Evaluation of the effectiveness of Streptococcus pneumoniae nosode (6CH, 9CH, 30CH, and 200CH) on the growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

The rise in antimicrobial resistance has made bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat. The issue mostly stems from the misuse of antimicrobials which fosters and accelerates the growth of resistant bacteria. Innovative strategies are required to restrict the use of antibiotics without causing harm to people who truly need this medication. Given the increasing resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotypes to new antibiotics and vaccines each year, exploring and incorporating non-antibiotic treatment strategies is crucial. Homoeopathy offers a holistic alternative for treating various common infections. Based on the principle of “similia similibus curentur,” meaning “like cures like,” homoeopathy posits that substances capable of causing symptoms in their raw form, when administered in low doses, can treat diseases with similar symptoms. Homoeopathic nosodes are homoeopathic medications made from biological products, including secretions, diseased tissues, organs, allergens, and microbial products. The use of nosodes for treating and preventing infectious diseases has been extensively researched over the past decade. However, more robust data on their therapeutic efficacy is still needed, which forms the basis for this study. This in vitro study aims to determine whether the Streptococcus pneumoniae nosode exhibits antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Various homoeopathic potencies of the Streptococcus pneumoniae nosode were evaluated for antimicrobial effects against a Streptococcus pneumoniae strain in vitro through disc diffusion assay. Aim of the study The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of Streptococcus pneumoniae nosode (at potencies of 6CH, 9CH, 30CH, and 200CH) against Streptococcus pneumoniae using the disc diffusion assay method. Methodology Measurements were performed using the disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Mueller Hinton agar plates supplemented with 5% sheep blood were inoculated with the bacteria. Whatman® filter paper no. 4 discs, each with a diameter of 5 mm, were impregnated with the test substances (S. pneumoniae nosode at potencies of 6CH, 9CH, 30CH, and 200CH, as well as 20% ethanol). Antimicrobial susceptibility discs containing ceftriaxone were obtained from the JVL Lab Engineering and General Supplies Close Corporation, South Africa. Various concentrations of the test substances, including ceftriaxone and 20% ethanol as controls, were utilised to assess the antibacterial activity of the Streptococcus pneumoniae nosode potencies through disc diffusion and MIC testing. Results The study results showed that the S. pneumoniae nosode, derived from S. pneumoniae, did not exhibit any inhibitory activity against S. pneumoniae. In contrast, the positive control, ceftriaxone, demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect against S. pneumoniae. The negative control, 20% ethanol, showed no inhibitory effect. Conclusion This study found that S. pneumoniae nosode, derived from S. pneumoniae, did not inhibit S. pneumoniae growth in vitro, as determined by the disc diffusion assay. The results demonstrate that the nosode, across all tested potencies, did not show any measurable antimicrobial activity against S. pneumoniae under the conditions of this experiment. This lack of inhibitory effect suggests that the S. pneumoniae nosode, as prepared and evaluated, does not possess the antimicrobial properties necessary to impact the growth of this pathogen in vitro. Consequently, these results align with the hypothesis that the mechanism of homoeopathic nosodes is attributed to their influence on host factors, such as immune system activation, rather than a direct impact on the pathogens. Further investigation may be warranted to explore different formulations, dosages, or experimental conditions to better understand the potential applications or limitations of homoeopathic nosodes in treating bacterial infections.