Homeopathy 2006; 95(03): 136-143
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.03.004
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2006

Therapeutic and pathogenetic animal models for Dolichos pruriens

C. de Paula Coelho
1   FACIS—Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, Centro de Ensino Superior de Homeopatia IBEHE
,
V. D’Almeida
1   FACIS—Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, Centro de Ensino Superior de Homeopatia IBEHE
4   Laboratório de Erros Inatos de Metabolismo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
,
M. Pedrazzolli-Neto
1   FACIS—Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, Centro de Ensino Superior de Homeopatia IBEHE
,
C. Duran-Filho
3   Laboratório Universitário de Análises Toxicológicas, Universidade de Santo Amaro
,
J.C. Florio
1   FACIS—Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, Centro de Ensino Superior de Homeopatia IBEHE
,
L.M.C. Zincaglia
3   Laboratório Universitário de Análises Toxicológicas, Universidade de Santo Amaro
,
L.V. Bonamin
1   FACIS—Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo, Centro de Ensino Superior de Homeopatia IBEHE
2   Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Paulista
3   Laboratório Universitário de Análises Toxicológicas, Universidade de Santo Amaro
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received18 July 2005
revised15 September 2005

accepted22 March 2006

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The therapeutic and pathogenetic effects of Dolichos pruriens were evaluated using experimental models in rats. In the therapeutic experiment Wistar rats were housed in a heated environment (25±3°C) to induce itch, and treated with ascending potencies D. pruriens (6 cH, 9 cH, 12 cH and 30 cH), each for 10 days. The positive control group received vehicle (ethanol 30% in water). The negative control group received no treatment and were kept at a standard temperature.

In the pathogenetic experiment, all animals were kept at a temperature of 20±3 °C and treated for 30 consecutive days with D. pruriens 6 or 30 cH, or ethanol vehicle, or no treatment. The experiments were performed blind.

The statistical analysis used Bartlett's test, followed by ANOVA/Tuckey–Krammer or Kruskal–Wallis/Dunn. The results point to the existence of therapeutic effects, with inhibition of the itching, skin lesions and fur thinning produced by heat, more evident in later observations, with the 9 12, and 30 cH potencies (Kruskal–Wallis/Dunn; P=0.001). No changes were observed in the other parameters, such as open field activity and laterality of the itching. In the pathogenetic experiment, no changes were observed in any parameters examined. We conclude that the proposed experimental model demonstrates the therapeutic effect of D. pruriens, but not its pathogenetic effects.