The primary physico-chemical mechanism for the beneficial biological/medical effects of negative air ions

Abstract

The primary chemical mechanism of the beneficial medical/biological action of negative air ions necessary for life was studied. Air ion deficiency is the cause of many illnesses and treatment with air ion inhalation is effective in many cases. However, its application is limited by the absence of knowledge of the primary mechanism of its action. The superoxide anion O 2 was detected in the flow of negative air ions generated by an electroeffluvial air ionizer. Earlier, the appearance of hydrogen peroxide in solutions treated with air ions was shown. The presence of these reactive oxygen species in ultralow and low concentrations (10 12-10 6 M) suggested that the primary mechanism for the beneficial medical/biological action of negative air ions is moderate activation of free radical peroxidative oxidation within a physiological range that is lower than in tissues under pathology. It was shown in patients that treatment with inhalation of negative air ions did not induce pathological changes in superoxide dismutase activity and, under simultaneous administration of a food antioxidant, led to its mild increase. The latter, along with some previous results, supports the proposed mechanism. In addition, taking the proposed mechanism into consideration, air ion doses for treatment can be selected on an individual basis and should depend on the redox state of the patient. This should achieve better results for medical treatment with ionized air.

Bactericidal Action of the Reactive Species Produced by Gas-Discharge Nonthermal Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure: A Review

“…Evidence for the generation of superoxide during negative air ionization is given by several authors [25], [66], [67]. Its generation in the corona discharge was suggested by the protection conferred by the enzyme SOD to bacteria exposed to negative corona [25].…”

“…Exposing the bacteria Staphylococcus albus in solution to the products of a negative corona, with an estimated generation rate of 0.3 mmol O 2 • − per hour, substantial loss of viability was observed after 2 h and total loss seen after 5 h. Addition of SOD provided complete protection from the corona treatment such that total viability was retained, suggesting the superoxide radical to be largely responsible for bacterial death. The accumulation of O 2 • − in a solution treated with an electroeffluvial ionizer was also measured using electron paramagnetic resonance and found to be in the region of 0.5−1.0 µm/min [67].…”

Effect of wall surface materials on deposition of particles with the aid of negative air ions

“…The typical lifetime of NAIs in clean air is approximately 100 s (Parts & Luts (2004); Daniels, 2002). Kondrashova et al (2000) indicated the beneficial biological effects of NAIs. Furthermore, studies have investigated the application of NAIs in hypertension therapy and the role of NAIs in promoting recovery from stress-and exercise-based injuries (Kondrashova et al, 2000;Ryushi et al, 1998).…”

Measuring Light Air Ions in a Speleotherapeutic Cave

“…In a number of medical research projects, reported for example in [15]- [19], it has been proved that light negative ions have a positive effect on human health and their lack results in fatigue, health problems, and reduced performance at work. For example, special ionizers were tested that employ the stimulation of plants placed in a salt solution with high electric voltage [20], and their influence and effect on the tracheas of laboratory (sewer-) rats were evaluated, together with an analysis of the state of their blood.…”