Abstract
Abstract : Nanoparticles are microscopic materials which range in length from 1-100 nanometres (nm). Nanoparticles have unique properties due to their size and shape, which include an increase in surface area, surface reactivity, thermal energy and diffusion rate. Nanomedicine refers to the application of nanoparticles in medicine, particularly in diagnostic techniques and as drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles are ideal for this as they provide greater bioavailability, are more easily absorbed by the body and produce a therapeutic effect with fewer side effects. Laboratory techniques to create nanoparticles include the top-down and bottom-up methods. Within these two methods are various synthesis techniques for creating nanoparticles, including solid phase synthesis, liquid phase synthesis, gas phase synthesis and green synthesis. Homoeopathy uses the top-down method by physically breaking down the starting substance via the process of potentization. Homoeopathy is a branch of complementary medicine (CM) founded by Dr Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700’s. It is based on the principle similia similibus curantur, which translates to ‘like cures like’. Homoeopathic remedies are highly diluted substances which retain minute particles of the starting substance in the form of nanoparticles. The method used to make homoeopathic remedies is referred to as ‘potentization’ and includes trituration (grinding and serial dilution) of solid substances and succussion (violent shaking) of liquid substances. However, while homoeopathy has set guidelines for the trituration part of potentization, it lacks standardisation regarding the number of succussions which should be used. Iron (Fe) is a highly reactive silvery-white metal that easily forms compounds and alloys with other metals and has unique ferromagnetic properties which are stronger at lower temperatures. Ferrum metallicum, the homoeopathic remedy made from iron, can be used for a wide range of conditions when prepared in homoeopathic form. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of succussion on the presence, size and distribution of nanoparticles in Ferrum metallicum 30C, when prepared with 0, 10 or 100 succussions, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). iv This was a quantitative, experimental study performed at the Department of Chemistry, at the University of Johannesburg. Three batches of Ferrum metallicum 30C, with 0, 10 and 100 succussions respectively, and three controls of 43% ethanol with 0, 10 and 100 succussions respectively, were manufactured by the researcher. This was done at the laboratory of a registered manufacturer of homoeopathic medicines in Johannesburg. The researcher underwent training on the use of each of the laboratory analysis techniques. The sample preparation, experimental design and analysis of the samples was conducted by the researcher, under supervision and help of the laboratory technicians. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was conducted on two batches of samples. The first batch of samples showed contamination of the ethanol used to manufacture the test and control samples. The test samples were therefore manufactured a second time and TEM analysis conducted again. Additional analysis techniques were used to determine whether the first batch of test and control samples were contaminated and how the contamination had occurred. These analysis techniques included Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Inductively Couples Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). An analysis for zeta potential of the samples and controls was conducted to explain the agglomeration of particles. TEM photographs were analysed by the researcher, under guidance of the co-supervisor, using the computer programme ImageJ. The results for EDS, ICP-OES, DLS and Zeta Potential were generated by the built-in software of the analysis machines, either as graphs or as numerical values. These were then analysed by the researcher under the guidance of the laboratory technicians. A total of five experimental procedures were conducted. The results of the experiments showed that the first batch of test and control samples was contaminated as the ethanol used to manufacture the samples contained traces of iron and unidentified particles. The additional analysis techniques helped confirm the contamination, and it was discovered that purified water, which was used to manufacture the ethanol used in the study, is not completely free of particles. The second batch of test and control samples, manufactured with distilled water, which is almost completely particle-free, showed positive results. The presence of spherically-shaped iron nanoparticles was confirmed for the test samples. Batch 1, Samples 1 and 2 (Ferrum v metallicum 30C with 0 and 10 succussions respectively), contained nanoparticles which were evenly distributed and unagglomerated. Batch 1, Sample 3 (Ferrum metallicum 30C with 100 succussions) had nanoparticles which were smaller in size, greater in number and agglomerated. Batch 2, Samples 1-2 (Ferrum metallicum 30C with 0 and 10 succussions respectively) contained nanoparticles which were more defined in shape, with similar numbers and sizes, and existed mainly as well-distributed, unagglomerated nanoparticles. Batch 2, Sample 3 (Ferrum metallicum 30C with 100 succussions) had nanoparticles which were slightly less in number and smaller, according to the automatic analysis by ImageJ, and which appeared to be distributed unevenly in smaller clusters. The first batch of control samples contained a large number of unidentified particles. The second batch of control samples also contained particles, although significantly less than the first batch of controls. Overall, the experiments showed that the number of succussions given does affect the number, size and distribution of nanoparticles in a homoeopathic remedy. The results of this experiment help to support the current research on nanoparticles in homoeopathic remedies and help to explain the effect of succussion on the nanoparticles within the remedies.
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)