Characterization of Antimonium crudum Activity Using Solvatochromic Dyes

Abstract

Background The mechanism by which highly diluted and agitated solutions have their effect is still unknown, but the development in recent years of new methods identifying changes in water and solute dipole moments is providing insights into potential modes of action. Objective The objective of the current study was to compare the biological effects of Antimonium crudum (AC) previously obtained by our group and already described in the literature with now measurable physico-chemical effects on solvatochromic dyes. Methods Different dilutions of AC and succussed water have been characterized with respect to their effect on the visible spectra of the solvatochromic dyes methylene violet (MV), a pyridinium phenolate (ET33), and a dimethylamino naphthalenone (BDN) compared with in-vitro action against Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages. Results Dye responses varied according to the dye used and the level of AC dilution and results were found to corroborate previously published in-vivo and in-vitro effects of AC. In addition, a very significant enhancement in the absorbance increase of MV was seen using the supernatant from AC 200cH-treated cells (15%; p < 0.0001) over that seen with AC 200cH itself (4%; p = 0.034), suggesting the amplification of ultra-high dilution effects by biological systems. Furthermore, supernatants from AC-treated cells increased the range of dilutions of AC that were capable of producing effects on the spectra of MV. The effect of AC dilutions on dye ET33 was eliminated by a weak electric current passed through potency solutions. Conclusion The data confirm a correspondence between the biological effects of dilutions of AC in-vitro and physico-chemical effects on solvatochromic dyes as measured by changes in their visible spectra. Results also indicate high dilutions of AC are sensitive to exposure to electric currents and biological systems.

Interaction between Solvatochromic Dyes and Water Sampled from a Natural Source Treated with High Dilutions of Phosphorus

“…18 Recently, correspondence between the effects of the homeopathic medicine Antimonium crudum on solvatochromic dyes and the effects of the same dilutions in an in vitro model using macrophages infected with Leishmania amazonensis 22 has been demonstrated. 20 This has opened up new avenues of study in the field of high dilution research and possible mechanisms of action, in which the effects of ultra-high dilutions on solvatochromic dyes could be considered as a physico-chemical indicator of their biological activity. 20 Moreover, this correspondence was in accordance with in vivo effects of the same medicine.…”

“…20 This has opened up new avenues of study in the field of high dilution research and possible mechanisms of action, in which the effects of ultra-high dilutions on solvatochromic dyes could be considered as a physico-chemical indicator of their biological activity. 20 Moreover, this correspondence was in accordance with in vivo effects of the same medicine. 21 Similar correlations have been described using ultra-high dilutions of Silicea terra and Phosphorus.…”

“…A previous study developed in our laboratory on the physicochemical properties of the drug Antimonium crudum 19,20 has shown that absorbance variations of solvatochromic dyes presented a clear relation with the biological effects of this drug in vitro and in vivo. 21,22 These findings suggest that solvatochromic dyes could be used as physico-chemical probes of biologically active high dilutions of different substances beyond Avogadro's number, based on dipole moment changes.…”

“…The absorbance value at this wavelength was subtracted from the corresponding absorbance of dye solutions to which Phos 30cH, lake samples or controls had been added, following a standard method used previously. 20 Values shown in the figures are therefore delta (Δ) absorbance values. All analyses were performed in triplicate.…”

Silicea terra and Zincum metallicum Modulate the Activity of Macrophages Challenged with BCG In Vitro

“…3,4 Such medicines seem to present epigenetic effects since they are able to modulate intracellular signaling pathways [5][6][7][8][9] even though the nature of the involved signals has not yet been elucidated. [10][11][12][13][14] Macrophages play a key role in chronic inflammatory lesions and they have thus been widely used in experimental models to investigate such adaptive processes. 15,16 In addition, these cells seem to be highly sensitive to homeopathic medicines, [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] especially when exposed to biological agents that resist phagocytosis such as protozoa and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG, that is, attenuated Mycobacterium bovis).…”