Homoeopathic Medicine Arsenicum album, the prophylactic/immune booster in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album (Ars. alb) has been advised by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India based on the recommendations of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) as a prophylactic/ immune booster for prevention of COVID-19 disease. This paper narrates available evidence from laboratory studies, clinical studies, toxicological studies for Ars. alb. as a prophylactic/ immune booster. Methods: Published literature regarding immuno-modulatory, toxicological and therapeutic effects of the Homoeopathic Medicine Ars. alb. was reviewed. Results: Homoeopathic literature records the use of Ars.alb. for fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell, coryza, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, etc. Ars. alb. in its crude form is toxic, acting over numerous systems of the human body. It acts over the macrophages and lymphocytes hindering normal immune response. The toxic effects of crude arsenic are neutralized by ultra-high dilution of arsenic trioxide thus stimulating an immune response, the memory of which retained by the organism helps to prevent the infection. Highly diluted Ars.alb. modulates reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytokine secretion, decrease in interleukin-6 production in macrophages, which are central mediators of the immune system, wound healing, and body homeostasis. The molecular effects and clinical presentation of the COVID-19 and Ars. alb. are similar over the response to the immune system and clinically is similar to a great extent. Conclusion: Primary evidence suggests possibility of homoeopathic medicine Ars. alb. as a prophylactic immune booster medicine, maintaining an optimal immune response in the human body. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted. Acknowledgments and Source of Funding