Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre los modelos in vitro: revisión de la literatura / Effects of high homeopathic dilutions on in vitro models: a review of the literature

Los efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas (HD, por sus siglas en inglés) son controvertidos debido a que superan el número de Avogadro. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre los efectos de las HD sobre los modelos in vitro. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en la base de datos PubMed de estudios que evaluaran las HD simples sobre modelos in vitro, publicados de 2007 en adelante. Resultados: 28 publicaciones cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión/exclusión. 26 estudios mostraron efectos evidentes de las HD simples sobre modelos in vitro. La mayor parte de tales estudios fueron realizados en países en donde la homeopatía ha alcanzado un alto nivel de institucionalización. Conclusiones: Los modelos in vitro evidencian de forma clara la actividad biológica de las HD superiores al número de Avogadro y dan cuenta de los efectos encontrados en la práctica clínica. La mayor parte de los estudios fueron realizados en países en donde la homeopatía es reconocida oficialmente, lo cual facilita el acceso a recursos para el desarrollo de la investigación.

the effects of homeopathic high dilutions (HDs) are controversial because they exceed Avogadro's number. Aim: to perform a literature review on the effects of HDs on in vitro models. Methods: a systematic search was performed in database PubMed for studies assessing simple HDs on in vitro models published from 2007 onward. Results: 28 publications met the inclusion/exclusion criteria; 26 studies demonstrated patent effects of simple HDs on in vitro models; most such studies were conducted in countries where homeopathy attained a high level of institutionalization. Conclusions: in vitro models patently evidence biological activity of HDs above Avogadro's number and account for effects found in clinical practice. Most studies were conducted in countries where homeopathy is officially recognized, which facilitates access to resources for the development of research.

Investigación clínica en homeopatía: revisiones sistemáticas y estudios clínicos aleatorizados / Clinical research in homeopathy: systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials

Se considera que las revisiones sistemáticas y estudios clínicos aleatorizados (RCT) presentan el nivel de evidencia más alto. Objetivo: Realizar una revisión descriptiva de las revisiones sistemáticas y estudios clínicos controlados aleatorizados (RCT, por sus siglas en inglés) sobre la efectividad y eficacia de la homeopatía. Métodos: Los datos del reporte publicado por la Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis (LMHI) en 2014 fueron actualizados mediante una búsqueda en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: Se localizaron 7 revisiones sistemáticas con meta-análisis, 6 de las cuales concluyeron que los efectos de la homeopatía no son compatibles con el efecto placebo; sólo una revisión sistemática llegó a la conclusión opuesta, aunque fue severamente criticado debido a sus errores metodológicos. Un total de 19 RCT fueron publicados a lo largo del periodo analizado. El 84.2% tuvo por lo menos un resultado positivo. Conclusiones: Con base en las evidencias disponibles del más alto nivel, no es posible afirmar que los efectos de la homeopatía son exclusivamente un efecto placebo. Por el contrario, se han detectado efectos específicos en varios estudios.

Systematic reviews and randomized clinical trials (RCT) are considered to have the highest level of evidence. Aim: To perform a descriptive review of systematic reviews and RCT on the effectiveness and efficacy of homeopathy. Methods: Data from the report published by Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis (LMHI) in 2014 were updated by means on a search conducted in database PubMed. Results: 7 systematic reviews with meta-analysis were located, 6 of them concluded that the effects of homeopathy are not compatible with placebo effect; only 1 systematic review arrived to the opposite conclusion, but was severely criticized due to methodological flaws. A total of 19 RCT were published along the analyzed period; 84.2% had at least one positive outcome. Conclusions: Based on the available evidences of the highest level it is not possible to assert that the effects of homeopathic are exclusively placebo effect. On the opposite, specific effects were detected in several studies.

A cadeia produtiva do conhecimento Homeopático

A Contextualização filosófica da construção do saber Homeopático por seu criador Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann. Palestra com Dr. Marcelo Pustiglione

Carcinosinumproduces phenotypic changes of 4T1 tumor cells in vitro

Considering that there are few published studies that specifically address the exclusive use of Carcinosinumin different potencies and, most of them focused on genotypic and clinical effects, the present study was proposed to identify possible phenotypic changes, including viability, expression of HER-2 and metastatic abilities, using 4T1 cells in vitroas a model. Carcinosinum was tested in different homeopathic potencies (12cH; 30cH; 200cH) mechanically prepared using sterile pure water. The time space between preparing the potencies and using them was 24 hours.The final dilutions were inserted into the culture medium in a volume equal to 10%, at the time of cell seeding. The same succussed vehicle used to prepare the drugs (70% ethanol) diluted 1:100 in sterile pure water was used as control. All treated cells were cultured in 25 mL flasks, with cell density of 5 x 105cells/mL. After 24 hours of treatment, cells were analyzed for apoptosis index using Annexin V kit and the Countess® system. The morphology of 4T1 cells was monitored by staining cell smears with hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa methods. HER-2 expression was assessed by immunocytochemistry and metalloproteinase activity was assessed by zymography. The determination of the cytokine profile was performed using Cytometric Bead Array (CBA). The samples were evaluated in quadruplicate and the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Carcinosinum30cH presented the highest apoptotic index and reduction of MMP-9-Pro expression; Carcinosinum200cH produced the highest positivity for HER-2 and no specific effect was seen after the treatment with Carcinosinum12cH. No change in cytokine expression was seen among treatments. We conclude that Carcinosinum30cH and 200cH can change phenotypic features important totumor development in vitro. The clinical meaning of these data deserves further investigation.

Formation of Self-organized Structures in Drying Droplets: a Promising Analytical Tool for Homeopathy Basic Research

The droplet evaporation method (DEM) is based on the evaporation-induced pattern formation in droplets and is applied mainly for medical diagnosis[1].Here, we present aseries of experiments performed by our team showing DEMs potential also forhomeopathy basic research, in particular, for the investigation of(i) low potencies, (ii) low potency complexes (physical model), and (iii) the action of high potencies (plant-based model).Methods:(i) DEM differentiated significantly between Luffa, Baptisia, Echinacea, and Spongiauntil 4x[2]. Furthermore, the patterns varied in function of the numberof succussion strokes (0, 10, or 100) applied during potentization[3]. The performance of chaotic succussions vs. laminar flow vs. slight mixing during the potentization of Viscum album quercus3x influenced the DEM patterns; the chaotic succussions reduced, whereas laminar flow enhanced the patterns complexity vs. the unsuccussed control.(ii) The addition of Mercurius bijodatus9x to Luffa4x changed significantly the DEM patterns, even if the material quantity present in the 9x potency lied far beyond that of ultrapure water.(iii) Leakages obtained by placing healthy or arsenic-damaged wheat-seeds into Arsenicum album45x orheat-damaged intoZincum metallicum30c vs. water created significantly different DEM structures [4, 5]. Results:The damaged seeds put into the potency created structures characterized by a higher complexity than those obtained from damaged seeds put into control water. Furthermore, the potency action seemed to increase with rising numbers ofsuccussion strokes applied during potentization,ascould be shown by means of DEM patterns and germination rate using the same wheat-seed model[6].In all our studies, the pattern evaluation was computerized (texture and fractal analysis performed by means of ImageJ) or based on deep-learning algorithms and the robustness of the experimental system was checked by means of systematic control experiments.Conclusion:DEM together with other similarmethods has also been reviewed by our team for what concerns theapplication in homeopathy basic research[7].

Bioactive compounds in aqueous extracts of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) cultivated in Mexico

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a plant in the family of Lamiaceae. In Mexican traditional medicine it is used to alleviate gastrointestinal and hepatic problems. Studies carried out mainly in ethanolic and methanolic extracts, have revealed the presence of diverse compounds to which those medicinal properties are attributed. The objective of this research work was to extract in aqueous solution the antioxidants present in lemon balm and identify them through HPLC-MS. A Box-Behnken design was applied to determine the physical conditions of antioxidant extraction, where the analyzed variables were time, temperature and sample quantity. The antioxidant activity was determined through methodologies of DPPH*, FRAP and total phenolics. The aqueous solution with the highest antioxidant activity was analyzed through HPLC-MS. The results showed that the interaction temperature-time has a positive influence on the liberation of antioxidants. The best condition for a conventional extraction of antioxidants was 90°C, 15 min and 2 g of sample. Higher correlations were observed at r2>0.6 between determined antioxidant activity by DPPH* (or FRAP) vs Total phenolics; this would indicate that such activity could be attributed to phenolic compounds whose presence was confirmed through an analysis by HPLC-MS(AU)

El toronjil (Melissa officinalis) es una planta de la familia Lamiaceae. En la medicina tradicional mexicana es utilizado para aliviar problemas gastrointestinales y hepáticos. Algunos estudios realizados con extractos etanólicos y metanólicos de dicha planta, han revelado la presencia de diversos compuestos a los que se les atribuye sus propiedades medicinales. El objetivo de esta investigación fue extraer en solución acuosa los antioxidantes presentes en el toronjil e identificarlos a través de HPLC-MS. Para ello, se aplicó un diseño de experimentos Box-Behnken a fin de determinar las condiciones físicas de extracción de antioxidantes; las variables analizadas fueron tiempo, temperatura y cantidad de muestra. La actividad antioxidante fue determinada a través de las metodologías de DPPH*, FRAP y fenoles totales. El extracto acuoso con la mayor actividad antioxidante fue analizado mediante HPLCMS. Los resultados mostraron que la interacción tiempotemperatura tuvo una influencia positiva en la liberación de antioxidantes. La mejor condición para la extracción de antioxidantes presentes en el toronjil fue 90°C, 15 min y 2 g de muestra. Correlaciones superiores a r2>0.6 fueron determinadas entre la actividad antioxidante medida por DPPH* (o FRAP) vs Fenoles totales; esto podría indicar que la actividad antioxidante encontrada podría atribuirse a compuestos de tipo fenólico cuya presencia fue confirmada por el análisis en HPLC-MS(AU)

Research in Homoeopathy 2017

Documentary film by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, on research in homoeopathy in India, containing the speech of several researchers in the area.

Rachel Roberts - Full scientific analysis of the Australian Report: an in-depth analysis of the highly influencial 2015 overview report on Homeopathy. Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy. HRI Research Conference 3rd, Malta.

Dr Rachel Roberts, Executive Director of HRI, presents a comprehensive scientific review of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Report, NHMRC, produced between 2010/2015 on homeopathy, whose conclusions were that there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective. Dr. Rachel exposes evidence of prejudice, misconception and bad practice in this highly influential and controversial report, which was also challenged by other researchers.

Prof Leoni Villano Bonamin - Research results

Prof Leoni Villano Bonamin of the Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil, explains about the elaborated research, mainly with animals, and the results obtained on the use and action of homeopathy.

Dr Concepcion Campa Huergo - Creator of meningitis B vaccine explains her passion for homeopathy

Dr Conception Campa Huergo, Director General of the Finlay Institute, Cuba, Lead scientist of the team that developed the meningitis B vaccine VA-MENGOC-BC® 20 years ago, talks about her passion for developing new homeopathic alternatives to conventional vaccines, homoprophylaxis. It shows an example of Brazil in Curitiba, where the traditional or allophatic vaccine against meningitis B was used, and the effectiveness of the vaccine was observed comparing with other regions of the country. The explanation was that in this region a homeopathic vaccine was used together with the allophatic vaccine and with this there was a dynamization of the traditional vaccine. Dr. Conception also explains the economic impacts of homoprophylaxis.

Dr Clare Relton - The future for homeopathy research

Dr Clare Relton talks on her perspectives for the future of homeopathy research.

Dr Peter Fisher - Model validity, plausibility and research in CAM

Dr Peter Fisher talks on model validity, plausibility and research in CAM ( Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Dr Stephan Baumgartner - The future focus for homeopathy research

Dr. Stephan Baumgartner explains about the importance of research in homeopathy, mentions examples of research being conducted that prove the effectiveness of homeopathy use.

Dr Elio Rossi - Cost benefit and scaling the Tuscany model in other regions.

Dr. Elio Rossi, Director of Homeopathic Clinic Field Mars Provincial Hospital, Lucca, Italy, describes the results obtained in the use of homeopathy in the treatment of some diseases, compared with conventional treatment. It shows the cost-benefit obtained and the potential of the model used and the possibilities and advantages of expanding the experience in Tuscany, Italy, to other regions and countries.

Dr Clare Relton - Trial design in homeopathy and CAM.

It describes about research in homeopathy, trial designs and available information on the subject, mainly clinical trials and the database CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

Dr Elizabeth Thompson - HRI

Dr Elizabeth Thompson, Lider Clinician and Academic Director Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, UK, talks about the importance of research and studies done on the use of homeopathy during the HRI Research Conference, 1st Barcelona, ​​2013.

David Eyles - Research informing farming practices

Describes and explains how research in and use of homeopathy contributes to good agricultural practices and good animal health, such as sheep and others.