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Homeopathic nosodes in the treatment of viral infections

Principal Investigator: Radha K Maheshwari PhD

Affiliations: Professor of Pathology, USUHS, Bethesda MD

Background: The basis of hormesis and homeopathy relates to the fact that ultra-low level exposure to stressors can induce both general and specific protective effects in various experimental models. It has been shown that the administration of serially agitated dilutions of infectious tissue, nosodes, can protect to subsequent exposure to high doses of inoculum. Thus, the use of nosodes may be a mechanism that can prevent the spread of epidemic diseases, including those that might occur from bioterrorism and biowarfare. This study will use three viruses, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), Semliki Forest virus (SFV), and Encephalomyelitis (EMC) viruses, that could be used in bioterrorism and are also related to the West Nile Virus that is currently spreading across the United States. Thus it has both military and civilian implications.

Hypotheses: Homeopathic nosodes can protect animals against the associated mortality, viral titer kinectics, pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurodegeneration associated with three virulent viruses. Enhanced neuroinvasion and increased susceptibility to thee virulent viruses caused by chemical treatment can be reversed by homeopathic nosodes?

Methods and materials: Homeopathic nosodes of three virulent viruses will be prepared from mice brain homogenates. These nosodes will be administered to animals challenged with the viruses both after the inoculation and as preventive pretreatment. Data will be obtained from tissue collection, viral titrations, proinflammatory cytokines assays and histopathology sections. This will be followed by the use of homeopathic nosodes to attempt reversal of the adverse effects of these viruses when enhanced infection is induced by treatment with cadmium, tunicamycin or pyrdiostigmine bromide.

Anticipated results: There will be alterations in the morbidity and mortality patterns secondary to a protective effect of the homeopathic nosodes in both of these experimental approaches.

Relationship to SIIB mission and healing: If successful, these studies will identify new therapies for the prevention and the treatment of viral infections, and perhaps inflammatory diseases in general. This would be particularly pertinent at a time in our history when we are confronted with new infectious diseases, increased potential of bioterrorism threats, treatment-resistant organisms are emerging in the absence of effective conventional vaccines.