Abstract
M.Tech.
Haemostasis refers to the prevention of spontaneous bleeding and control of traumatic haemorrhage. The haemostatic mechanism consists essentially of two proteolytic reactions. The first is the clotting mechanism, the end product of which is thrombin. The second is the fibrinolytic mechanism, the end product of which is plasmin.
Snake venoms are rich sources of enzymes, which induce a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anticoagulant and haemorrhagic effects. It, has been established that Lachesis mutas, a remedy prepared from the venom of a pit viper snake of South-Arnerica, has an effect on the haemostatic mechanism. Lachesis mutas is used extensively in homoeopathy as a blood coagulator. The toxicologic symptoms of Lachesis mutas occur from the disorganisation of the blood.
This in-vitro study aimed to determine the effect of homoeopathically prepared Lachesis mutas 6CH, 9CH, 12CH on the coagulation of blood. Twenty volunteers, fulfilling specified criteria were recruited. Twenty millilitres of blood was drawn from each volunteer. The blood was then centrifuged and the plasma separated into five tubes. Tube one seined as the plasma control. The second tube contained saline, the third tube Lachesis mutas 6CH, the fourth tube Lachesis mutas 9CH, and Lachesis mutas 12CH was added into the last tube. After an incubation period of one hour at room temperature, using the Automated Coagulation Laboratory (ACL) analyzer, the following tests were run on each tube: Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT).
Statistical analysis revealed that the different homoeopathic potencies of Lachesis
mutas did not have an effect on the coagulation of blood when tested in-vitro, specifically regarding the PT and APTT tests. This study did not yield substantial results. Further in-vitro, as well as in-vivo, studies need to be conducted to determine the potential therapeutic use of homoeopathic remedies on blood coagulation.