Altered solution structure of alcoholic medium of potentized Nux vomica underlies its antialcoholic effect

Abstract

Nux vomica 30c, 200c and 1000c were administered orally to three batches of albino mice for three days. Six hours after the last dose on the third day the mice were injected i.p. with ethanol 4g/kg body wt. They lost their righting reflex and lay motionless apparently sleeping due to alcohol. Mice treated with three potencies of Nux vomica regained their righting reflex more quickly than the corresponding untreated controls. Each of the three batches of mice was tested twice for ethanol sedation, once with a potency of Nux vomica and another time with a placebo control. The time interval between drug treatment and control was 10 days. NMR spectra of Nux 30, Nux 200, Nux 1000, alcohol 30, alcohol 30 (unagitated) and 90% alcohol showed significant difference from each other with respect to the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of the deuterium nuclei. This gives a measurable physical basis of the effective high potencies of Nux vomica.

Animal models for studying homeopathy and high dilutions: Conceptual critical review

“…Nux vomica 30c and Nux vomica MT were able to reduce alcohol effects and voluntary ethanol intake in predisposed (susceptible) rats selected by the classical method described by Porsolt, in the decade of 60. 7,63 This data confirm the pilot results obtained by the same group. 64 The selection of sensitive rats as part of experimental design for studying high dilutions was first described by Cristea.…”

On the investigation of homeopathic potencies using low resolution NMR T2 relaxation times: an experimental and critical survey of the work of Roland Conte et al

“…Other authors have observed differences between potentised and unpotentised solutions using NMR spectroscopy 5 ± 13 and T1 relaxation times. 14 In particular, as mentioned earlier, Sukul et al 14 noted differences in the T1 relaxation times of deuterium (among all hydrogen-containing molecules, a small proportion will contain this naturallyoccurring hydrogen isotope in place of hydrogen) in potentised and unpotentised ethanol solutions with and without nux-vom. It should be pointed out that these authors used high-resolution NMR instruments which are far more sensitive to the subtle molecular changes in solution that might be brought about by potentisation.…”

“…More recently still, T1 values of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) in ethanol with and without Nux vomica in homeopathic potency have been used as a measurable physical basis of the effective of high potencies. 14 Thus, NMR should be a useful tool for the investigation of homeopathic dilutions. However, it is not known whether these workers used soda-glass or boro-silicate NMR tubes in their experiments.…”

Effects of potentization in aqueous solutions

“…Unfortunately, to the knowledge of the author, no comparable independent repeat measurements were reported in either cases. More recent NMR measurements involving potentizations of Nux vomica in ethanole were reported by Sukul et al 18 Mice treated with Nux vomica dilutions appeared to show a sig-ni®cant reaction compared to a control group. A correlation with the T 1 relaxation of deuterium in the dilutions was reported.…”