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Experimental Research

1. In - vitro evaluation of Antimycotic potential of
     Homoeopathic  drugs against:

a. Candida albicans:

More than hundred homoeopathic drugs were evaluated for their anti fungal potential against pathogenic fungi. Thuja, Natrum muriaticum,Tellurium Petroleum, Mezereum and Sepia are found to have significant antifungal potential. Sporulation, spore germination and germ tube formation in respect to their anti fungal property are being evaluated and illustrated.

b. Different species of Aspergillus
    (viz. A. fumigatus, A.nidulans, A. niger, A. terreus:

Aspergilli are wide spread in the environment and are common inhabitants of soil. It is readily recognized that very large number of people, both adults and children are potentially exposed to such indoor and outdoor contaminants. Several studies have provided evidence for the association of cancer in human with inhalation of aflatoxin - contaminated dust it is now recognized that there are basically three categories of disease involving Aspergilli viz. Allergic aspergillosis, colonising aspergillosis and invasive aspergillosis. Treatment of aspergillosis with an antifungal drug such as amphotericin B is the first step of management but in neutropenic patients it is unsuccessful. Side effects and long duration of treatment may also not be overlooked and is suggestive of finding further nontoxic safe remedy.

In - vitro antifungal potential of homoeopathic drug Thuja occidentalis Q, 30, 200, 1M, 10M and 50M against Aspergillus flavus causing cutaneous aspergillosis and Aspergillus niger causing otomycosis in Human are evaluated by following food poisoning method by keeping three controls viz. - sterile water, rectified sprit which is used as vehicle for homoeopathic drugs and ketoconazole, a positive control. Thuja 30, 200 is found highly potent against Aspergillus flavus and 50M against Aspergillus niger. Percent growth inhibition, sporulation and exudation are taken as parameters for assessment. Results are reported for the first time and are discussed in relation to homoeopathic concept “Higher dilution and high energy”. Vital force concept requires updation in the term of energy quanta, their measuring parameters and constitutional suitability of potency to the patients and their disease.

c. Microsporum sp.:

d. Penicillium sp.:

Various potencies of Homoeopathic drug Thuja occidentalis Q, 30, 200, 1M, 10M and 50 M and Ketoconazole (a synthetic dioxolane imidazole compound - a broad spectrum antifungal) as positive control were evaluated by following food poison method. Thuja occidentalis 30 and 200 were found highly effective even more than positive control and vehicle. Linear diametric growth, sporulation and exudation were taken as parameters of assessment.

e. Paecilomyces sp.:

In - vitro evaluation of Antimycotic potential of Thuja occidentalis against human pathogenic fungi:

f. Curvularia lunata , Trichophyton sp. and Microsporum audounii:

Thuja occidentalis, a tall tree belongs to the family cupressaceae. Thuja is considered as antisycotic homoeopathic drug used mainly for wart like excrescences upon mucus and cutaneous surface, vegetative condylomata and spongy tumors. Thuja is known to contain oil of thuja, a thujol, flavone glycoside thujin and an acid called thujin. Antifungal action of Thuja occidentalis against Curvularia lunata, Trichophyton sp.. Microsporum audounii is already reported.

2.  Drug standardization:

Several experiments conducted for the standardization of homoeopathic drugs, and the changes induced by the methods applied for develop homoeopathic drugs, were not to the mark and are subject of further research. Problem of confusion in between two unlabeled drugs still exists and may not be identified correctly. In view of this problem the present paper explores their optical density as standardization parameters.

Sixty - four homoeopathic mother tinctures are evaluated for their optical density in view of their standardization. Optical density of homoeopathic drugs (Q) ranges between 0.02 (Avena sativa Q) to 1.5 (Ceanothus Q). Several drugs were found to have similar OD. A discussion on the known facts about their action was related with OD. Arrangement of all the fifty - eight mother tinctures are made on the basis of optical density, vital energy, their origin etc.