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Selenium has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possibly antitumoral action. Thus, we hypothesized that this element could be an ally in cancer treatment. We evaluated the effect of chelated selenium treatment of BALB/c mice with Erhlich Tumor on tumor size, histology, and biochemical parameters of the liver. A total of 96 male mice were treated for 7, 15, and 30 days with different doses of chelated selenium. During the 7 days of treatment, livers presented mild hydropic degeneration; after 15 days, the livers presented mild hydropic degeneration, inflammatory infiltrate, and steatosis, which was intensified in the animals treated for 30 days. Biochemical analysis showed an increase of the alanine transaminase enzyme in those animals, indicating hepatotoxicity. At the beginning of treatment, selenium was able to inhibit tumor growth. After 30 days of treatment, however, hepatotoxicity could be seen.

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Studies have shownthat homeopathy modulates the activity of both single-and multi-celled organisms;therefore, we propose a study into the action of Arnica Montanaand S. cerevisiae fungus nosode on growth "in vitro", and on the fermentation of S. cerevisiaeon brewer's wort. Methods:250 µL of medication in 30% alcohol were placed in 5 mL of Sabouraud Broth (SB) or wort, with 20 µL of fungus ata McFarland standard of 0.5 and in a dilution of 1:100. Fungal growth was evaluated via spectrophotometry at 600 nm or a cell count in a Neubauer chamber in a kinetic of 1 to 5 days' incubation at 25ºC. The production of alcohol by the fungus was evaluated using the BRIX index in the samekinetic. 1x107fungi/mL were previously incubated with medication for 5 days and, afterwards, placed in 20 mL of fresh wort, incubated at 25ºC for 7 days and evaluated for growth and sugar consumption. Resultsand Discussion: The SB results revealed that after 2days incubation with Arnica30CH, an increase in fungal growth was observed (p<0.0001), whilewith nosode 6 and 30CH there was a reduction in growth after 2 and 5 days incubation (p<0.001). The fungi incubated with Arnica30CH exhibited increased sugar consumption after 2 and5 days incubation (p<0.05), while the nosode 30CH resulted in lower sugar consumption after 2 and 3 days incubation (p<0.05). The results for fungal growth and sugar consumption with the wort were similar to those using SB.The fungalcultures previously incubated with homeopathic medication and subsequent incubation with fresh wortindicated a loss of distinction, bothin terms of fungal growth and sugar consumption. This piece of data may suggest action by the homeopathic medication only when in contact with the cells. Conclusion: The treatment of the S. cerevisiae fungus using Arnica and the S. cerevisiae nosode produced a significant modulation in fungal growth and sugar consumption.

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Homeopathy is a therapy that uses medications prepared with infinitesimal and dynamized dilutions. Current studies demonstrate in vitro activity of homeopathy on gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureusand Streptococcus pyogenes. Among bacterial infections, urinary tract infection (UTI) is frequent, leads to later consequences and the main causal agent is Escherichia coli(E. coli). In other publications, it has been reported inactivity of homeopathy on E. colicultures. Due to the divergence in the literature, the objective of this study was to evaluate gram-negative bacteria growth under homeopathy treatment. Methods:The medicines Atropabelladona, Cantharis, Staphysagria,and Colibacillinumwere tested at 6CH, 12CH and 30CH inE. coliATCC 25922 and EPEC (Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli) ATCC 43887. Two hundred and fifty microliters of the medicines in alcohol 30% were incubated at 37ºC with 3 mL of Müller Hinton broth (MH), 10 µL of cultures at 0.5 Macfarland and subsequent dilution at 1/10. Bacterial growth was evaluated in a spectrophotometer at 600nm, in the periods of 6, 12,and 20 hours of incubation. Resultsand Discussion:The results showed no inhibition of bacterial growth under the studied conditions. These data corroborate with studies already published that indicate the absence of action of homeopathy on E. colicultures. Considering other studies, it can be suggested that homeopathic medicines have direct activity on the growth of Gram-positive and not Gram-negative bacteria. Evaluating the two bacterial groups, it is possible to assume that the difference in homeopathy activity could be linked to differences in the bacterial wall structure. This hypothesis should be evaluated by other tests with the same bacterialstrains. Conclusion:The homeopathic medicines tested have no direct activity on Gram-negative bacteria cultures.

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BACKGROUND: Resistance to antibiotics is a major public health concern worldwide. New treatment options are needed and homeopathy is one such option. We sought to assess the effect of the homeopathic medicine Belladonna (Bell) and a nosode (biotherapy) prepared from a multi-drug resistant bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on the same bacterium. METHODS: Bell and MRSA nosode were prepared in 6cH and 30cH potencies in 30% alcohol and sterile water, according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopeia and tested on MRSA National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) 10442. We assessed in vitro bacterial growth, deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) and hemolysin activity, and in vitro bacterial growth in combination with oxacillin (minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC). All values were compared to control: 30% alcohol and water. RESULTS: In vitro growth of MRSA was statistically significantly inhibited in the presence of Bell and nosode 6cH and 30cH compared to controls (p < 0.0001); and with combination of Bell or nosode 6cH and 30cH and oxacillin (p < 0.001). Bell 30cH and nosode 6cH and 30cH significantly decreased bacterial DNAse production (p < 0.001) and reduced red blood cell lysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in vitro, reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic oxacillin. Further studies are needed on the biomolecular basis of these effects.

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Introdução: As bactérias são os micro-organismos com maior potencial patogênico para o ser humano. As infecções causadas por elas são na sua maioria graves e devem ser tratadas com drogas antibacterianas. Uma dessas bactérias patogênicas é Streptococcus pyogenes, causadora de diversas infecções, incluindo amigdalite, erisipela e ndocardite, sendo que em alguns pacientes ocorre febre reumática como complicação pós-infecção. Diversos trabalhos na literatura demonstram efeitos biológicos em bactérias após contato com soluções ultra-diluídas. Embasados nessas informações, propusemos avaliar o efeito dos medicamentos homeopáticos Belladonna (Bell), Mercurius solubillis (Merc), Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels) e nosódio de S. pyogenes no crescimento in vitro da bactéria S. pyogenes. Arnica montana (Arn) foi usado no presente trabalho como controle, por não ser, aparentemente, indicada no tratamento de infecções bacterianas. Materiais e métodos: Os medicamentos foram utilizados nas diluições de 12cH e 30cH, nas concentrações de 2, 4 e 6 gotas em 3 mL de meio BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) com 100µL da bactérias na concentração 0,5 da escala de McFarland. A solução foi incubada a 37ºC por 20 horas e submetida à leitura em espectrofotômetro a 600nm. Resultados: Os medicamentos nosódio e Bell nas diluições 12cH e 30cH com 2, 4 ou 6 gotas inibiram significativamente o crescimento in vitro de S. pyogenes, enquanto Arn 30cH na concentração de 6 gotas estimulou esse crescimento. Conclusão: Medicamentos homeopáticos podem ter ação sobre o crescimento in vitro de bactérias, sendo que essa ação pode estar relacionada a sua aplicação clínica.

Introduction: Bacteria are the microorganisms with greatest pathogenic potential for human beings. The infections caused by bacteria are usually serious and require treatment with antibacterial drugs. One of such pathogenic bacteria is Streptococcus pyogenes, which is associated with several infections diseases, including tonsillitis, erysipela and endocarditis, being that rheumatic fever might occur as a post-infection complication. There are records in the literature of biological effects in bacteria subjected to ultra-diluted solutions. On those grounds, we sought to test the effects of homeopathic medicines Belladonna (Bell), Mercurius solubillis (Merc), Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels) and S. pyogenes nosode on the in vitro growth of S. pyogenes. Arnica montana (Arn) was used as control, as it is believed not to have any effect in the treatment of infections. Materials and methods: The homeopathic medicines were used in dilutions 12cH and 30cH in concentration 2, 4 and 6 drops/3 mL of BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) with 100 µL of bacteria in concentration 0.5 McFarland scale. The solution was incubated at 37 ºC for 20 hours and read in spectrophotometer at 600 nm. Results: Medicines nosode and Bell in dilution 12cH and 30cH and concentration 2, 4 and 6 drops induced significant inhibition of the in vitro growth of S. pyogenes; Arn30cH in concentration 6 drops promoted bacterial growth. Conclusion: Homeopathic medicines might have an action on the in vitro growth of bacteria, which might be related with their clinical applications.

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Introdução: As bactérias são os micro-organismos com maior potencial patogênico para o ser humano. As infecções causadas por elas são na sua maioria graves e devem ser tratadas com drogas antibacterianas. Uma dessas bactérias patogênicas é Streptococcus pyogenes, causadora de diversas infecções, incluindo amigdalite, erisipela e ndocardite, sendo que em alguns pacientes ocorre febre reumática como complicação pós-infecção. Diversos trabalhos na literatura demonstram efeitos biológicos em bactérias após contato com soluções ultra-diluídas. Embasados nessas informações, propusemos avaliar o efeito dos medicamentos homeopáticos Belladonna (Bell), Mercurius solubillis (Merc), Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels) e nosódio de S. pyogenes no crescimento in vitro da bactéria S. pyogenes. Arnica montana (Arn) foi usado no presente trabalho como controle, por não ser, aparentemente, indicada no tratamento de infecções bacterianas. Materiais e métodos: Os medicamentos foram utilizados nas diluições de 12cH e 30cH, nas concentrações de 2, 4 e 6 gotas em 3 mL de meio BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) com 100µL da bactérias na concentração 0,5 da escala de McFarland. A solução foi incubada a 37ºC por 20 horas e submetida à leitura em espectrofotômetro a 600nm. Resultados: Os medicamentos nosódio e Bell nas diluições 12cH e 30cH com 2, 4 ou 6 gotas inibiram significativamente o crescimento in vitro de S. pyogenes, enquanto Arn 30cH na concentração de 6 gotas estimulou esse crescimento. Conclusão: Medicamentos homeopáticos podem ter ação sobre o crescimento in vitro de bactérias, sendo que essa ação pode estar relacionada a sua aplicação clínica. (AU)

Introduction: Bacteria are the microorganisms with greatest pathogenic potential for human beings. The infections caused by bacteria are usually serious and require treatment with antibacterial drugs. One of such pathogenic bacteria is Streptococcus pyogenes, which is associated with several infections diseases, including tonsillitis, erysipela and endocarditis, being that rheumatic fever might occur as a post-infection complication. There are records in the literature of biological effects in bacteria subjected to ultra-diluted solutions. On those grounds, we sought to test the effects of homeopathic medicines Belladonna (Bell), Mercurius solubillis (Merc), Gelsemium sempervirens (Gels) and S. pyogenes nosode on the in vitro growth of S. pyogenes. Arnica montana (Arn) was used as control, as it is believed not to have any effect in the treatment of infections. Materials and methods: The homeopathic medicines were used in dilutions 12cH and 30cH in concentration 2, 4 and 6 drops/3 mL of BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) with 100 µL of bacteria in concentration 0.5 McFarland scale. The solution was incubated at 37 ºC for 20 hours and read in spectrophotometer at 600 nm. Results: Medicines nosode and Bell in dilution 12cH and 30cH and concentration 2, 4 and 6 drops induced significant inhibition of the in vitro growth of S. pyogenes; Arn30cH in concentration 6 drops promoted bacterial growth. Conclusion: Homeopathic medicines might have an action on the in vitro growth of bacteria, which might be related with their clinical applications. (AU)

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