The problem of dose in homeopathy: evaluation of the effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album 30cH on rats intoxicated with arsenic.

Authors

  • Olney Leite Fontes Saavedra Fontes e Maria Auxiliadora Leite Fontes
  • Fátima Cristiane Lopes Goularte Farhat
  • Amarilys Toledo Cesar
  • Marilisa Guimarães Lara
  • Maria Imaculada Lima Montebelo
  • Gabriela Cristina Gomes Rodrigues
  • Marco Vinícius Chaud

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v9i33.348

Keywords:

Homeopathic medicines, Dose, Experimental model, Rats, Arsenic intoxication, Arsenicum album

Abstract

Background: Although scientific studies have confirmed the action of homeopathic high dilutions in living organisms an endless debate on the choice of the most fitting dilution, the frequency of administration and the dose (amount of medicine) still remains. Aims: This study sought to assess the in vivo effect of 2 different concentrations of Arsenicum album 30cH in order to elucidate some problems in the homeopathic notion of dose. Methods: Male Wistar rats previously intoxicated with sodium arsenate by peritoneal injection were treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution administered by oral route. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed to measure the levels of arsenic retained in the animals as well as the amounts eliminated through urine. Urine samples were collected before and after and during treatment. A positive control group (intoxicated animals) and negative control group (non-intoxicated animals) were administered only the vehicle used to prepare the medicine (ethanol). Results: The groups treated with undiluted Ars 30cH and Ars 30cH in 1% solution eliminated significant amounts of arsenic through urine when compared to the control groups. The group treated with undiluted Ars 30cH eliminated significantly higher amounts of arsenic than the group treated with the same medicine in 1% solution. Conclusion: These results suggest that undiluted Ars 30cH was more effective than in 1% solution in this experimental model.

Author Biographies

Olney Leite Fontes, Saavedra Fontes e Maria Auxiliadora Leite Fontes

Pharmaceutics Course, Faculty of Health Sciences, Methodist University of Piracicaba

Fátima Cristiane Lopes Goularte Farhat

Pharmaceutics Course, Faculty of Health Sciences, Methodist University of Piracicaba

Amarilys Toledo Cesar

Specialization Course in Homeopathy, Medical School of Jundiaí

Marilisa Guimarães Lara

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo

Maria Imaculada Lima Montebelo

Pharmaceutics Course, Faculty of Health Sciences, Methodist University of Piracicaba

Gabriela Cristina Gomes Rodrigues

Pharmaceutics Course, Faculty of Health Sciences, Methodist University of Piracicaba

Marco Vinícius Chaud

Pharmaceutics Course, Faculty of Health Sciences, Methodist University of Piracicaba

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Published

2021-12-25

How to Cite

Fontes, O. L., Farhat, F. C. L. G., Cesar, A. T., Lara, M. G., Montebelo, M. I. L., Rodrigues, G. C. G., & Chaud, M. V. (2021). The problem of dose in homeopathy: evaluation of the effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album 30cH on rats intoxicated with arsenic. International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 9(33), 128–137. https://doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v9i33.348

Issue

Section

Pharmaceutical Research

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