ABSTRACT
To assess the risk of heavy metal contamination of homoeopathic mother tinctures, 9 plant species and 1 fungus used in the manufacture of homoeopathic medicaments were investigated. Mother tinctures were prepared according to the manufacturing procedures described in the European Pharmacopoeia. The original herbal drug and the material processed during production were analysed for their cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) content. The plant components were harvested from 2 sites contaminated by different heavy metal exposure pathways and compared with reference material from Deutsche Homöopathie-Union (DHU). It was confirmed that in all cases a significant depletion of all heavy metals studied occurred during manufacture of the mother tincture, regardless of the starting material used. In all cases, most of the heavy metal content was retained in the press cake; low levels only were detected in the mother tincture. None of the mother tinctures of plant origin exceeded the required limits, not even those of plant starting materials originating from highly contaminated sites. Substantial heavy metal concentrations could only be detected in the mother tincture of the fungus Amanita muscaria, calculated from the dry weight of the starting material. According to the results obtained, a risk-based approach to heavy metal assessment is suggested where permanent control is focused on the heavy metals accumulating in organisms such as fungi.
Subject(s)
Amanita/chemistry , Drug Contamination , Materia Medica/chemistry , Materia Medica/standards , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Drug Contamination/prevention & control , Europe , Pharmacopoeias, Homeopathic as Topic , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Molecular events that cause tumor formation upregulate a number of HOX genes, called switch genes, coding for RNA polymerase II transcription factors. Thus, in tumor cells, RNA polymerase II is more active than in other somatic cells. Amanita phalloides contains amanitin, inhibiting RNA polymerase II. Partial inhibition with amanitin influences tumor cell--but not normal cell--activity. OBJECTIVES: To widen the treatment spectrum, homeopathic dilutions of Amanita phalloides, containing amanitin, were given to a patient with leukemia. Monitoring the leukemic cell count, different doses of amanitin were given. RESULTS: The former duplication time of leukemic cells was 21 months. Within a period of 21 months, the cell count is stabilized to around 10(5)/µL. No leukemia-associated symptoms, liver damage, or continuous erythrocyte deprivation occur. CONCLUSIONS: This new principle of tumor therapy shows high potential to provide a gentle medical treatment.