Efficacy of a potentized homoeopathic drug (Arsenicum Album-30) in reducing genotoxic effects produced by arsenic trioxide in mice: II. Comparative efficacy of an antibiotic, actinomycin D alone and in combination with either of two microdoses

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether actinomycin-D (AMD), an antibiotic, alters the reported efficacy of a potentized homoeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, in reducing genotoxic effects produced in arsenic-trioxide-injected mice.

Design: Mice were separately injected with AMD, As2O3, and conjointly with AMD plus As2O3, AMD plus homoeopathic drug, AMD plus As2O3 plus homoepathic drug, and As2O3 plus homoeopathic drug in separate sets.

Methods: Several standard cytogenetical endpoints were assessed at different fixation intervals by adopting conventional techniques.

Results: Both Ars Alb-30 and Ars Alb-200 showed protective ability against AMD and As2O3 when injected individually, but this ability was reduced considerably in mice injected with AMD and As2O3 together. AMD itself had genotoxic effects, but also apparently reduced genotoxic effects of arsenic to some extent.

Conclusion: AMD reduced the protective efficacy of the homoeopathic drug against arsenic. This result suggests a mechanism of action for homoeopathy, as AMD is a known transcription-blocker.