Effects of a dragonfly (Anax i.) homeopathic remedy on learning, memory and cell morphology in mice.

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which uses highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms similar to those exhibited by patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dragonfly (Anax imperator, Anax i.) on learning and memory in naive mice using the Morris water maze (MWM) test; moreover, the effects of dragonfly on MK-801-induced cognitive dysfunction were evaluated. METHODS: Male balb-c mice were treated with dragonfly (30C and 200C) or MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg) alone or concurrently (n = 10). Dragonfly (D) and MK-801 were administered subchronically for 6 days intraperitoneally 60 min and 30 min, respectively, before the daily performance of the MWM test. RESULTS: This study revealed that in the familiarization session and first session of the MWM test, Anax i. D30 significantly decreased escape latency compared to the control group, although MK-801, D30 and D200 significantly increased escape latency at the end of five acquisition sessions. Anax i. combined with dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) also significantly decreased escape latency in the familiarization session and first session of the MWM test, although this combination increased escape latency compared to the MK-801 alone group at the end of the test. Time spent in escape platform's quadrant in the probe trial significantly decreased while mean distance to platform significantly increased in MK-801, D30 and D200 groups. In the MWM test, Anax i. combined with MK-801 significantly decreased speed of the animals compared to the MK-801 alone group. General cell morphology was disturbed in the MK-801 group while D30 and D200 seemed to improve cell damage in the MK-801 group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the homeopathic Anax i. can impair learning acquisition and reference memory, and it has beneficial effects on disturbed cell morphology.

Effects of homeopathic Anax imperator on behavioural and pain models in mice.

BACKGOUND: Homeopathy is a medical theory and practice that asserts that disease can be cured by remedies that produce symptoms in a healthy person similar to those suffered by a patient with a malady. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of homeopathic Anax imperator (dragonfly) (Anax-i 30c and Anax-i 200c) in the forced swim test (FST), elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, hot plate (HP) test and open field test and examined NPY1 receptor expression, in naive mice. RESULTS: In the FST, treatment with Anax-i 30c or Anax-i 200c significantly diminished immobility time while in EPM test, Anax-i 200c increased the percentage of time spent in open arms as well as the percentage of open arm/total arms. In the HP test, Anax-i 30c or Anax-i 200c decreased the total time mice spent licking their hind paws while in open field test, treatment with Anax-i 200c increased the total distance and speed mice traveled compared to the control group. Three weeks of daily injections with Anax-i 30c or Anax-i 200c caused significant weight loss in mice. Anax-i 30c or Anax-i 200c treatment significantly decreased NPY1 receptor expression, and Anax-i 30c also decreased NPY2 receptor expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the homeopathic Anax-i exerts antidepressant, anxiolytic and analgesic-like effects and causes hyperlocomotion and weight loss.