Study of Arsenicum
album Homeopathic Medicines: Insights from UV-Visible Spectroscopy
Sudhir P.K., Satya Murty S.A.V., Viswanath R.N. and Venkatesan H.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(2); 64-70;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/202rjbt064070; (2025)
Abstract
Recent advances in homeopathic medicines have revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment
for various health care diseases including severe acute respiratory syndrome. In
UV-Vis spectroscopy, the amount of light absorbed is related to the amount of absorbing
species present and hence, qualitative information about the medicinal solute species
present in Arsenicum album can be obtained. The purpose of this primary research
is to elucidate “Whether the medicinal solute species exist at higher potencies
where the therapeutic effect is potentially high”.
We have investigated different potencies of Arsenicum album procured from three
manufacturers through measurements of optical absorption spectrum using a sophisticated
computer controlled UV-Visible 2600 spectrometer. In order to interpret the results,
a mother tincture Q sample was used to study the characteristic UV-Vis absorption
behaviour of Arsenicum album at various concentrations. The results revealed that
irrespective of the potencies, arsenic trioxide medicinal solute species present
in the Arsenicum album medicines is in the form of quantum sized nanoclusters. The
specific interaction between arsenic trioxide solute species in the Arsenicum album
is expected to be reduced upon dilution. Hence, the study of the dilution series
of Arsenicum album provides insights. The optical absorption results indicate that
arsenic trioxide solutes dilute uniformly in the solvent medium and follow the laws
of homeopathy. The study suggests that qualitative analysis of the Homeopathic medicines
is possible by UV-Visible spectroscopy.
