Abstract
M.Tech.
Coagulation or the formation of blood clots is the result of several complex interactions between humoral coagulation factors, platelets, and fibrin. Unnatural or excessive coagulation is inhibited by the fibrinolytic system. In normal homeostasis, there is a dynamic state in which thrombi are constantly being formed and removed from the circulatory system. Fibrin being the main component of a blood clot is formed by the activation of the clotting cascade. Its production is followed by the fibrinolytic system, resulting in plasmin generation and subsequent fibrin degradation (Soria et al., 1983). Plasmin is the enzyme responsible for fibrin degradation. It is derived from its inactive precursor, plasminogen, by the action of thrombin and plasminogen activators.
Homoeopathic Arnica montana is prescribed for pathological conditions that have a sudden onset, are traumatic in nature, and result from the complications of the initial trauma (Vermeulen, 1997). It has been prescribed for various thrombotic disorders and it is known that it speeds up healing and revascularisation of the surrounding tissue (Savage and Roe, 1977). It is a short acting homoeopathic medication, and needs to be repeated often, but it is quick in its actions (Gordon Ross, 1977).
This study aimed to establish if Arnica montana 30CH and 200CH potencies caused thrombolysis of a blood clot within an in-vitro sample. It was hypothesised that Arnica montana in 30CH and 200CH potencies would cause thrombolysis in- vitro.
The research sample group consisted of fifteen male participants, between eighteen and thirty years of age. Only male participants were selected to prevent any gender variables that may influence the study. Four blood samples each consisting of five milliliters was taken from each participant. Current and efficient phlebotomy techniques were used and the samples were placed in non-treated plastic phlebotomy containers to allow speedy clot formation. One sample was treated with one drop of 30CH Arnica montana and the other with one drop of 200CH Arnica montana. The third sample for each subject was used as a control where one drop of 0.9% sterile saline was added. Thus, consistency concerning diluting effects was maintained. D-dimer levels were measured using the D-DI Test from Diagnostica Stago, which is a rapid latex agglutination slide test. A semi-quantitative testing mode was used to gather the relevant research information.
The results of the study showed that in all the samples tested, no agglutination of D-dimers occurred. This indicated that if thrombolysis occurred in the samples, a D-dimer level well below 0.5 micrograms per milliliter of FEU occurred.
It has been established that as separate entities homoeopathic Arnica montana 30CH and 200CH have little or no direct effect on a clotted in-vitro sample. This indicates that if the medicine has thrombolytic properties, it has to utilize or activate other endogenous factors in-vivo. As these factors require the presence of vascular endothelium, it makes it potentially difficult to conduct studies due to ethical reasons.