Bridging the gap between the homeopathic world and the conservative medical world – test case in rats

Sleep is an essential physiological process that underlies crucial cognitive functions as well as emotional reactivity. Thus, Sleep Deprivation (SD) may exert various deleterious effect.

In this study, we aimed to examine the adverse behavioral and hormonal effects of SD and a potential treatment with Cocculusindicus 30c (cocc 30C) – a homeopathic remedy.

SD was induced by using the Multiple Platform Method for 48 hours. The effects of SD were evaluated behaviorally (Pre-pulse inhibition, startle response, plus-maze and rotor-rod) at baseline as well as at 6, 12, 24 hours, and 14 days post deprivation. Cocc 30C treatment was administrated Per Os every three hours starting immediately after baseline tests and for a period of 24 hours. On day 14, blood samples were taken and serum levels of corticosterone, testosterone, serotonin and leptin were tested. We found that cocc 30C improved Pre-pulse inhibition 12 and 24 hours post deprivation. Likewise, cocc30C improved motor learning independently from locomotor activity. On day 14 though no behavioral effects were observed, SD led to increased levels of corticosterone and serotonin while decreasing testosterone and leptin. Interestingly, cocc 30C treatment has moderated these hormonal alterations. We conclude that the treatment with cocc 30C recovers both short-term behavioral and the long-term hormonal modulations following SD.