Dr Juby Antony
ABSTRACT
Free radicals are chemical species with oxygen containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons. They are neutral, unstable and highly reactive. Free radicals normally formed in the body is useful for immune defence and some physiological activities. But in excess, they may be very dangerous and harmful to the human body. To manage these conditions antioxidants, are naturally produced or supplied to the body by food or medicines. Antioxidants are useful to maintain the required quantity of free radicals inside the body and scavenge the extra free radicals. The Homoeopathic medicines have very strong antioxidant properties. This journal highlights the pharmacological action of Homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album as an antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory.
Key words: Homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Free radicals.
INTRODUCTION
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can form free radicals and this start chain reaction that damage cells. Increasing free radical production generate oxidative stress, that alter the cell membrane and damage the DNA, carbohydrate, lipids, proteins and lipoproteins in the body. As a result, oxidative stress by free radicals causes cell injury, leading to several diseases such as liver cirrhosis, inflammation, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, renal failure, neurodegenerative diseases etc. There are several observations that highlight the pharmacological action of Homoeopathic medicines on free radicals 1,2,5. In homeopathy, Arsenicum album is a solution prepared by diluting aqueous arsenic trioxide generally until there is little amounts of Arsenic remaining in individual doses. It is used by homeopaths to treat a range of symptoms according to law of similia. Pharmacological action of Arsenicum album is like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticytotoxic. Arsenicum is thought to occur throughout the universe. It is the 20th most common element in the earth’s crust, having a concentration of 1.8ppm.
ARSENICUM ALBUM AND ITS ACTION
Description
- Chemical symbol: As203
- Molecular wt- 197.841
- Common names: English-Acidum arsenicum, White arsenic, Arsenious acid
- German- Arsenige Saure.
- Prover – Dr Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann
- Arsenic is a metalloid; it is an element which resembles a metal in some respects.
- It is a white and transparent amorphous lump or crystalline powder, odorless but stable in air.
- Casually soluble in water and sparingly soluble in alcohol.
- Completely soluble in glycerine.
- Arsenic album prepared from iron, cobalt or nickel by baking at high temperature.
- Active ingredient is Arsenic Trioxide.
Mechanism of action
Arsenic interferes with cellular respiration by uncoupling mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by combining with the sulfhydral groups of mitochondrial enzymes, especially pyruvate dehydrogenase and certain phosphatases. Consequently, conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA is decreased citric acid cycle activity and production of cellular ATP is decreased. It inhibits cellular glucose uptake, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and further production of acetyl CoA. Locally, it causes irritation of the mucous membranes, and remotely, depression of the nervous system. It is excreted mainly by the kidneys(urine)but some part through faces, bile, sweat, milk, nails, and hair.6,7
Physiological action
It is poisonous and proves fatal when taken in physiological fatal doses, but acts as medicine when prepared Homoeopathically. Applied to the skin, arsenic acts as a caustic and produces violent inflammation with sloughing of parts. When small doses are taken internally it has a tonic effect upon the nervous system and circulation, increasing the flow of saliva, stimulating peristalsis and improving digestive and nutritive functions. Fatal dose cause red corpuscles of blood are decreased in number and blood become less coagulable. The nervous system is also affected with disorders of motor and sensory functions. Fatty degeneration in general, affecting kidneys, liver, stomach, heart, and muscles particularly.3,4
Mechanism of Toxicity
Soluble forms of Arsenic compounds are well absorbed orally and distribute to several tissues, and found in the greatest quantity in the liver, kidneys and spleen. It is found in the muscles, bones, hair, nails and skin for years. After absorption it is redistributed to the liver, lungs, intestinal wall, and spleen where it binds to the sulfydryl groups of tissue proteins. Arsenic replaces phosphorus in the bone where it may remain for years. While Arsenic does not cross the blood -brain barrier easily, it crosses the placenta readily and can give rise to intrauterine death of the foetus. In less severe intoxications it can cause respiratory distress of the newborn due to pulmonary haemorrhage and hyaline membrane formation6,7. Arsenic disrupts ATP production and forms free radicals by inhibiting lipoic acid and leading to cell death and organ failure.
Pharmacological action of Arsenicum album
Homoeopathic formulation of Arsenicum album has been reported to affect HT29 cells, it is a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line with epithelial morphology it has action on cancer cells. It decreases NF-κB hyperactivity, decrease TNF-α release in macrophages. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages/monocytes during acute inflammation and is responsible for a diverse range of signaling events within cells, leading to necrosis or apoptosis. Arsenicum Album act as a Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anticytotoxic and DNA repair potential 6,7. Ars alb was recommended as prophylactic medicine following the principle of Genus epidemics among population by ministry of AYUSH. Arsenicum album is well documented in homoeopathic literature to treat food poisoning, digestive, respiratory, liver disorders, inflammation, disturbed sleep, allergies, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Dosages
- Lower potencies are used in malignant tissues and blood diseases like anaemia, leukaemia, cancer, psoriasis etc.
- Higher potencies are used in nervous and mental ailments3.
Conclusion
Free radicals are molecule having one or more unpaired electrons. They are highly unstable and chemically reactive. They are deficient in energy. They attack and snatch energy from the other cells to satisfy themselves. So free radicals attack on healthy cells and tissue leads to inflammation, ischemia, cancer, and mental stress. Antioxidants are substance, that neutralize potential ill effect of free radicals. The substance that antioxidant ingested from foods or medicines, prevent the free radical damage in the body5. Homoeopathic potentized medicine Ars alb contain the active ingredient Arsenic trioxide which act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in degenerative conditions.
References
1) Rubin R, Strayer DS, Rubin E, editors. Rubin’s pathology: Clinicopathologic foundations of medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.P: 6-8
2)Mohan H. Textbook of Pathology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2018 Nov 30.P:33-34.
3) Patil JD. Gems of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. B. Jain Publishers; 2002.
4)A manual of materia medica therapeutics and pharmacology by Alexander L. Blackwood
5) Young IS, Woodside JV. Antioxidants in health and disease. Journal of clinical pathology. 2001 Mar1;54(3):176-86.
6) Paumier A, Verre J, Tribolo S, Boujedaini N. Anti-oxidant effect of high dilutions of Arnica montana, Arsenicum Album, and Lachesis Mutus in microglial cells in vitro. Dose-Response. 2022 Jun 29;20(2):15593258221103698.
7) Miller Jr WH, Schipper HM, Lee JS, Singer J, Waxman S. Mechanisms of action of arsenic trioxide. Cancer research. 2002 Jul 15;62(14):3893-903.
Dr. Juby Antony, MD Scholar
Department of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka.
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