Keywords
Minerals
Plants
Pharmaceutical preparations
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the toxicity potential of homeopathic medicines of animal and mineral origin. Methods: An integrative review was conducted by searching the Medline, Scielo, Web of Science, Lilacs, and Scopus databases, using specific keywords to identify studies published in the last 30 years. The selection of articles followed strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: One animal-origin article demonstrated the efficacy of homeopathics in specific conditions, with no clear evidence of toxicity. For mineral-origin medicines, three studies pointed to the safety of homeopathic treatments, including detoxification of heavy metals and the absence of toxicity in zebrafish models. Final considerations: Homeopathic medicines of animal and mineral origin demonstrated efficacy in certain conditions, with little evidence of toxicity. However, the presence of contaminants in some products highlights the importance of rigorous production and quality standards. Further studies are needed for a comprehensive evaluation of the safety of these substances.
References
ALENGEBAWY A, et al. Heavy Metals and Pesticides Toxicity in Agricultural Soil and Plants: Ecological Risks and Human Health Implications. Toxics, 2021; 9(3): 42.
BRASIL. Farmacopeia Homeopática Brasileira. 2020 Disponível em: http ://portal.anvisa.gov.br/documents/33832/259147/3a_edicao.pdf/cb9d58886b7c447bbe3caf51aaae7ea8. Acessado em: 29 de julho de 2022.
BISWAS S, et al. A review on animal-based homeopathic drugs and their applications in biomedicine. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2019; 13: 159-76.
CAZAROTTI MLB, et al. Prescrições Médicas Dispensados em uma Drogaria no Município de Santa Inés - MA. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Científico, 2019; 2: 326.
FUTURO DO. MEDICAMENTO HOMEOPÁTICO. Disponível em: https ://ares.unasus.gov.br/acervo/html/ARES/651/1/Medicamento_homeopatico.pdf. Acessado em: 26 de dezembro de 2022.
GUPTA HR, et al. Embryonic Zebrafish Model-A Well-Established Method for Rapidly Assessing the Toxicity of Homeopathic Drugs: Toxicity Evaluation of Homeopathic Drugs Using Zebrafish Embryo Model. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 2016; 19(4): 319.
GRAMS N. Homeopathy-where is the science? A current inventory on a pre-scientific artifact. EMBO Rep, 2019; 20(3): 47761.
KHUDA-BUKHSH AR, et al. A follow-up study on the efficacy of the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum album in volunteers living in high-risk arsenic contaminated areas. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011.
LAL RM, et al. Avaliação de segurança do álbum Arsenicum em estudos de toxicidade aguda e subaguda em ratos”. Toxicologia Internacional, 2023; 30(2): 233-47.
MILLSTINE D. Homeopathy. In: Mayo Clinic. MSD Manuals, dez. 2023. Disponível em: https ://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/integrative,-complementary,-andalternative-medicine/homeopathy. Acessado em: 1 de março de 2024.
PROUSKY JE. Repositioning Individualized Homeopathy as a Psychotherapeutic Technique with Resolvable Ethical Dilemmas. J Evid Based Integr Med, 2018; 23.
SALLES SAC. As motivações dos médicos para a especialização em Homeopatia. Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica, 2020; 29: 167-173.
SPIN-NETO R, et al. Symphytum officinale homeopático aumenta o torque de remoção e a densidade óssea radiográfica ao redor de implantes de titânio em ratos. Homeopatic, 2010; 99(04): 249-254.
SCHOOL OF HOMEOPATHY. Like cures like. Disponível em: https ://www.homeopathyschool.com/why-study-with-us/what-is-homeopathy/like-cures-like/. Acessado em: 1 de março de 2024.
SUNILA ES, et al. Dynamized preparations in cell culture. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2009; 6(2): 257-63.
TORRES SB, et al. Importância da atenção farmacêutica na saúde pública e o uso de plantas medicinais como recurso terapêutico por pacientes oncológicos: um relato de experiência. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Científico, 2023; 46: 14113.
TUMIR H, et al. Preliminary investigation of metal and metalloid contamination of homeopathic products marketed in Croatia. Homeopathy, 2010; 99(3): 183-188.
WHITMONT RD. The human microbiome, conventional medicine, and homeopathy. Homeopathy, 2020; 109(04): 248-255.
YANICK P. Detoxification breakthroughs for addictions & chronic toxicity. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 2001; 217: 93-93.