Research - Homeopathy + Nanomedicine
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NONLINEAR EFFECTS OF NANOPARTICLES: BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY FROM HORMETIC DOSES, SMALL PARTICLE SIZES, AND DYNAMIC ADAPTIVE INTERACTIONS
Iris R. Bell, MD PhD University of Arizona College of Medicine
John A. Ives, PhD and Wayne B. Jonas, MD Samueli Institute
Abstract
Researchers are increasingly focused on the nanoscale level of organization where biological processes take place in living systems. Nanoparticles (NPs, e.g., 1-100 nm diameter) are small forms of natural or manufactured source material whose properties differ markedly from those of the respective bulk forms of the “same” material. Certain NPs have diagnostic and therapeutic uses; some NPs exhibit low-dose toxicity; other NPs show ability to stimulate low-dose adaptive responses (hormesis). Beyond dose, size, shape, and surface charge variations of NPs evoke nonlinear responses in complex adaptive systems. NPs acquire unique size-dependent biological, chemical, thermal, optical, electromagnetic, and atom-like quantum properties. Nanoparticles exhibit high surface adsorptive capacity for other substances, enhanced bioavailability, and ability to cross otherwise impermeable cell membranes including the blood-brain barrier. With super-potent effects, nanoforms can evoke cellular stress responses or therapeutic effects not only at lower doses than their bulk forms, but also for longer periods of time. Interactions of initial effects and compensatory systemic responses can alter the impact of NPs over time. Taken together, the data suggest the need to downshift the dose-response curve of NPs from that for bulk forms in order to identify the necessarily decreased no-observed-adverse-effect-level and hormetic dose range for nanoparticles.
Source : Intl J High Dilution Research
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Highly Diluted Aqueous Solutions: Formation of NanoSized Molecular Assemblies (Nanoassociates)
A. I. Konovalov and I. S. Ryzhkina
Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences,
ul. akademika Arbuzova 8, Kazan, 420088 Russia
Abstract
Based on experimental data obtained using a combination of physicochemical techniques
(dynamic light scattering, microelectrophoresis, conductivity, surface tension, pH, dielectric constant, pola
rimetric measurements, atomic force microscopy, and UV and EPR spectroscopy) a previously unknown
fundamental phenomenon was discovered: the formation of nanometersized molecular assemblies (nanoas
sociates) in lowconcentration aqueous solution, which were prepared by serial dilution. The formation and
rearrangement of nanoassociates in solutions of different concentrations can be considered as a major factor
controlling the physicochemical and, probably, specific biological properties of diluted aqueous solutions.
The formation of nanoassociates is triggered by the solute under certain conditions, the most important of
which are the specific solute structure, the presence of external physical fields (geomagnetic and lowfre
quency electromagnetic), and the solution preparation procedure.
Source : Geochemistry International
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Advances in integrative nanomedicine for improving infectious disease treatment in public health
Iris R. Bell a,b,c,d,e,f,∗ , Gary E. Schwartz b,c,e , Nancy N. Boyer g , Mary Koithan a,d,e ,
Audrey J. Brooks c,e
a Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
b Department of Psychiatry, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
c Department of Psychology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
d College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
e Department of Medicine (Integrative Medicine), The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
f Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
g Private Practice, Rochester, NY, USA
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 nm 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.
Source : European Journal of Integrative Medicine xxx (2012) xxx.e1–xxx.e15
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Adaptive network nanomedicine: an integrated model for homeopathic medicine
Iris R. Bell1-4, Gary E. Schwartz2,4
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, 1450 North Cherry, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA,
2Department of Medicine (Center for Integrative Medicine), College of Medicine, The University of Arizona,
Tucson, AZ 85724 USA,
3College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA,
4Department of Psychology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Abstract
This paper presents an evidence-based model for the nature and mode of action of homeopathic remedies.
Recent studies reveal that homeopathic remedies contain nanoparticles (NPs) of source materials formed by “top-down” mechanical grinding in lactose and/or succussion (forceful agitation) in ethanolic solutions. Silica
nanostructures formed during succussions in glass and/or biosynthesized by specific plant extract tinctures also may acquire and convey epitaxial information from remedy source materials into higher potencies. NPs have enhanced bioavailability, adsorptive capabilities, adjuvant reactivity, electromagnetic and quantum properties compared with their bulk forms. NPs induce adaptive changes in the organism at nontoxic doses (hormesis), serving as salient, low level danger signals to the biological stress response network. Activation of stress response effectors, including heat shock proteins, inflammasomes, cytokines and neuroendocrine pathways, initiate beneficial compensatory reactions across the interconnected networks of the organism as a complex adaptive system. Homeopathic remedies act by stimulating hormetic adaptive rather than
conventional pharmacological effects. Updating terminology from “homeopathy” to “adaptive network
nanomedicine” reflects the integration of this historical but controversial medical system with modern scientific findings.
Source : Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar Edition) 2013; 5(2):685-708
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Testing the nanoparticle-allostatic cross-adaptation-sensitization model for homeopathic remedy effects
Iris R Bell1,2,3,*, Mary Koithan1,2,3 and Audrey J Brooks2
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
2 Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
3 The University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ USA
Key concepts of the Nanoparticle-Allostatic Cross-Adaptation-Sensitization (NPCAS) Model for the action of homeopathic remedies in living systems include source nanoparticles as low level environmental stressors, heterotypic hormesis, cross-adaptation, allostasis (stress response network), time-dependent sensitization with endogenous amplification and bidirectional change, and self-organizing complex adaptive systems.
The model accommodates the requirement for measurable physical agents in the remedy (source nanoparticles and/or source adsorbed to silica nanoparticles). Hormetic adaptive responses in the organism, triggered by nanoparticles; bipolar, metaplastic change, dependent on the history of the organism. Clinical matching of the patient’s symptom picture, including modalities, to the symptom pattern that the source material can cause (cross-adaptation and cross-sensitization). Evidence for nanoparticle-related
quantum macro-entanglement in homeopathic pathogenetic trials. This paper examines research implications of the model, discussing the following hypotheses: Variability in nanoparticle size, morphology, and aggregation affects remedy properties and reproducibility of findings. Homeopathic remedies modulate adaptive allostatic responses, with multiple dynamic short- and long-term effects. Simillimum rem-
edy nanoparticles, as novel mild stressors corresponding to the organism’s dysfunction
initiate time-dependent cross-sensitization, reversing the direction of dysfunctional reactivity to environmental stressors.
The NPCAS model suggests a way forward for systematic research on homeopathy. The central proposition is that homeopathic treatment is a form of nanomedicine acting by modulation of endogenous adaptation and metaplastic amplification processes in the organism to enhance long-term systemic resilience and health.
Source : Homeopathy (2013) 102, 66e81.
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A model for homeopathic remedy effects: low dose nanoparticles, allostatic cross-adaptation, and time-dependent sensitization in a complex adaptive system
Iris R Bell, Mary Koithan
Abstract
Background
This paper proposes a novel model for homeopathic remedy action on living systems.
Research indicates that homeopathic remedies (a) contain measurable source and silica
nanoparticles heterogeneously dispersed in colloidal solution; (b) act by modulating
biological function of the allostatic stress response network (c) evoke biphasic actions on
living systems via organism-dependent adaptive and endogenously amplified effects; (d)
improve systemic resilience.
Discussion
The proposed active components of homeopathic remedies are nanoparticles of source
substance in water-based colloidal solution, not bulk-form drugs. Nanoparticles have unique
biological and physico-chemical properties, including increased catalytic reactivity, protein
and DNA adsorption, bioavailability, dose-sparing, electromagnetic, and quantum effects
different from bulk-form materials. Trituration and/or liquid succussions during classical
remedy preparation create “top-down” nanostructures. Plants can biosynthesize remedytemplated
silica nanostructures. Nanoparticles stimulate hormesis, a beneficial low-dose
adaptive response. Homeopathic remedies prescribed in low doses spaced intermittently over
time act as biological signals that stimulate the organism’s allostatic biological stress
response network, evoking nonlinear modulatory, self-organizing change. Potential
mechanisms include time-dependent sensitization (TDS), a type of adaptive
plasticity/metaplasticity involving progressive amplification of host responses, which reverse
direction and oscillate at physiological limits. To mobilize hormesis and TDS, the remedy
must be appraised as a salient, but low level, novel threat, stressor, or homeostatic disruption
for the whole organism. Silica nanoparticles adsorb remedy source and amplify effects.
Properly-timed remedy dosing elicits disease-primed compensatory reversal in direction of
maladaptive dynamics of the allostatic network, thus promoting resilience and recovery from
disease.
Summary
Homeopathic remedies are proposed as source nanoparticles that mobilize hormesis and timedependent
sensitization via non-pharmacological effects on specific biological adaptive and
amplification mechanisms. The nanoparticle nature of remedies would distinguish them from
conventional bulk drugs in structure, morphology, and functional properties. Outcomes
would depend upon the ability of the organism to respond to the remedy as a novel stressor or
heterotypic biological threat, initiating reversals of cumulative, cross-adapted biological
maladaptations underlying disease in the allostatic stress response network. Systemic
resilience would improve. This model provides a foundation for theory-driven research on the
role of nanomaterials in living systems, mechanisms of homeopathic remedy actions and
translational uses in nanomedicine.
Source : BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012, 12:191 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-191
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Link to Supplementary References – Bell et al Homeopathy 2013
Extreme homeopathic dilutions retain starting materials: A nanoparticulate perspective
Prashant Satish Chikramane1, Akkihebbal K Suresh1,2, Jayesh Ramesh Bellare1,2,* and Shantaram Govind Kane1,*
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, Adi Shankaracharya Marg, Powai, Mumbai 400 076, Maharashtra, India
2Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, Adi Shankaracharya Marg, Powai, Mumbai 400 076, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Homeopathy is controversial because medicines in high potencies such as 30c and 200c
involve huge dilution factors (1060 and 10400 respectively) which are many orders of
magnitude greater than Avogadro’s number, so that theoretically there should be no
measurable remnants of the starting materials. No hypothesis which predicts the
retention of properties of starting materials has been proposed nor has any physical entity
been shown to exist in these high potency medicines. Using market samples of metalderived
medicines from reputable manufacturers, we have demonstrated for the first
time by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction and chemical
analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), the
presence of physical entities in these extreme dilutions, in the form of nanoparticles of
the starting metals and their aggregates. Homeopathy (2010) 99, 231e242.
Source : Homeopathy (2010) 99, 231e242
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Homeopathy emerging as nanomedicine
Rajendra Prakash Upadhyay1, Chaturbhuja Nayak2
(1) Department of Bio-chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
(2) Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi, India
ABSTRACT
Background: Homeopathy is a time-tested two-century old empirical system of healing. Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a characteristic process known as potentization, where serial dilutions are performed with strong strokes at each step of dilution. Homeopathy is controversial because most medicines do not contain one single molecule of the corresponding starting-substance.
Aim: To investigate a possible nanoscience mechanism of action of homeopathic medicines. Methodology: Ultra-pure samples were prepared and were examined under scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) along with selected area nanodiffraction (SAD) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Also trace element analysis (TEA) for silicon was performed.
Results: Homeopathic medicines showed not to be „nothing‟, but exhibited nanoparticles and conglomerates of them, which had crystalline nature and were rich in silicon.
Conclusions: During the violent strokes involved in potentization, information arising from the serially diluted starting-substance might be encrypted by epitaxy on silicon-rich crystalline nanoparticles present in the resulting homeopathic medicine. The „size‟ of the information encrypted on nanoparticles might vary together with the degree of dilution. As homeopathic medicines exhibit healing effects, these nanoparticles along with the interfacial water on their surface might carry this information - which biological systems are able to identify - to the target. As various forms of silica are known to interact with proteins and cells of the immune system, homeopathy might represent a nanomedicine system. Possible confirmation, however, requires further research in materials and interfacial water.
Source : Intl Journal High Dilution Res
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