Reproducibility of the effects of homeopathically potentised Argentum nitricum on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomised and blinded bioassay.

BACKGROUND: A previous study reported a significant statistical interaction between experiment date and treatment effect of Argentum nitricum 14x-30x on the growth rate of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the stability of the test system and intra-laboratory reproducibility of the effects found. METHODS: Duckweed was treated with A. nitricum potencies (14x-30x) as well as succussed and unsuccussed water controls. The outcome parameter area-related growth rate for day 0-7 was determined by a computerised image analysis system in two series of independent randomised and blinded experiments. Systematic negative control (SNC) experiments were carried out to investigate test system stability. Statistical analysis was performed with full two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and protected Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. RESULTS: In the first repetition series we found a significant treatment effect (p = 0.016), while in the second series no effect was observed. The negative control experiments showed that the experimental system was stable. An a posteriori subgroup analysis concerning gibbosity revealed the importance of this growth state of L. gibba for successful reproduction of the statistically significant interaction in the original study; flat: no interaction (p = 0.762); slight gibbosity: no interaction (p = 0.356); medium gibbosity: significant interaction (p = 0.031), high gibbosity: highly significant interaction (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: With the original study design (disregarding gibbosity status of L. gibba) results of the original study could not be reproduced sensu stricto. We conclude that the growth state gibbosity is crucial for successful reproduction of the original study. Different physiological states of the test organisms used for bioassays for homeopathic basic research must carefully be considered.

The use of plant-based bioassays in homeopathic basic research.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate homeopathic basic research studies that use plant-based bioassays. With this in view, a compilation was made of the findings of three systematic literature reviews covering plant-based bioassays in the three fields of healthy, abiotically, or biotically stressed plants. This compilation focused on investigations using advanced experimental methods and detailed descriptions, also with the aim of supporting the design of future experiments. METHODS: Publications included had to report on studies into the effects of homeopathic preparations on whole plants, seeds, plant parts and cells. Outcomes had to be measured by established procedures and statistically evaluated. A Manuscript Information Score (MIS) was applied using predefined criteria to identify publications with sufficient information for adequate interpretation (MIS ≥ 5). Additional evaluation focused on the use of adequate controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations, and on the use of systematic negative control (SNC) experiments to ensure the stability of the bioassay. Only a fraction of the studies reported here were performed with 'ultra high' dilutions, whereas other studies were performed with moderate or high dilutions. RESULTS: A total of 157 publications were identified, describing a total of 167 experimental studies. 84 studies included statistics and 48 had a MIS ≥ 5, thus allowing adequate interpretation. 29 studies had adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations, and reported significant effects of decimal and centesimal homeopathic potencies, including dilution levels beyond Avogadro's number. 10 studies reported use of SNC experiments, yielding evidence for the stability of the experimental set-up. CONCLUSION: Plant models appear to be a useful approach for investigating basic research questions relating to homeopathic preparations, but more independent replication trials are needed in order to verify the results found in single experiments. Adequate controls and SNC experiments should be implemented on a routine basis to exclude false-positive results.

Ethnobotanical tattooing of the gingiva: literature review and report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Traditional gingival tattooing, practiced in Ethiopia and occasionally in other African and Middle Eastern nations, is performed for esthetic appeal or superstition, and it occasionally may be used as a homeopathic remedy for dental diseases. The authors provide a literature review and case report of this oral custom. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old woman from Ethiopia reported that she had undergone tattooing of the maxillary gingiva six years previously for analgesic management of undisclosed oral disease. The gingiva was pierced with a needle, tipped with lantern soot and resin from the plant Datura stramonium (an herb that possesses potent anticholinergic tropane alkaloids and has demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity). However, the patient admitted that this procedure had provided no reduction in the pain. Clinical examination was significant for a pronounced blue pigmentation of the maxillary gingiva, generalized mild periodontitis and several carious lesions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Practitioners should ascertain whether gingival tattooing had been performed when patients manifest unusual oral pigmentation and be aware of its use in folk medicine for various oral conditions.

Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa).

INTRODUCTION: Tumeric is a spice that comes from the root Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family, Zingaberaceae. In Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), tumeric has been used for its medicinal properties for various indications and through different routes of administration, including topically, orally, and by inhalation. Curcuminoids are components of tumeric, which include mainly curcumin (diferuloyl methane), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcmin. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this systematic review of the literature was to summarize the literature on the safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin. METHODS: A search of the computerized database MEDLINE (1966 to January 2002), a manual search of bibliographies of papers identified through MEDLINE, and an Internet search using multiple search engines for references on this topic was conducted. The PDR for Herbal Medicines, and four textbooks on herbal medicine and their bibliographies were also searched. RESULTS: A large number of studies on curcumin were identified. These included studies on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties of curcuminoids. Studies on the toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin have included in vitro, animal, and human studies. A phase 1 human trial with 25 subjects using up to 8000 mg of curcumin per day for 3 months found no toxicity from curcumin. Five other human trials using 1125-2500 mg of curcumin per day have also found it to be safe. These human studies have found some evidence of anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin. The laboratory studies have identified a number of different molecules involved in inflammation that are inhibited by curcumin including phospholipase, lipooxygenase, cyclooxygenase 2, leukotrienes, thromboxane, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-inducible protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-12 (IL-12). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin has been demonstrated to be safe in six human trials and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. It may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation.

Capacidade produtiva e qualidade nutricional de gramíneas perenes submetidas a sistema contínuo de cortes / Productive capacity and nutritional quality of different perennial grasses submitted to a continued cuts system

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade e as características bromatológicas dos estratos superior e inferior de gramíneas perenes em sistema contínuo de cortes. As cultivares avaliadas foram: Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst cv. Estrela-roxa; Cynodon dactilon (L.) Pears cv. Coast-cross 1; Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst cv. Tifton 68; Cynodon ssp. cv. Tifton 85; Cynodon dactilon sp. cv. Jiggs; Hemárthria altissima cv. Roxinha e Penissetum clandestinum cv. Quicuio. Todos os cortes foram realizados no momento em que cada cultivar alcançava 95% de interceptação luminosa. As cutivares Jiggs e Tifton 68, com 21.348 e 21.016kg ha-1, respectivamente, tiveram as maiores produções (P<0,05) de fitomassa seca acumulada. Na média geral dos cortes, o quarto corte apresentou a menor relação estrato superior:inferior em relação aos demais (P<0,05). Em relação ao estrato superior, a Tifton 85 apresentou o maior teor de PB, sendo superior estatisticamente (P<0,05) no primeiro, segundo e quarto cortes, enquanto no terceiro corte a Coast-cross apresentou o maior teor proteico. No geral, as cv. Jiggs e Tifton 68 apresentaram a maior produção de fitomassa acumulada. Já a cv. Tifton 85 foi responsável pelos maiores níveis de PB, enquanto os teores de carboidratos estruturais mantiveram padrão constante, tanto no estrato superior quanto inferior, em sistema de quatro cortes sucessivos.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productivity and the bromatologic characteristics of the upper and lower strata of perennial grasses in four cut systems. The cultivars evaluated were: Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst cv. Estrela Roxa; Cynodon dactilon (L.) Pears cv. Coast-cross 1; Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst cv. Tifton-68; Cynodon ssp. cv. Tifton-85; Cynodon dactilon sp. cv. Jiggs; Hemárthria altissima cv. Roxinha, and Penissetum clandestinum cv. Quicuio. All cuts were made when each cv. reached 95% light interception. The cv. Jiggs and Tifton 68, with 21348 and 21016kg ha-1, respectively, were responsible for the higher yields (P<0.05) of accumulated dry biomass. The overall average of the cuts, the fourth cut had the lowest ratio upper stratum: lower compared to the others (P<0.05). Regarding the upper stratum, the cv. Tifton 85 had the highest CP content, statistically higher (P<0.05) in the first, second and fourth cut, while in the third cut the cv. Coast-cross had the highest protein content. In general, cv. Jiggs and Tifton 68 had the highest number of accumulated biomass. The cv. Tifton 85 was responsible for the higher levels of CP, whereas the levels of structural carbohydrates maintained a constant pattern, in both the upper and lower strata in four cut systems.(AU)

Natural products and anti-inflammatory activity.

The aim of this review paper was to summarise some commonly available natural products and their anti-inflammatory activity. We have collected data from MEDLINE, Current Contents and scientific journals, which included 92 publications. There are numerous natural products detailed in this literature; however we have summarized a few of the most commonly available and potent ones. In this paper, the natural products with anti-inflammatory activity including curcumin, parthenolide, cucurbitacins, 1,8-cineole, pseudopterosins, lyprinol, bromelain, flavonoids, saponins, marine sponge natural products and Boswellia serrata gum resin were reviewed. Natural products play a significant role in human health in relation to the prevention and treatment of inflammatory conditions. Further studies are being conducted to investigate the mechanism of action, metabolism, safety and long term side effect of these natural products, as well as interactions between these natural products with food and drug components.

Use of homeopathic Arnica montana for the issuance of roots of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Br / Uso do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de Rosmarinus officinalis L. e Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Br

This study sought to evaluate the influence of dilutions of the homeopathic preparation Arnica montana on the rooting of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and white Lippia (Lippia alba). Cuttings of R. officinalis and Lippia alba were place for rooting in trays of commercial substrate “plantmax”-like and soon after, subjected to daily applications of Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH, 9cH and 12cH and two controls – distilled water and ethanol 70%. Statistical design was entirely casualized delineation, with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions, each experimental unit was composed by 10 stakes. Applications were made via pulverization, 10 drops of the treatment in 400 ml of water. 45 days later the number of roots, the number of shoots, the length of the largest root, the percentage of sets and the quality of stakes were assessed. Data were analyzed through variance analysis, mean were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% level of statistical significance. Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH and 12cH had a stimulatory effect on all variables regarding the issuance of roots in both species studied, showing the similarity of this homeopathic preparation to the physiological picture arising from the process of cutting, promoting an increase in the percentage and quality of roots.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) e cidreira (Lippia alba). Mudas de Rosmarinus officinalis e Lippia alba, cultivadas no horto medicinal de NCA/UFMG foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas contendo substrato comercial de tipo "plantamax" e imediatamente após, submetidas a aplicações diárias de preparados homeopáticos de Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH, 9cH e 12cH, com dois controles, água destilada e etanol 70%. O desenho estatístico foi completamente randomizado (DIC), com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições, cada unidade experimental esteve composta de 10 estacas. Depois de 45 dias, foram avaliados o número de raízes, o número de brotos, a longitude da raiz mais longa, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas e qualidade das estacas. Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH e 12cH promoveu todas as variáveis relacionadas com a formação de raízes sob estudo, acentuando a semelhança entre Arnica montana e o quadro induzido pelo processo fisiológico do estacamento, promovendo aumento na porcentagem e qualidade das raízes.

Use of homeopathic Arnica montana for the issuance of roots of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lippia alba (Mill) N.E.Br / Uso do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de Rosmarinus officinalis L. e Lippia alba (Mill)N.E.Br

This study sought to evaluate the influence of dilutions of the homeopathic preparation Arnica montana on the rooting of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and white Lippia (Lippia alba). Cuttings of R. officinalis and Lippia alba were place for rooting in trays of commercial substrate “plantmax”-like and soon after, subjected to daily applications of Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH, 9cH and 12cH and two controls – distilled water and ethanol 70%. Statistical design was entirely casualized delineation, with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions, each experimental unit was composed by 10 stakes. Applications were made via pulverization, 10 drops of the treatment in 400 ml of water. 45 days later the number of roots, the number of shoots, the length of the largest root, the percentage of sets and the quality of stakes were assessed. Data were analyzed through variance analysis, mean were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% level of statistical significance. Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH and 12cH had a stimulatory effect on all variables regarding the issuance of roots in both species studied, showing the similarity of this homeopathic preparation to the physiological picture arising from the process of cutting, promoting an increase in the percentage and quality of roots.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) e cidreira (Lippia alba). Mudas de Rosmarinus officinalis e Lippia alba, cultivadas no horto medicinal de NCA/UFMG foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas contendo substrato comercial de tipo "plantamax" e imediatamente após, submetidas a aplicações diárias de preparados homeopáticos de Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH, 9cH e 12cH, com dois controles, água destilada e etanol 70%. O desenho estatístico foi completamente randomizado (DIC), com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições, cada unidade experimental esteve composta de 10 estacas. Depois de 45 dias, foram avaliados o número de raízes, o número de brotos, a longitude da raiz mais longa, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas e qualidade das estacas. Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH e 12cH promoveu todas as variáveis relacionadas com a formação de raízes sob estudo, acentuando a semelhança entre Arnica montana e o quadro induzido pelo processo fisiológico do estacamento, promovendo aumento na porcentagem e qualidade das raízes.(AU)

Estudio de secado por aspersión hasta escala de banco del extracto acuoso de Boerhaavia erecta L / Study of spray drying of water extract from Boerhaavia erecta L

Introducción: la utilización de los extractos obtenidos a partir de las plantas se difunde cada vez más en la industria farmacéutica para la fabricación de numerosos productos. Para su obtención en forma de polvo, se emplea el secado por aspersión por ser un método de secado que preserva los componentes naturales presentes en estos productos. La presencia de compuestos como los azúcares impide que estos productos puedan ser secados por aspersión sin que se adhieran a las superficies internas del equipo, lo que produce bajo rendimiento en su recuperación. El uso de aditivos inertes como almidón, ciclodextrinas, lactosa y maltodextrina, favorece la recuperación del producto, porque actúan como coadyuvantes del secado. Objetivos: determinar la concentración de aditivo que permite alcanzar el mayor rendimiento en el secado del extracto acuoso de Boerhaavia erecta L. Métodos: se estudió la influencia del uso de diferentes aditivos sobre el rendimiento en el proceso de secado por aspersión. Resultados: se logró obtener a escala de banco un extracto seco que cumple con los requisitos de calidad fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos, con un rendimiento superior a 90 por ciento. Conclusiones: la presencia de aditivos en el proceso de secado del extracto de B. erecta eleva el rendimiento y se obtuvo un producto que cumple con los requisitos de calidad establecidos.

Introduction: the use of plant extracts increasingly extends in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of many products. To obtain them in powder form, the spray drying is employed because it is a method that preserves the natural components of these products. The presence of compounds like sugars makes the spray drying of these products difficult since they adhere to the internal surface of the equipment and this brings about low rate of product recovery. Use of inert additives such as starch, cyclodextrines, lactose and maltodextrine favors recovery of product because they act as drying coadjuvants. Objectives: to determine the additive concentration that allows reaching the highest performance in drying water extract from Boerhaavia erecta L. Methods: the influence of several additives on the performance of the spray drying process was researched. Results: it was possible to obtain at the test bed dry extract that fulfils the physical, chemical and microbiological quality requirements, with over 90 percent performance. Conclusions: the presence of additives in the process of B. erecta extract drying increases the performance and the final product fulfils the set quality requirements.