scholarly journals Challenging the safety and efficiency of homeopathy: Ignatia amara as an example, ants as models

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
 Marie-Claire Cammaerts ◽  
David Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Biological Models ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Homeopathic Drug ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Homeopathic Drugs ◽  
Orientation Ability ◽  
Specific Health

Homeopathic treatments are considered by the vast majority of the scientific community as non-effective, apart from a well-documented placebo effect. Nevertheless, some experimental results raise questions about their efficiency, and numerous practitioners still consider homeopathy as an efficient alternative treatment instead of usual pharmaceutical drugs. Homeopathy is thus nowadays debated among the general public, practitioners and medical schools, and is still used by many patients in search for “natural” treatments. It is therefore relevant to bring information to feed this debate and to investigate the efficiency and safety of homeopathic drugs. We examined on ants, used as biological models, the effects of a homeopathic drug, Ignatia amara, advocated to ease symptoms of stress. We tested the effects of thus drug on ant’s ethological and physiological traits (1) under normal condition, then (2) under a stressing situation. We found that (1) this drug was not without adverse effects but slightly impacted some ants’ traits; (2) this drug could reduce the adverse effects caused by the stressing situation. It nearly fully restored the ants’ locomotion, orientation ability, audacity, tactile perception, brood caring, social relationship, escaping behavior, cognition, and slightly the memory. No adaptation and no habituation to the effects of Ignatia amara occurred, and no dependence on its consumption developed. The causes and mechanisms of these effects remain unknown to us, but our results support the hypothesis that, in some given cases, for some specific health problems, and using adequate product(s) and dose(s), a homeopathic treatment based on Ignata amara extracts could help patients to recover from stress symptoms.

scholarly journals Brief report of the effects of seven human drugs studied on ants as models

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
Marie Claire Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
State Of Stress ◽  
Homeopathic Drug ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Gastric Hyperacidity ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
Green Clay

Since 2012, we used ants as models for examining the effects of products used by humans. Here, we summarize our seven last studies which concerned green clay, glucosamine, sildenafil, a homeopathic drug, as well as diclofenac, meloxicam and etoricoxib, three anti–inflammatory drugs. Green clay appeared to be an excellent product without adverse effects. In humans, it allows reducing gastric hyperacidity and should thus be used instead of aluminum hydroxide or calcium + magnesium carbonates which present adverse effects. Glucosamine was also safe. It only increased the ants’ locomotion and this effect might explain, at least partly, its efficiency. Sildenafil has many adverse effects, the cause of which being probably a decrease of sensitive perception. Such an impact may result from the activity of sildenafil: it inhibits phosphodiesterases and increases amounts of cGMP and cAMP. The homeopathic drug Ignatia amara, used for decreasing stress symptoms, had no adverse effects and unexpectedly reduced the ants’ state of stress. Even if its functioning stays unknown, this drug could help stressed persons. Diclofenac had several adverse effects and may lead to dependence; meloxicam had far less adverse effects and did not lead to dependence; etoricoxib had some adverse effects and did not lead to dependence. Obviously, meloxicam was the safest of the three anti–inflammatory drugs. Experimentation on ants can thus inform practitioners and pharmacists on potential harmful effects of products before providing them to humans.

scholarly journals Protective action by homeopathic drug Cina C6cH and immune modulator «Recombinant human INTERLEUKIN-2» against experimental trichinosis of mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Runeva V. Olga ◽  
Liudmila A. Napisanova ◽  
Vera K. BEREZHKO
Keyword(s):  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protective Efficiency ◽  
Sterile Saline ◽  
Homeopathic Drug ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Homeopathic Drugs

Trichinellosis caused by the gastrointestinal nematode Trichinella spiralis occurs in humans, domestic animals and wild animals. This heavy ubiquitous parasitic disease. The muscle phase of the parasite of difficult to controlling. Homeopathic drugs such as Cina have anthelmintic and immunostimulation properties. The purpose of this study was assess the protective efficiency of homeopathic drug such as Cina C6cH and Roncoleukin ® (recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) immunostimulation) against experimental trichinosis, that can affect the muscle phase of the parasite T. spiralis in mice. An assay was carried out on 30 white outbred mice. These were divided into tree groups of ten mice each. The group 1 were treated with the Roncoleukin ® (100 IU/per mouse in 0,2 ml sterile saline intramuscularly, twice with 48 hours intervals); the group 2 - desoldering dissolved in water Cina C6cH (under the scheme). The group 3 received 0.2 ml of sterile 0.9% NaCl. After a 21 day regimen, the groups were inoculated with a dose of 80 ± 5 units of Trihinella spiralis larva per mouse. After 90 days of incubation, the mice were euthanized and dissected for evaluation. The maximum protection was obtained in mice immunized with Roncoleukin ® (80,61%; 869,5±16,6 larva/per animal). The protective effect in the group immunized by Cina C6cH was of 36,67 ( (2840,5±183,3 larva/per animal)%. In control group invasion on muscle phase T.spiralis was 4485±430,6 larva/per animal/ In conclusion, the use of homeopathic drugs also reduces in the number of infective Trichinella spiralis larvae in mice and has a synergistic effect on the treatment.

Wood combustion particles induce adverse effects to normal and diseased airway epithelia

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 538-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Krapf ◽  
Lisa Künzi ◽  
Sandrine Allenbach ◽  
Emily A. Bruns ◽  
Ilaria Gavarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Wood Combustion ◽  
Airway Epithelia ◽  
Combustion Particles ◽  
Combustion Emissions ◽  
Specific Health

Particulate matter from direct wood combustion emissions and their subsequent atmospheric oxidation affects airway epithelia of specific health status due to a combined effect of several chemical constituents.

scholarly journals Side effects of the cough drug dextromethorphan, studied on ants as models  

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Marie Claire Cammaerts ◽  
Roger Cammaerts
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Limited Time ◽  
Biological Models ◽  
Therapeutic Doses ◽  
Orientation Ability

Dextromethorphan, the currently preferred cough drug, tested on ants used as biological models, decreased the food consumption of these insects, increased their sinuosity of movement, reduced their tactile (pain) perception, and impacted their social relationships. It did not affect the ants’ orientation ability, audacity, cognition, conditioning acquisition and memory. The ants did not adapt themselves to the side effects of dextromethorphan and became dependent on its consumption. The effect of the drug quickly and linearly decreased after weaning, becoming very weak after 4 – 6 hours and null after 10 – 12 hours. Dextromethorphan led to dependence, what can also occur in humans. Being safer than previously used cough drugs, dextromethorphan can be consumed for treating dry cough, but in order to prevent dependence, should be used only at therapeutic doses and during a limited time.

scholarly journals Use of secnidazole and homeopathy for giardiasis control in dogs

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. e2004
Author(s):  
Patrícia Glombowsky ◽  
Gabriela Campigotto ◽  
Maiara Sulzbach-Marchiori ◽  
Jorge A. Favaretto ◽  
Gabriela Miotto-Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
First Record ◽  
Beagle Dogs ◽  
Severe Diarrhea ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Homeopathic Drug ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Homeopathic Drugs

Dogs with Giardia infections have diarrhea that persists for days, even after treatment. We managed canine giardiasis using two distinct approaches: treatment with the antiprotozoan secnidazole alone; and secnidazole plus a homeopathic product that is indicated for control of diarrhea in dogs. Treatment I: Ten beagle dogs showed clinical signs of severe diarrhea. Their feces revealed large numbers of cysts consistent with Giardia sp. Therefore, we treated the dogs with secnidazole (10 mg/kg, single dose) given orally. Five days after treatment, all dogs were negative for Giardia spp. Treatment II: Three months later, the same ten Beagles again presented with diarrhea. Feces were collected, revealing Giardia sp. in all dogs. This time, we treated them with an antiprotozoan (secnidazole, 10 mg/kg dose) combined with a commercial homeopathic drug for diarrhea control (3 g dose/animal at 12 h interval). We found that three to five homeopathic doses were needed to achieve normal fecal scores in all dogs. After 5 days of treatment, stool samples had normal consistency and were negative for Giardia. This is the first record of using secnidazole to control canine giardiasis associated with homeopathic drugs to prevent diarrhea.

Use of Self-Medication with Homeopathy in Germany: Results of an Online Questionnaire Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 383-390
Author(s):  
Katharina Achstetter ◽  
Michael Teut
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Homeopathic Drug ◽  
Homeopathic Drugs ◽  
High Educational

Background: Little is known about self-medication with homeopathic drugs in Germany. The aim of this study was to gain information about users, sources of information and the selection process of the drugs. Methods: An online questionnaire survey among users of self-medication with homeopathy was conducted via social media and email newsletters. Results: A total of 665 users who responded to the questionnaire were included. Most of the respondents were women (92%) in their mid-forties with high educational status. In total, 43% of the participants reported a household member working in the health sector. Books (65%) and Internet (47%) were the most common sources of information. Consultations in pharmacies - with a mean duration of 10 min - were likely to be used (60%). Homeopathic drugs were mainly used in the potency D12 (55%), for a duration of 5 days, 3 times daily, with 5 globules. Homeopathic drugs were mainly used due to good therapeutic experiences in the past (82%). Indications for use were acute diseases (91%), particularly colds (86%), as well as chronic diseases (51%) and prevention (47%). The selection of a homeopathic drug took the participants 25 min on average. Conclusion: Homeopathic self-medication is understood by users as a resource to regain, maintain, and promote health. Further research about the quality and applicability of information for homeopathic self-medication is necessary.

scholarly journals Physiological and Ethological Disruptions Induced by a Mixture of Saccharose/Sucralose 99.5/0.5 - A Study on Ants as Models

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Marie-Claire Cammaerts ◽  
Roger Cammaerts ◽  
Zoheir Rachidi
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Biological Models ◽  
General Activity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sugar Water ◽  
Term Memory

Experiments made on ants as biological models revealed that a saccharose/sucralose 95.5/.05 mixture increased sugar water consumption, decreased general activity, precision of reaction, audacity, brood caring, cognition and ability in acquiring visual conditioning (short term memory), induced aggressiveness against nestmates, and slightly reduced tactile perception. It may not change the speed of locomotion and did not affect middle and long term memory. The adverse effects may be related to the strong sugared taste of the mixture (in presence of sugar and the saccharose/sucralose mixture, the ants slightly preferred the mixture) though it contains little sugar, and to the toxic chloropropanols sucralose may produce. When ants consumed again sugar instead of a saccharose/sucralose mixture, their aggressiveness rapidly decreased during eight hours and entirely vanished in 29 hours.

scholarly journals Awareness on the possible adverse effects of Garcinia cambogia: A scientific approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 120-133
Author(s):  
James H. Zothantluanga ◽  
Hannah S. Lalnunpuii ◽  
Hans Raj Bhat ◽  
Anshul Shakya
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Safety Issue ◽  
Herbal Product ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Garcinia Cambogia ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
The Family ◽  
Scientific Approach

The modern popular ideology is that plant-based products do not have adverse effects. Hence, people are fond of using herbal products of their choice to treat their own ailments or anyone else. As majority of the population are not aware of herbal toxicity concept, the use of formulated single or combined medicinal and/or nutritional plant extracts or isolated compounds to treat chronic diseases are increasingly popular due to the widespread concerns regarding the adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Awareness from the scientific community to bring society to its senses regarding the safety issue of a herbal product is rare. Garcinia gummi-gutta (more popularly known by the synonym Garcinia cambogia in commercial preparations), belonging to the family of Clusiaceae (alt. Guttiferae) is a popularly consumed weight-loss nutraceutical. This review aims to highlight the possible adverse effects of G. cambogia. For the said purpose, 147 articles were collected from PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar. Literature review revealed a plethora of beneficial actions. Investigational outcomes and clinical evidences hint the possible adverse effects likely to be linked with the use of G. cambogia. However, the use of G. cambogia as an anti-obesity agent is advisable as long as the therapeutic value outweighs the adverse effect.

scholarly journals Degradation of Antibiotics in Wastewater during Sonolysis, Ozonation, and Their Simultaneous Application: Operating Conditions Effects and Processes Evaluation

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Naddeo ◽  
Daniele Ricco ◽  
Davide Scannapieco ◽  
Vincenzo Belgiorno
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Treatment Duration ◽  
Advanced Oxidation Processes ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Simultaneous Application ◽  
Oxidation Processes ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Treated Effluents

Pharmaceutical drugs frequently found in treated effluents, lakes and rivers, can exhibit adverse effects on aquatic organisms. The present study focuses on the application of advanced oxidation processes as ozonation (O3), sonolysis (US), and their combined application (US+O3) for the degradation of diclofenac in wastewater. Under the applied conditions, all three systems proved to be able to induce diclofenac oxidation, leading to 22% of mineralization for O3and 36% for US process after 40 min of treatment. The synergy observed in the combined schemes, mainly due to the effects of US in enhancing the O3decomposition, led to a higher mineralization (about 40%) for 40-minute treatment and to a significantly higher mineralization level for shorter treatment duration.

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