Antibacterial Activity of Homeopathic Medications Lycopodium clavatum and Arsenicum album Against Periodontal Bacteria

Abstract

There are several controversies regarding the efficacy of homeopathic substances; however, these remedies are used in many countries for the treatment of various pathological conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of two homeopathic tinctures Arsenicum album (mineral extract) and Lycopodium clavatum (plant extract) on the periodontal bacteria Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus sanguinis, Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Phorphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Materials and methods: Equal numbers of bacteria were seeded on agar plates containing enriched media with the homeopathic solutions at 1dH and 1cH dilutions. After 7 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions, colony forming units (CFUs) were counted. The antibacterial effect was calculated based on the total number of CFUs observed on non-tincture containing agar, and on the tincture containing plates. Results: No visible growth of any of the strains was observed on the plates containing Arsenicum album at any of the dilutions tested. In contrast, when Lycopodium clavatum at 1cH dilution was tested, only P. gingivalis was susceptible to this compound. Conclusions: The results suggest that the mineral extract tincture had a greater antibacterial activity than the plant extract tincture, also Lycopodium clavatum preparation could be an effective inhibitor of periodontal pathogens bacteria such as P. gingivalis.

Assessing the efficacy of homoeopathic medicine psorinum against Escherichia coli: An in-vitro analysis of antimicrobial activity

“…~ 78 ~ By reducing the growth of Aspergillus niger in an in vitro investigation, homoeopathic medications have proven their antifungal effectiveness [12] . Tinctures made from mineral extracts have stronger antibacterial properties than those made from plant extracts, and a homoeopathic preparation of Lycopodium clavatum can effectively control periodontal infections like P. gingivalis [13] . Additionally, homoeopathic medicines have shown in vitro and in vivo antiviral effectiveness against the BVDV-1 and BHV-1 viruses [14] .…”

An in-vitro study of antimicrobial activity of homoeopathic medicine pyrogenium against Escherichia coli

“…Homoeopathic medicines have demonstrated antifungal activity by an in vitro study inhibiting growth of Aspergillus niger [13] . Mineral extract tincture has a greater antibacterial activity than the plant extract tincture and Homoeopathic preparation of Lycopodium clavatum is an effective inhibitor of periodontal pathogens bacteria such as P. gingivalis [14] . Homoeopathic remedies have also demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity against BHV-1 and BVDV-1 viruses [15] .…”

In-Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Candida albicans Nosodes

“…Several homeopathic medicines (Aconite 30c, Arsenicum album 30c, Mercurius corrosivus 30c, Aspergillus niger) have been tested for their antibacterial activity in in-vitro studies. [25][26][27][28] This study presents the results of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay of a series of potentized (serially diluted and succussed), freshly prepared nosodes: namely E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Candida albicans nosodes, tested against their respective infection as well as cross infections. The MIC assay is an in-vitro technique to study the lowest drug concentration that prevents visible micro-organism growth.…”

“…Several homeopathic medicines ( Aconite 30c, Arsenicum album 30c, Mercurius corrosivus 30c, Aspergillus niger ) have been tested for their antibacterial activity in in-vitro studies. 25 26 27 28…”