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Homeopathy 2022; 111(02): 121-133
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729563
Original Research Article

Preparation, Standardization and Anti-plasmodial Efficacy of Novel Malaria Nosodes

Mansi Suri
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
,
Neha Sylvia Walter
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
,
Sapna Katnoria
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
,
Varun Gorki
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
,
Raj Kumar Manchanda
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
,
Anil Khurana
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
,
Debadatta Nayak
2   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
,
Upma Bagai   †
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
,
Sukhbir Kaur
1   Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
› Author Affiliations Funding The work was funded by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, under the project number 42/2016/17.
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Abstract

Background Resistance to artemisinin and its partner drugs has threatened the sustainability of continuing the global efforts to curb malaria, which urges the need to look for newer therapies to control the disease without any adverse side effects. In the present study, novel homeopathic nosodes were prepared from Plasmodium falciparum and also assessed for their in vitro and in vivo anti-plasmodial activity.

Methods Three nosodes were prepared from P. falciparum (chloroquine [CQ]-sensitive [3D7] and CQ-resistant [RKL-9] strains) as per the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India, viz. cell-free parasite nosode, infected RBCs nosode, mixture nosode. In vitro anti-malarial activity was assessed by schizont maturation inhibition assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Knight and Peter's method was used to determine in vivo suppressive activity. Mice were inoculated with P. berghei-infected erythrocytes on day 1 and treatment was initiated on the same day. Biochemical, cytokine and histopathological analyses were carried out using standard methods.

Results In vitro: the nosodes exhibited considerable activity against P. falciparum with maximum 71.42% (3D7) and 68.57% (RKL-9) inhibition by mixture nosode followed by cell-free parasite nosode (62.85% 3D7 and 60% RKL-9) and infected RBCs nosode (60.61% 3D7 and 57.14% RKL-9). The nosodes were non-toxic to RAW macrophage cell line with >70% cell viability. In vivo: Considerable suppressive efficacy was observed in mixture nosode-treated mice, with 0.005 ± 0.001% parasitemia on day 35. Levels of liver and kidney function biomarkers were within the normal range in the mixture nosode-treated groups. Cytokine analysis revealed increased levels of IL-4 and IL-10, whilst a decline in IL-17 and IFN-γ was evident in the mixture nosode-treated mice.

Conclusion The mixture nosode exhibited promising anti-malarial activity against P. falciparum and P. berghei. Biochemical and histopathological studies also highlighted the safety of the nosode for the rodent host. The study provides valuable insight into a novel medicament that has potential for use in the treatment of malaria.

Keywords

malaria - homeopathy - nosodes - Plasmodium - anti-malarial activity

† Professor Upma Bagai died on September 8th, 2018.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 05 November 2020

Accepted: 25 February 2021

Article published online:
12 November 2021

© 2021. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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