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Homeopathy 2008; 97(02): 59-64
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2008.02.003
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2008

Changes of RAPD profile of Trypanosoma cruzi II with Canova and Benznidazole

Denise Lessa Aleixo
1   Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Fabiana Nabarro Ferraz
2   Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Carolina Sundin de Melo
2   Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Mônica Lúcia Gomes
2   Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Max Jean Toledo
2   Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Edílson Noboyoshi Kaneshima
3   Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Ciomar Aparecida Bersani-Amado
4   Departamento de Farmácia e Farmacologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
,
Silvana Marques Araújo
2   Parasitologia Básica, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
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Further Information

Publication History

Received28 February 2007
revised15 February 2008

accepted15 February 2008

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

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Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, involves immunomediated processes. Canova (CA) is a homeopathic treatment indicated in the diseases in which the immune system is depressed. This study evaluated the Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profile of T. cruzi under the influence of CA and Benznidazole (BZ). Mice infected with the genetic lineage of T. cruzi II (Y strain) were divided into 4 groups:

Infected animals treated with saline solution (control group); treated with CA; treated with BZ; treated with CA and BZ combined.

Treatment was given at the 5th–25th days of infection (D5–25). The parasites were isolated by haemoculture in Liver Infusion Tryptose (LIT) medium: at D5 (before treatment), D13, 15 and 25 (during treatment) and D55 and 295 (after treatment). DNA was extracted from the mass of parasites. RAPD was done with the primers λgt11-F, M13F-40 and L15996, the amplified products were eletrophoresed through a 4% polyacrylamide gel. Data were analyzed by the coefficient of similarity using the DNA-POP program.

163 markers were identified, 5 of them monomorphic. CA did not act against the parasites when used alone. The RAPD profiles of parasites treated with BZ and CA + BZ were different from those in the control group and in the group treated with CA. The actions of the CA and BZ were different and the action of BZ was different from the action of CA + BZ. These data suggest that CA may interact with BZ. The differences in the RAPD profile of the Y strain of T. cruzi produced by BZ, CA + BZ and the natural course of the infection suggest selection/suppression of populations.

Keywords

Trypanosoma cruzi - T. cruzi II - RAPD - Canova medication - Benznidazole - Homeopathy
 

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