Latina. Dado que tanto atenção médica quanto tratamento antiofídico podem não estar disponíveis no local do acidente, é necessário controlar a hemorragia in loco. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do medicamento homeopático Phosphorus 6cH, bioterápico Bothrops asper 6cH e um complexo homeopático na hemorragia induzida por B. asper. Diferentes grupos de camundongos receberam os medicamentos testados antes e depois do envenenamento (dose hemorrágica mínima) e foram medidos o diâmetro e a intensidade da hemorragia. Quando administrados antes do envenenamento, os 3 tratamentos reduziram o diâmetro da hemorragia, obtendo-se os melhores resultados com o complexo administrado 14 dias antes e Phos 6cH 7 dias antes. Entre os animais tratados depois do envenamento, os melhores resultados em termos de diâmetro e intensidade da hemorragia foram obtidos com Phos 6cH em 4 doses/hora. Conclui-se que tanto a homeopatia quanto o bioterápico apresentam grande potencial como tratamento alternativo para reduzir a hemorragia induzida por B. asper. (AU)

Homeopathy and biotherapy in Bothrops asper envenomation

Snake envenomation by Bothrops asper is a common problem affecting cattle raising and rural workers in farms across Latin America. Control of hemorrhage must often be ensured at the site of the accident, as medical care and antivenom therapy might not be available on the premises. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of homeopathic medicine Phosphorus 6cH, biotherapy Bothrops asper 6cH and a homeopathic formula on hemorrhage induced by B. asper envenomation. Groups of mice received the investigated treatments before and after envenomation (minimal hemorrhagic dose) and the diameter and intensity of hemorrhage were assessed. When administered before envenomation, all 3 treatments reduced the hemorrhage diameter; the best results were achieved with formula administered 14 days before envenomation and Phos 6cH 7 days before. Among the animals treated after envenomation, Phos 6cH in 4 doses/hour exhibited the best results in terms of hemorrhage diameter and intensity. We conclude that both homeopathy and biotherapy exhibit considerable potential as alternative treatment to reduce hemorrhage induced by B. asper venom. (AU)

Acidentes por Bothrops asper afetam frequentemente o gado e trabalhadores rurais em toda a América Latina. Dado que tanto atenção médica quanto tratamento antiofídico podem não estar disponíveis no local do acidente, é necessário controlar a hemorragia in loco. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do medicamento homeopático Phosphorus 6cH, bioterápico Bothrops asper 6cH e um complexo homeopático na hemorragia induzida por B. asper. Diferentes grupos de camundongos receberam os medicamentos testados antes e depois do envenenamento (dose hemorrágica mínima) e foram medidos o diâmetro e a intensidade da hemorragia. Quando administrados antes do envenenamento, os 3 tratamentos reduziram o diâmetro da hemorragia, obtendo-se os melhores resultados com o complexo administrado 14 dias antes e Phos 6cH 7 dias antes. Entre os animais tratados depois do envenamento, os melhores resultados em termos de diâmetro e intensidade da hemorragia foram obtidos com Phos 6cH em 4 doses/hora. Conclui-se que tanto a homeopatia quanto o bioterápico apresentam grande potencial como tratamento alternativo para reduzir a hemorragia induzida por B. asper. (AU)

Influence of the type of vegetable oil on the drug release profile from lipid-core nanocapsules and in vivo genotoxicity study.

The use of rice bran (RB), soybean (SB) or sunflower seed (SF) oils to prepare lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs) as controlled drug delivery systems was investigated. LNCs were prepared by interfacial deposition using the preformed polymer method. All formulations showed negative zeta potential and adequate nanotechnological characteristics (particle size 220-230 nm, polydispersity index < 0.20). The environmental safety was evaluated through an in vivo protocol (Allium cepa test) and LNCs containing RB, SB or SF oils did not present genotoxic potential. Clobetasol propionate (CP) was selected as a model drug to evaluate the influence of the type of vegetable oil on the control of the drug release from LNCs. Biphasic drug release profiles were observed for all formulations. After 168 h, the concentration of drug released from the formulation containing SF oil was lower (0.36 mg/mL) than from formulations containing SB (0.40 mg/mL) or RB oil (0.45 mg/mL). Good correlations between the consistency indices for the LNC cores and the burst and sustained drug release rate constants were obtained. Therefore, the type of the vegetal oil was shown as an important factor governing the control of drug release from LNCs.