Prevalence of COVID-19 Complications during a Program of Homeopathic Camphora Officinalis Distribution to City Populations of Santa Catarina, Brazil: An Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, was declared a pandemic in March 2020, posing significant challenges globally. Homeopathy has historical relevance in epidemic management. In response, the government of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, distributed Camphora 1M as a potential prophylactic intervention for COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of Camphora 1M as an adjunctive prophylactic measure in managing COVID-19, focusing on mortality and hospitalization rates, during the period April 28 to July 31, 2020, within designated COVID-19 in-patient units in Santa Catarina. METHODS: An ecological study design was applied to this epidemiological research. Five case municipalities (Itajaí, Atalanta, Entre Rios, Rio do Campo, Trombudo Central) were compared with five control municipalities (São José, Galvão, Pedras Grandes, Grão-Pará, Ascurra). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in predictor variables between municipalities that received Camphora 1M and the respective controls. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were observed in outcomes: deaths (p = 0.879), hospitalized cases (p = 0.537), daily ward admissions (p = 0.730) and ICU admissions (p = 0.072). CONCLUSION: For the first wave of the pandemic in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, city-wide distribution of Camphora 1M was not associated with reduced numbers, severity or mortality among the population hospitalized in designated public hospitals for COVID-19.

Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) Using Lipophilic Extract of Viscum album subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Vollm.

Background and Purpose: Natural products are potential sources of anticancer components. Among various species, the lipophilic extract of the Viscum album subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Vollm. (VALE) has shown promising therapeutic potential. The present work aimed to qualify the plant source and characterize the extract's chemical profile. In addition, a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) containing VALE (SNEDDS-VALE) was developed. Methods: V. album subsp. austriacum histochemistry was performed, and the chemical profile of VALE was analyzed by GC-MS. After the SNEEDS-VALE development, its morphology was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while its stability was evaluated by the average droplet size, polydispersity index (PdI) and pH. Lastly, SNEDDS-VALE chemical stability was evaluated by LC-DAD-MS. Results: The histochemical analysis showed the presence of lipophilic compounds in the leaves and stems. The major compound in the VALE was oleanolic acid, followed by lupeol acetate and ursolic acid. SNEDDS was composed of medium chain triglyceride and Kolliphor® RH 40 (PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil). A homogeneous, isotropic and stable nanoemulsion was obtained, with an average size of 36.87 ± 1.04 nm and PdI of 0.14 ± 0.02, for 14 weeks. Conclusion: This is the first histochemistry analysis of V. album subsp. austriacum growing on Pinus sylvestris L. which provided detailed information regarding its lipophilic compounds. A homogeneous, isotropic and stable SNEDDS-VALE was obtained to improve the low water solubility of VALE. Further, in vitro and in vivo experiments should be performed, in order to evaluate the antitumoral potential of SNEDDS-VALE.

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.

Comparative analysis for quality control of mother tinctures in Brazilian reports

Quality control of ahomeopathic mother tincture begins with the analysis of the raw material. Once the product is obtained, some organoleptic characteristics and Physicochemical properties such as appearance, colour, odour, density, dry residue, alcohol content,and chemicalmarker are evaluated. In Brazil, mother tinctures from different suppliers may have high variability in terms of the specifications described in the homeopathic pharmacopoeia. Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare mother tinctures' quality control from different pharmaceutical suppliers based on Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia 3rd edition. Methods: Five mother tinctures were selected according to the high number of requests in the pharmacies, also its monographs are in the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (FHB) 3rd edition. The report of analysis of the product was provided by three homeopathic pharmacies from the city of Rio de Janeiro. The information in the reports wasevaluated and compared to its monograph. Results and discussion: In this study, it was found that the number of laboratories that provide homeopathic pharmaceutical ingredients is rather low. In addition, in some reports, a number of identification tests werenot described properly when compared to the monograph. Besides that, some information diverges from the pharmacopoeia, for example, absence of dry residue testing, replacement of the part of the plant used to prepare the mother tincture,and results that do not meet pharmacopoeia specifications. As can be seen, the quality and effectiveness of homeopathic medicines prepared from these tinctures may be compromised. Conclusion:In order to guarantee consumer protection and the quality and effectiveness of medicines, governments and regulatory agencies should requirea greater commitment from suppliers in the production of homeopathic inputs.

Proceedings of the XXXIV GIRI meeting and V International Workshop on Homeopathy [Editorial]

The XXXIV annual GIRI Meeting was held for the first time together with the V International Workshop on Homeopathy (IWH) in frames of an academic-scientific partnership between the Brazilian Public University (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ) and the GIRI society (International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects). This event occurred on December 2ndto 4th2021 as online conference. Thanks to the partnership as well as the use of the virtual platform, the GIRI meeting 2021 reached the highest visibility in the whole history of already 34 meetings (there were ca. 600 inscriptions and more than 14 000 page views on the last conference day). At the meeting 12 abstractswere presented as oral contributions and further 34 as e-posters. The 5thEdition of International Workshop on Homeopathy regarded "The scientific evidence of homeopathy in health care" and provided the possibilities to exchange scientific experiences, todiscuss many research details, and to meet other researchers involved into basic and clinical homeopathic research from all over the world. The scientific sections were dedicated to the following subjects: -Homeopathy teaching and practice; -Chemical and physical models; -In vivoand in vitromodels; -Clinical trials.We are convinced that the content of the present special issue of the International Journal High Dilution Research dedicated to the memories of XXXIV GIRI meeting will bring new insights to the homeopathic scientific community.© International Journal of High Dilution Research. Not for commercial purposes.

Mapa de Evidência: efetividade clínica da Fitoterapia e Plantas Medicinais para Cicatrização e Doenças Agudas / Evidence Map: clinical effectiveness of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for Wound Healing and Acute Diseases / Mapa de Evidencia: efetividad clínica de las Plantas Medicinales y Fitoterapia para Cicatrización y Enfermedades Agudas

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre os efeitos das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para cicatrização e doenças agudas. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram incluídos no mapa 16 estudos de revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos foram avaliados, caracterizados e categorizados por um grupo de pesquisadores do Laboratório de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (LabPICs) da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

El mapa presenta una visión general de la evidencia sobre los efectos de las plantas medicinales y la fitoterapia para cicatrización y las enfermedades agudas. A partir de una amplia búsqueda bibliográfica, se incluyeron 16 estudios de revisión sistemática en el mapa. Todos los estudios fueron evaluados, caracterizados y categorizados por un grupo de investigadores del Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo para Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (LabPIC) en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro.

The map presents an overview of the evidence on the effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for for wound healing and acute diseases. From a wide bibliographic search, 16 systematic review studies were included in the map. All studies were evaluated, characterized and categorized by a group of researchers from the Research & Development Laboratory for Integrative and Complementary Practices (LabPICs) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Mapa de Evidência: efetividade clínica das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para Saúde Mental e Qualidade de Vida / Mapa de Evidencia: efetividad clínica de las Plantas Medicinales y Fitoterapia para Salud Mental y Calidad de Vida / Evidence Map: clinical effectiveness of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for Mental Health and Quality of Life

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre os efeitos das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para Saúde Mental e Qualidade de Vida. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram incluídos no mapa 37 estudos de revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos foram avaliados, caracterizados e categorizados por um grupo de pesquisadores do Laboratório de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (LabPICs) da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

El mapa presenta una visión general de la evidencia sobre los efectos de las plantas medicinales y la fitoterapia para ela salud mental y calidad de vida. A partir de una amplia búsqueda bibliográfica, se incluyeron 37 estudios de revisión sistemática en el mapa. Todos los estudios fueron evaluados, caracterizados y categorizados por un grupo de investigadores del Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo para Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (LabPIC) en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro.

The map presents an overview of the evidence on the effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for mental health and quality of life. From a wide bibliographic search, 37 systematic review studies were included in the map. All studies were evaluated, characterized and categorized by a group of researchers from the Research & Development Laboratory for Integrative and Complementary Practices (LabPICs) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Mapa de Evidência: efetividade clínica das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para Distúrbios Metabólicos e Fisiológicos / Mapa de Evidencia: efetividad clínica de las Plantas Medicinales y Fitoterapia para Trastornos Metabólicos y Fisiológicos Clinical / Evidence Map: effectiveness of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for Metabolism and Physiological Disorders

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre os efeitos das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para Distúrbios Metabólicos e Fisiológicos. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram incluídos no mapa 48 estudos de revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos foram avaliados, caracterizados e categorizados por um grupo de pesquisadores do Laboratório de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (LabPICs) da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

El mapa presenta una visión general de la evidencia sobre los efectos de las plantas medicinales y la fitoterapia para el trastornos metabólicos y fisiológicos. A partir de una amplia búsqueda bibliográfica, se incluyeron 48 estudios de revisión sistemática en el mapa. Todos los estudios fueron evaluados, caracterizados y categorizados por un grupo de investigadores del Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo para Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (LabPIC) en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro.

The map presents an overview of the evidence on the effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for Metabolic and Physiological Disorders. From a wide bibliographic search, 48 systematic review studies were included in the map. All studies were evaluated, characterized and categorized by a group of researchers from the Research & Development Laboratory for Integrative and Complementary Practices (LabPICs) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Mapa de Evidência: efetividade clínica das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para Doenças Crônicas e Dor / Mapa de Evidencia: efetividad clínica de las Plantas Medicinales y Fitoterapia para Enfermedades Cronicas y Dolor / Evidence Map: clinical effectiveness of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for Chronic Diseases and Pain

O mapa apresenta uma visão geral das evidências sobre os efeitos das Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapia para dor e doenças crônicas. A partir de uma ampla busca bibliográfica foram incluídos no mapa 49 estudos de revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos foram avaliados, caracterizados e categorizados por um grupo de pesquisadores do Laboratório de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (LabPICs) da Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

El mapa presenta una visión general de la evidencia sobre los efectos de las plantas medicinales y la fitoterapia para el dolor y las enfermedades crónicas. A partir de una amplia búsqueda bibliográfica, se incluyeron 49 estudios de revisión sistemática en el mapa. Todos los estudios fueron evaluados, caracterizados y categorizados por un grupo de investigadores del Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo para Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (LabPIC) en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro.

The map presents an overview of the evidence on the effects of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy for pain and chronic diseases. From a wide bibliographic search, 49 systematic review studies were included in the map. All studies were evaluated, characterized and categorized by a group of researchers from the Research & Development Laboratory for Integrative and Complementary Practices (LabPICs) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

L-tyrosine-loaded nanoparticles increase the antitumoral activity of direct electric current in a metastatic melanoma cell model.

Inhibition of tumor growth induced by treatment with direct electric current (DC) has been reported in several models. One of the mechanisms responsible for the antitumoral activity of DC is the generation of oxidative species, known as chloramines. With the aim of increasing chloramine production in the electrolytic medium and optimizing the antitumoral effects of DC, poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with the amino acid tyrosine were obtained. The physical-chemical characterization showed that the NPs presented size in nanometric range and monomodal distribution. A slightly negative electrokinetic potential was also found in both blank NPs and L-tyrosine-loaded PCL NPs. The yield of the loading process was approximately 50%. Within 3 h of dissolution assay, a burst release of about 80% L-tyrosine was obtained. The in vitro cytotoxicity of DC was significantly increased when associated with L-tyrosine-loaded NPs, using a murine multidrug-resistant melanoma cell line model. This study showed that the use of the combination of nanotechnology and DC has a promising antineoplastic potential and opens a new perspective in cancer therapy.