An initial report on the efficacy of a millesimal potency Arsenicum Album LM 0/3 in ameliorating arsenic toxicity in humans living in a high-risk arsenic village.

BACKGROUND: Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, and there is no known remedy that can effectively remove the symptoms of prolonged arsenic poisoning. A potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album LM 0/3 (Ars Alb LM 0/3), is claimed in homeopathic literature to have the ability to treat symptoms similar to that of arsenic poisoning. OBJECTIVE: This study examines whether Ars Alb LM 0/3 could provide some degree of amelioration for the victims living in an arsenic-affected village where no arsenic-free drinking water is available. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study was carried out on volunteers living in an arsenic-affected village where no arsenic-free drinking water is available. Twenty-eight volunteers from the village of Dasdiya, in Haringhata block under Nadia District, West Bengal, India, an arsenic-contaminated village where wells contain 55 to 95 µg/L arsenic, were selected to undertake a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. The subjects provided samples of blood and urine before and after 2 months of taking either "verum" or "placebo". Another 18 subjects living in an arsenic-free village, served as the negative controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Samples of blood and urine from the subjects were assayed for arsenic content, according to various toxicity biomarkers and pathophysiological parameters. RESULTS: Out of the original 28 subjects, only 14 subjects provided samples while the other 14 dropped out. There were elevated levels of arsenic in the blood and urine, alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione activities and increased blood glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, whereas there were decreased levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase contents, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and packed cell volume in the subjects. After 2 months of homeopathic remedy administration, the verum-fed subjects showed positive modulations within these parameters with slight lowering of matrix metalloproteinase activity as compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Ars Alb LM 0/3 shows potential for use in high-risk arsenic villages as an interim treatment for amelioration of arsenic toxicity until more extensive medical treatment and facilities can be provided to the numerous victims of arsenic poisoning.

Comparative efficacy of two microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, arsenicum album, to ameliorate toxicity induced by repeated sublethal injections of arsenic trioxide in mice.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 2 potentized homeopathic remedies of Arsenicum Album (Ars Alb)--6C and 30C--in combating chronic arsenic toxicity induced by repeated sublethal injections in mice (Mus musculus). METHODS: Mice were randomized and divided into sets: (1) normal (control 1); (2) normal + succussed alcohol (control 2); (3) As(2)O(3) (0.016%) injected at 1 ml/100 g body weight every 7 days (treated); (4) As(2)O(3) injected + succussed alcohol (positive control); (5) As(2)O(3) injected + Ars Alb 6C (drug-fed); (6) As(2)O(3) injected + Ars Alb 30C (drug-fed). Cytogenetical endpoints like chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index, sperm head abnormality and biochemical protocols like acid and alkaline phosphatases, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, catalase and succinate dehydrogenase were studied at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. RESULTS: Compared to controls, chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, sperm head abnormality frequencies and activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and lipid peroxidation were reduced in both drug-fed series, while mitotic index and activities of glutathione, catalase and succinate dehydrogenase were increased. Ars Alb 30C showed marginally better efficacy than Ars Alb 6C. CONCLUSION: Both remedies indicated potentials of use against arsenic intoxication.

Efficacy of Arsenicum album 30cH in preventing febrile episodes following DPT-HepB-Polio vaccination - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Among the post-immunization adverse events, especially of Diphtheria-Pertusis-Tetanus (DPT), fever is a common systemic reaction. There is anecdotal support for the use of the homeopathic medicine Arsenicum album in preventing post-vaccination fever. The investigators intended to evaluate its efficacy in preventing febrile episodes following vaccination. METHODS: In the community medicine out-patient of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India, between August 2014 and January 2017, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 120 children (verum: 60, placebo: 60) who presented for the 2nd and 3rd dose of DPT-HepB-Polio vaccination and reported febrile episodes following the 1st dose. Intervention used was Arsenicum album 30cH 6 doses or placebo (indistinguishable from verum), thrice daily for two subsequent days. Parents were advised to report any event of febrile attacks within 48h of vaccination, either directly or over telephone. RESULTS: The groups were comparable at baseline. Children reporting fever after the 2nd dose was 29.8% and 30.4% respectively for the homeopathy group and control group respectively [Relative Risk (RR)=1.008] with no significant difference (P=0.951) between groups. Again after the 3rd dose, children reporting fever were 31.5% and 28.3% respectively for the homeopathy group and control group respectively (RR=0.956) with no significant difference (P=0.719) between groups. CONCLUSION: Empirically selected Arsenicum album 30cH could not produce differentiable effect from placebo in preventing febrile episodes following DPT-HepB-Polio vaccination. [Trial registration: CTRI/2017/02/007939].

[Optimization of formulation matrix proportion and preparation technology of realgar floating tablets for gastric retention by uniform design and correlation analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the different components proportions of the Realgar floating tablets for gastric retention by uniform design and correlation analysis. METHOD: With the different dosage of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as the tablets frame matrix, uniform design and correlation analysis were used to optimize the best component proportions of formula, and to measure the dissolution of the tablets in vitro. RESULT: Dissolution of the tablets in vitro was conformed to the expectation of experiment. The drug-release mechanism was by diffusion and corrosion at the same time. CONCLUSION: The Realgar floating tablets for gastric retention achieved the goal of design, which demand sustained release and safety.

[Differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by realgar nano-particles].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation inhibition and the differentiation effects of realgar (As4S4) nano-particles on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60. METHOD: Cell viability was determined by MTT and PI-stained cell cycle assays. The realgar induced morphological changes on cells were examined after Wright-Giemsa staining. The cell differentiation was evaluated with NBT and specific cell surface antigen (CD11b and CD14) expression assays. RESULT: HL-60 cells exhibited obvious morphological features of differentiation after the realgar treatment. A 24 h incubation of the cells with 0.25-1.0 micromol x L(-1) realgar caused a great increase in NBT reduction ability. The expressions of CD11b and CD14 were augmented in cells treated with 0.50 micromol x L(-1) realgar for 48 h, and cell cycles were arrested in G1 phase. CONCLUSION: Low dose realgar induces differentiation in human acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60.

[Realgar nano-particles induce apoptosis and necrosis in leukemia cell lines K562 and HL-60].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the growth-inhibitory, apoptosis- and necrosis-inducing effects of realgar nano-particles (RNP) in human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 and acute myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60, and to find out the chemical species with efficacy. METHOD: A "solvent-relay" strategy was used for the preparation of RNP suspension. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and necrosis were characterized with Annexin V-PI double staining in association with flow cytometry and with morphological examination with Hoechst 33258 staining. Parallel experiments with arsenous acid (H3AsO3), the dominant form of arsenic trioxide in the solution, were conducted for comparison. RESULT: The mean diameter of RNP was 159.0 nm. RNP showed growth-inhibitory effect on both cell lines. The double staining test indicated that RNP induced both apoptosis and necrosis, and this was further confirmed by morphological examination. CONCLUSION: RNP induced both apoptosis and necrosis in leukemia cell lines K562 and HL-60. Thioarsenite species with both As-O and As-S bonds may be the active intermediates in the RNP.

Efficacy of a potentized homoeopathic drug (Arsenicum Album-30) in reducing genotoxic effects produced by arsenic trioxide in mice: comparative studies of pre-, post- and combined pre- and post-oral administration and comparative efficacy of two microdoses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the comparative efficacies of Arsenicum Album 30C and 200C and three administrative modes in protecting against the genotoxic effects produced by Arsenic trioxide injection in mice. DESIGN: Healthy mice, Mus musculus, were intraperitoneally injected with a 0.004% solution of As2O3 @1 ml/100 gms of body weight. Genotoxic effects were assessed through chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE), mitotic index (MI) and sperm head anomaly (SHA) studies, keeping suitable succussed alcohol fed (positive) and As2O3 untreated normal (negative) controls. The As2O3 treated mice were divided into three subgroups, which were orally administered with the drug a) prior to, b) after and c) both prior to and after injection of As2O3 at specific fixation intervals. RESULTS: While the CA, MNE and SHA were reduced in the drug fed series as compared to respective controls, the MI showed an apparent increase. The combined pre- and post-feeding of Arsenicum album was found to be most effective in reducing the genotoxic effects of As2O3 i200C was more effective than 30C. CONCLUSION: Arsenicum Album reduces the genotoxic effect of arsenic poisoning.

Efficacy of a potentized homoeopathic drug (Arsenicum Album-30) in reducing genotoxic effects produced by arsenic trioxide in mice: II. Comparative efficacy of an antibiotic, actinomycin D alone and in combination with either of two microdoses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether actinomycin-D (AMD), an antibiotic, alters the reported efficacy of a potentized homoeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, in reducing genotoxic effects produced in arsenic-trioxide-injected mice. DESIGN: Mice were separately injected with AMD, As2O3, and conjointly with AMD plus As2O3, AMD plus homoeopathic drug, AMD plus As2O3 plus homoepathic drug, and As2O3 plus homoeopathic drug in separate sets. METHODS: Several standard cytogenetical endpoints were assessed at different fixation intervals by adopting conventional techniques. RESULTS: Both Ars Alb-30 and Ars Alb-200 showed protective ability against AMD and As2O3 when injected individually, but this ability was reduced considerably in mice injected with AMD and As2O3 together. AMD itself had genotoxic effects, but also apparently reduced genotoxic effects of arsenic to some extent. CONCLUSION: AMD reduced the protective efficacy of the homoeopathic drug against arsenic. This result suggests a mechanism of action for homoeopathy, as AMD is a known transcription-blocker.

Ameliorating effect of microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, on arsenic-induced toxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic in groundwater and its accumulation in plants and animals have assumed a menacing proportion in a large part of West Bengal, India and adjoining areas of Bangladesh. Because of the tremendous magnitude of the problem, there seems to be no way to tackle the problem overnight. Efforts to provide arsenic free water to the millions of people living in these dreaded zones are being made, but are awfully inadequate. In our quest for finding out an easy, safe and affordable means to combat this problem, a homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album-30, appears to yield promising results in mice. The relative efficacies of two micro doses of this drug, namely, Arsenicum Album-30 and Arsenicum Album-200, in combating arsenic toxicity have been determined in the present study on the basis of some accepted biochemical protocols. METHODS: Mice were divided into different sets of control (both positive and negative) and treated series (As-intoxicated, As-intoxicated plus drug-fed). Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in liver and blood were analyzed in the different series of mice at six different fixation intervals. RESULTS: Both Arsenicum Album-30 and Arsenicum Album-200 ameliorated arsenic-induced toxicity to a considerable extent as compared to various controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results lend further support to our earlier views that microdoses of potentized Arsenicum Album are capable of combating arsenic intoxication in mice, and thus are strong candidates for possible use in human subjects in arsenic contaminated areas under medical supervision.

[Influence of oral administration of realgar on contents of copper, zinc and selenium in rat tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of copper, zinc and selenium levels in rat tissues after long-term oral administration of Realgar. METHODS: Rats were given Realgar with dosage of 50, 150, 450 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 5 weeks, and the concentrations of copper, zinc and selenium in different rat tissues as well as the contents of metallothionein in rat liver and kidney were determined with atomic absorption and hydride generation-atomic fluorescent technique. The total amount of copper excreted from feces and urine of each rat 5 days before the rat was killed was also measured. RESULTS: No significant changes of levels of copper, zinc and selenium in rat tissues were found after administration of low and middle dosages of Realgar. But higher dosage (450 mg.kg-1.d-1) of Realgar administration could induce a small but significant decrease of zinc concentration in hearts and a increase of copper contents in spleen and tibia, as well as twice more copper concentration of kidney. CONCLUSION: Copper deposit in kidney was the most significant change found among the trace elements levels in rat tissues, and this might be one of the mechanisms for kidney toxicity of Realgar.