Advances in integrative nanomedicine for improving infectious disease treatment in public health

Abstract

Introduction Infectious diseases present public health challenges worldwide. An emerging integrative approach to treating infectious diseases is using nanoparticle (NP) forms of traditional and alternative medicines. Advantages of nanomedicine delivery methods include better disease targeting, especially for intracellular pathogens, ability to cross membranes and enter cells, longer duration drug action, reduced side effects, and cost savings from lower doses. Methods We searched Pubmed articles in English with keywords related to nanoparticles and nanomedicine. Nanotechnology terms were also combined with keywords for drug delivery, infectious diseases, herbs, antioxidants, homeopathy, and adaptation. Results NPs are very small forms of material substances, measuring 1–100 nanometers along at least one dimension. Compared with bulk forms, NPs’ large ratio of surface-area-to-volume confers increased reactivity and adsorptive capacity, with unique electromagnetic, chemical, biological, and quantum properties. Nanotechnology uses natural botanical agents for green manufacturing of less toxic NPs. Discussion Nanoparticle herbs and nutriceuticals can treat infections via improved bioavailability and antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Recent studies demonstrate that homeopathic medicines may contain source and/or silica nanoparticles because of their traditional manufacturing processes. Homeopathy, as a form of nanomedicine, has a promising history of treating epidemic infectious diseases, including malaria, leptospirosis and HIV/AIDS, in addition to acute upper respiratory infections. Adaptive changes in the host’s complex networks underlie effects. Conclusions Nanomedicine is integrative, blending modern technology with natural products to reduce toxicity and support immune function. Nanomedicine using traditional agents from alternative systems of medicine can facilitate progress in integrative public health approaches to infectious diseases.

Nonlinear Response Amplification Mechanisms for Low Doses of Natural Product Nanomedicines: Dynamical Interactions with the Recipient Complex Adaptive System

“…Homeopathic medicines have enjoyed widespread use in treatment of acute and chronic conditions, including infections [15,64,154] and cancers [20,109,172]. During over more than two centuries of real-world use, millions of people in many different countries have reported excellent safety, tolerability, and clinical benefits from these natural product-based nanomedicines [58,154].…”

“…Homeopathic manufacturing materials and methods are inherently "green" [15,16]. Previous papers have addressed the striking similarities between modern top-down mechanical attrition procedures for making nanoparticles (NPs) [17] and historical homeopathic medicine manufacturing methods and materials [15,[18][19][20][21].…”

“…Previous papers have addressed the striking similarities between modern top-down mechanical attrition procedures for making nanoparticles (NPs) [17] and historical homeopathic medicine manufacturing methods and materials [15,[18][19][20][21]. These similarities include mechanically grinding source materials in lactose for hours and repeatedly agitating ethanol-water solutions containing the source Citation: Bell IR, Sarter B, Koithan M, Standish LJ, Banerji P, et al (2013) Nonlinear Response Amplification Mechanisms for Low Doses of Natural Product Nanomedicines: Dynamical Interactions with the Recipient Complex Adaptive System.…”

“…Like modern manufactured NPs [13], homeopathicallymanufactured medicines in solution also can exhibit aging effects [9,14]. These nanomedicines are delivered either in ethanolic liquids or sprayed and dried onto lactose or lactose/sucrose pellets for oral administration.Homeopathic manufacturing materials and methods are inherently "green" [15,16]. Previous papers have addressed the striking similarities between modern top-down mechanical attrition procedures for making nanoparticles (NPs) [17] and historical homeopathic medicine manufacturing methods and materials [15,[18][19][20][21].…”

Role of Homeopathy in Integrative Cancer Care

“…Thus, they claim that all dilutions are only apparent and not real in terms of the concentrations of the starting raw materials [53]. Specific nanoparticle of the starting substance in homeopathic may treat infections via improved bioavailability and have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects [54]. Potentised substance may also change its own pharmacological effects while modulating host response [55].…”