Action of antibiotic oxacillin on in vitro growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) previously treated with homeopathic medicines

Tânia Aguiar Passeti; Leandro Ribeiro Bissoli; Ana Paula Macedo; Registila Beltrame Libame; Susana Diniz; Silvia Waisse

doi:10.1016/j.homp.2016.10.002

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2017; 106(01): 27-31
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2016.10.002

Original Paper

Action of antibiotic oxacillin on in vitro growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) previously treated with homeopathic medicines

Authors

Tânia Aguiar Passeti

¹ABC Medical School of Santo André, Rua Principe de Gales, 821 Santo André, Brazil
Leandro Ribeiro Bissoli

¹ABC Medical School of Santo André, Rua Principe de Gales, 821 Santo André, Brazil
Ana Paula Macedo

¹ABC Medical School of Santo André, Rua Principe de Gales, 821 Santo André, Brazil
Registila Beltrame Libame

¹ABC Medical School of Santo André, Rua Principe de Gales, 821 Santo André, Brazil
Susana Diniz

²Department of Biotechnology and Pharmacy, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Silvia Waisse

³Outpatient Clinic, São Paulo Medical Association, Rua Diogo de Faria 839, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Resistance to antibiotics is a major public health concern worldwide. New treatment options are needed and homeopathy is one such option. We sought to assess the effect of the homeopathic medicine Belladonna (Bell) and a nosode (biotherapy) prepared from a multi-drug resistant bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on the same bacterium.

Methods: Bell and MRSA nosode were prepared in 6cH and 30cH potencies in 30% alcohol and sterile water, according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopeia and tested on MRSA National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) 10442. We assessed in vitro bacterial growth, deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) and hemolysin activity, and in vitro bacterial growth in combination with oxacillin (minimum inhibitory concentration – MIC). All values were compared to control: 30% alcohol and water.

Results: In vitro growth of MRSA was statistically significantly inhibited in the presence of Bell and nosode 6cH and 30cH compared to controls (p < 0.0001); and with combination of Bell or nosode 6cH and 30cH and oxacillin (p < 0.001). Bell 30cH and nosode 6cH and 30cH significantly decreased bacterial DNAse production (p < 0.001) and reduced red blood cell lysis.

Conclusions: Cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in vitro, reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic oxacillin. Further studies are needed on the biomolecular basis of these effects.

Keywords

MRSA - Belladonna - Nosode - Oxacillin - In vitro growth - DNase - Hemolysin

Full Text

References

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