Antioxidants in Homeopathy a revolutionary concept

A Revolutionary Concept, Evidence & its  Therapeutic potential.
Dr K M Nishanth

Abstract:
A clinical study was undertaken to ascertain antioxidant nature of homoeopathic medicine, which yielded promising results. Modern medical research has been quoted as evidence in their support. Free radicals are notorious substance produced in the cell, which damages normal healthy cells, causing cellular dysfunction and cellular death. Thus free radicals lay the foundation of sickness (miasm) and antioxidants erases the miasm. Anti0xidants are now widely accepted as antichronic disease as well as antiageing factor. This study aims to open the treasure of homoeopathic antioxidants for more detailed research.

Introduction:
The recognition of organic free radicals by Gomberg in 1900 and subsequent development in the realm of free radicals has substantial y contributed to medical science, for the whole new concept which indicates a possible contributing cause for chronic disease and its chronicity. T.F.slater one of the pioneer in this field suggested significant tissue injury in disease is brought about by free radicals. (i)
Free radicals are chemical species possessing unpaired electron that can be considered as fragments of molecules and which are generally very reactive. They are continuously produced in the cell as by products of cellular metabolism, either accidentally or deliberately. (2)

When free radicals are present in large numbers, they go on a rampage and damage normal healthy cells, laying the foundation of sickness. (Psora, syphilis, sycosis.) The presence of excessive amount of free a radical is called ” oxidative stress “. Oxygen is the most important source of Free radicals although most of the oxygen is excreted as Co2 other sources of Free Radicals include environment al pollutants, cigarette smoke, UV rays, drugs, pesticides etc.

Free radicals can disturb biological systems by damaging their major constituent molecules -lipids (polysaturated fatty acids). Proteins, carbohydrates and DNA. Free radicals attack the Polyunsaturated Fatty acids (PUFAS) present within the cell membrane and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. This is known as lipid oxidation (lipid peroxidation) as a result the structural integrity of the cell membrane is lost. Which, ultimately leads to cell injury and cell death. (fig.no.1) Similarly free radicals also damage the DNA present in the nucleus of the cell. Daily the DNA of each cell is attacked by free radicals about 10,000 times! This can leap to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. . But to defend these injuries, cells are in possession of enzymes and compounds to scavenge these free radicals known as antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent damage induced by free radicals and play a very crucial role in preventing or delaying the onset of disease. Possibly in chronic disease homoeopathic medicine enhances the scavengers (antioxidants) to minlmise the cellular injury brought about by free radicals in pathogenesis of vast number of pathological conditions like atherosclerosis (4), cataract, ageing (3), cerebro & cardiovascular disorders (4), Diabetes Mellitus (5), hepatocellular injury (6), skin disease, carcinoma (26). Etc.

A more detailed discussion of free radical biochemistry can be found in several excellent book on the subject.(7-10). There are a number of homoeopathic medicines where the active constituents of the medicine are scavengers (Antioxidant substances shown elsewhere in this paper). Many a homoeopathic medicine has flavones(11) as their constituent (crategeus, chelidonium, avena sativa) flavones are coined as antioxidants but the true nature and specific flavones are yet to be established.

Method & Material:
In Nambison’ s Homoeo chamber 35 Patients (12 acute & 23 Chronic in nature) were selected to be treated with Homoeopathic Antioxidants Some knowingly & some unknowingly.

Local antioxidant: Local antioxidant was directed to be applied on the affected part after thorough washing of the part with water, and then medicine was to be painted 2-3 Times a day.

Systemic antioxidant:
Systemic antioxidant was directed to be taken 15-20 drops in half cup of Luke Warm water 3 times a day. (Dose was titrated according to the prevailing Condition.)

Thorough surfing of homoeopathic literature was done to find out their active constituents and antioxidant nature, and then they were applied on sick due to their antioxidant nature and on some red line Indication.

Pre and post therapeutic evaluation was done on the clinical improvement and in some cases pathological investigations were done to ascertain improvement

Results:
Out of many known Homoeopathic Antioxidants only a few are being mentioned here, Calendula and Carduus marianus needs no say for their therapeutic potential as they have been used successfully over the years. Others being cerebro-vascular antioxidants had very limited scope in my study due to limited number of patients. But their antioxidant nature has been explained and supported with evidence.

Capsicum annum: (Systemic & Local antioxidant.)
Capsicum has ascorbic acid (0.1-0.5 %) (12) and carotinoids as its Active constituent. By the virtue of these capsicum acts as a potent Local as well as a systemic antioxidant.
Action as Local Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: -Locally capsicum Q should strictly be used in closed lesions since it produces deleterious effect in open lesion.

Used in following indication: (12 cases)
(a) Induration where suppuration was imminent.-7 cases
(b) Lesions of herpes zoster: -2 cases
(c) Lymphangitis: -3 cases
In all above cases capsicum Q considerably reduced pain and inflammation, had a soothing effect and brought about speedy recovery; possibly lessening Free radical mediated tissue injury.

Action as systematic Antioxidant: Capsicum Q & 6 CH was used in total – 23 cases of gastritis & Reflux oesophagitis.
(a) Cases in which endoscopies were done: 2 cases
(b) Cases of allied symptoms like precordial pain, heaviness & in right arm heart burn: 7 cases.
(c) Cases with raised serum cholesterol: 17 cases.
(d) Cases where patient were obese (BMI > 30) with weight above 70kgs -17 cases.
(e) Most of the patients were sedentary people (Businessmen, Officers and Retd. Personals.)

Fact, which was revealed during the course of treatment, was that (9) out of (17) patients with high serum cholesterol came within normal limit during the course of treatment, although initial fluctuation was noted. (Fig no: 2)
Along with capsicum other intercurrent remedies were used, wherever it called for. Capsicum has ascorbic acid and carotinoids as its chief constituent and ascorbic acid has been shown to substantially reduce risk for all causes of death. All cancers and cardio-vascular disorders. (4- 21)
Another study shows that combination of Vitamin C & Carotinoids (which are shown to be present in Capsicum.) Plus Vitamin E is first step towards IHD (Ischeamic heart disease) prevention and cure. Logically aiming at multirisk factor in the multifactorial multistage IHD so in this study it is evident that capsicum reduces the risk of CVD, IHD & Cerebro-Vascular Disorders by effectively bringing down the level of serum cholesterol thus reducing the risk of free radical mediated injury to gastric mucosa & other vital organs.

Fucus vesiculosus: (systemic antioxidant)Fucus ves Q was used in cases of Hypothyroidism although indication given in Materia Medica favours its use for Hyperthyroidism. Since Fucus Ves Q has high levels of iodine (11), which acts as replacement therapy in Hypothyroidism.

Diagnostic test :- T3, T4, TSH
Total number of hypothyroid cases: – 9
Breakthrough achieved in 1 case in which lady Mrs. A. D. 46 year’s patient of Hypothyroidism who had to take Thyroxine 100 mcg twice daily was prescribed fucus ves q along with thyroxine, the dosage of Thyroxine was brought down to Thyroxine 50 mcg daily with considerable weight reduction of 15 kgs and marked improvement in allied symptoms. In other cases although symptomatic relief was obtained. Dosage of Thyroxine could not be brought down.

Fucus ves Q contains – carotene and research shows carotene is first line Antioxidant defence. (14-21). There fore, Fucus Ves Q significantly reduces the free radical mediated tissue injury in patients of Hypothyroidism & its complication.

Calendula: (Systemic & Local Antioxitant) (13)
Calendula contains carotene & Lycopin both are essential radical scavengers, (2) which reduces free radical mediated tissue injury. Calendula is a remarkable healing agent; in wounds delayed healing occurs due to repeated free radical mediated tissue injury at the site of wound. Thus application of calendula hastens the process of healing and works wonders.

Carduus marianus:(Hepatic Antioxidant)
Over the years Carduus Mar Q has been used as Homoeopathic hepatic tonic but only recently it became evident that its two major components protects liver from oxidative damage. In recent research it was found that Silymarin & Silybin (constituent of carduus) protects against hepatic Lipid per oxidation & irreversible damage induced by acute ethanol intoxication in rats (23.24).

Agaricus muscarius & selenium: –
Agaricus contains Selenium and Selenium deficiency is known for Nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) (2), which is oxidant stress mediated. Hence both the above Homoeopathic medicine could be used in NMD to curb the oxidant stress.

Discussion :-
Antioxidants were discovered long ago in 1900 but its medical Application has only recently drawn attention. Although Homoeopathic literature harbours and confirms Antioxidant nature of Homoeopathic medicines. This paper attempts to confirm it and shows a possible mode of action. Antimiasmatic nature of Antioxidant is obvious by its potential to prevent and / or cure  Chronic diseases like Metabolic disorders, Cardio-Vascular disorders , Essential Hypertension, Cerebro-Vascular disorders (Parkinson’s disease,  Alzheimer’s disease etc. ) , Cataract, Carcinomatosis etc. For authenticity more research is needed to use Homoeopathic medicine as specifically preventive against IHD, CVD, Carcinoma and other chronic diseases.

Acknowledgement:
The author likes to take this opportunity to heartily thank Dr.S.K.Mishra (Principal & Superintendent; Govt. Auto Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bhopal (M.P) INDIA  for his continuous encouragement and moral support. Author also likes to thank all those involved in the study either directly or indirectly. Last but not the least author is highly indebted to his mentor and father Dr.K.M.V.Nambisan for his able guidance.

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Dr.K.M.Nishanth  nambison
Govt. Homeopathic Medical College, Bhopal (M.P)
Chief Research Consultant, Society Of Advanced Homeopathic Medical Sciences, Bhopal
149, T-2; MOHINI APTS, INDRAPURI, BHOPAL (M.P) – 462021
Consult@nambisons.com