Comparative efficacy of two microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, arsenicum album, to ameliorate toxicity induced by repeated sublethal injections of arsenic trioxide in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of 2 potentized homeopathic remedies of Arsenicum Album (Ars Alb)--6C and 30C--in combating chronic arsenic toxicity induced by repeated sublethal injections in mice (Mus musculus).


METHODS
Mice were randomized and divided into sets: (1) normal (control 1); (2) normal + succussed alcohol (control 2); (3) As(2)O(3) (0.016%) injected at 1 ml/100 g body weight every 7 days (treated); (4) As(2)O(3) injected + succussed alcohol (positive control); (5) As(2)O(3) injected + Ars Alb 6C (drug-fed); (6) As(2)O(3) injected + Ars Alb 30C (drug-fed). Cytogenetical endpoints like chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index, sperm head abnormality and biochemical protocols like acid and alkaline phosphatases, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, catalase and succinate dehydrogenase were studied at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days.


RESULTS
Compared to controls, chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, sperm head abnormality frequencies and activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and lipid peroxidation were reduced in both drug-fed series, while mitotic index and activities of glutathione, catalase and succinate dehydrogenase were increased. Ars Alb 30C showed marginally better efficacy than Ars Alb 6C.


CONCLUSIONS
Both remedies indicated potentials of use against arsenic intoxication.
Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India.
Pathikrit
P
Banerjee
Soumya Sundar
SS
Bhattacharyya
Surajit
S
Pathak
Boujedaini
B
Naoual
Philippe
P
Belon
Anisur Rahman
AR
Khuda-Bukhsh
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000818:Animals; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008940:Mitotic Index; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001152:Arsenicals; D008419:Materia Medica; D010087:Oxides; D002374:Catalase; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D000637:Transaminases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005978:Glutathione; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide