Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)
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Item A comparative study of the NMR spectra of parallel potencies of Sulphur with reference to similarities of concentration and dynamisationn.(2002) Malan, Johannes Francios; Ross, Ashley Hilton AdrianThe purpose of this study was to analyse and compare the NMR spectra of homoeopathic Sulphur (the most well-known and often tested homoeopathic remedy) in two commonly used potencies, namely the centesimal (CH) and decimal (DH) potencies. Both potencies were prepared according to the Hahnemannian method. In order to assess the differences and similarities between these two potency scales, remedies with the same levels of deconcentration, and remedies with the same numbers of succussions were tested. The Control substance used was Water-Ethanol 87% without lactose or Sulphur. The Control substance was prepared in the same way as the Sulphur i.e. potentised as the Sulphur. Chemical shift and relative integration values of the H20, OH and CH2 peaks were recorded, calculated and compared. The investigation was designed as a scientific experiment. Firstly, the Sulphur remedies were compared to the Controls. Secondly, Sulphur remedies were compared to Sulphur remedies, and Controls to Controls. The following criteria were used: o Equal deconcentrations of the centesimal scale were compared to their equivalent decimal scale. o Equal numbers of succussions of the centesimal scale were compared to their equivalent decimal scale. The following potencies were assessed for both Sulphur and Control (Water-Ethanol):Item A comparison of the 80MHz, 200MHz and 500MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of homoeopathic sulphur 30CH(2002) Cason, Angela; Ross, Ashley Hilton AdrianThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether frequency strength is a parameter requiring consideration when conducting NMR spectroscopy studies on hornoeopathic potencies. To this end, samples of Sulphur 30CH and a Lactose control were analysed using NMR spectrometers operating at three different frequency strengths of 80MHz, 200.MHz and 500.MHz. It was hypothesized that differences existed in the spectra of respective Sulphur samples, control samples, and between parallel samples of Sulphur and control. It was further hypothesized that differences between parallel samples of Sulphur and control would be more noticeable at the lower frequencies. This hypothesis was based on the assumption that a higher frequency strength would have more intense resonance effects on the structure of the homoeopathic potency, thereby disturbing the micro-structural changes induced during potentisation. The design of the investigation was that of a scientific experiment. Potencies of Sulphur and a lactose-based control were prepared to a 30CH potency each, in 87% ethanol. The final prepared volumes (10ml) of Sulphur and control were blinded by means of colour codes by a third party prior to analysis. The blinded samples were transported to the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, where they were subjected to analysis using the following instruments: 1) A Varian FT80A 80.MHz instrument 2) A Varian Gemini 200MHz instrument 3) A Varian Inova 500.MHz instrument At each instrument NMR spectroscopy was conducted on ten (10) samples from each group (Sulphur and control). The samples were prepared in coaxial tubes using acetone as both an external lock and reference, and NMR spectra were recorded for each sample. All the samples were run at a thermostatically controlled temperature of 24\xB0C (\xB1 O,2\xB0C), and the laboratory was maintained at a constant temperature of 22\xB0C. The spectra and data of all the samples were recorded in terms of the chemical shift and integration values of their respective CH2, H20 and OH signals.Item An evaluation of Hahnemannian quinquagenimillesimal potencies using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1997) Ross, Ashley Hilton Adrian; Spark, AndrewThe purpose of this investigation was to analyse and compare the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of samples of quinquagenimillesimal (LM) potencies of homoeopathic Sulphur and a lactose-based control produced according to Hahnemann, in order to evaluate homoeopathic medicines thus prepared. It was hypothesised that differences existed in the spectra of respective Sulphur samples, control samples, and between parallel samples of Sulphur and control. It was further hypothesised that these differences correlated proportionately with the degree of potency of samples. The design of the investigation was that of a scientific experiment. Potencies of Sulphur and a lactose-based control were prepared (according to the directions of Hahnemann*) to the LM10 level. LM2, LM6 and LM10 liquid potencies (95% ethanol) of each group were then prepared in =20.8160 ml volumes and despatched for sampling and measurement. NMR spectroscopy was conducted on fifteen (15) samples of each potency. These were prepared in coaxial sample tubes using deuterium oxide (020) as an extemal lock and dioxane as a reference. Samples were drawn and measured in overlapping sequence by the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town. The spectrometer em. ployed was a. Varian VXR200 operating at a frequency of 200.057 MHz. Acquisition time for each sample was 3.727 seconds, using a pulse width of 6\xB0. Measurement of each sample was repeated eight times, at a constant temperature of 298.1 K (250. OC)Item A comparison of Hahnemannian and Korsakovian potentising methods using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy(2001) Davies,Troy Murray; Govender, Megan; Ross, Ashley Hilton AdrianThe purpose of this study was to analyse and compare the NMR spectra ofa homoeopathic remedy (in this case Natrum muriaticum was used for its easy solubility and purity), that was prepared in the classical single vial Hahnemannian method, and also the widely used multi-vial Korsakovian method. Comparison was made in terms of the chemical shift (8) and relative integration values of the CH3, CH2, H20, and OH signals. A control was employed for both methods. The only difference between control and test remedies was the actual inclusion ofNatrum muriaticum in the latter, and the same weight of solvent as solute in the former. Comparison was made between both test methods, between test and control, and between the two controls. It was hypothesized that the method of dilution plays an important part in the potentisation process, and thus becomes part of the remedy's information content. The evolution of distinct physicochemical identities was hypothesized to occur specific to each method in ascending potency levels. Differences were therefore also hypothesized to exist between both methods at parallel potency levels in terms of chemical shift and relative integration values. The experiment was conducted as per the limitations of the scientific method. Both methods and their controls of Natrum muriaticum were potentised to the 9C, 30C, and 200C potency levels. They were prepared in 16ml volumes and transported to the NMR spectroscopy laboratory in Pietermaritzburg for analysis.Item A comparative study with of the NMR spectra of Sulphur 12CH prepared using Hahnemannian method and sonication(2016) Marsh-Brown, Scott; Ross, Ashley Hilton Adrian; Botha, IzelAim The aim of this study was to compare the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of Sulphur 12c samples produced by the traditional Hahnemannian method with Sulphur 12c samples produced using sonication as an alternative method of agitation. Sonication, while not widely employed as an agitating technique in the homoeopathic potentisation process, is a highly effective agitation process which produces effects on liquids that closely resemble the effect of traditional Hahnemannian hand succussion (Bhattacharyya et al. 2008). Thus, this study sought to reveal whether or not homoeopathic remedies produced by sonication bore a close enough physicochemical resemblance to traditional hand succussed remedies to be considered as a viable equivalent. Methodology Five sample groups were manufactured for analysis, all by means of serial dilution at the centesimal ratio (1:100) to the 12c potency, and with agitation between dilution levels where applicable. Three of the sample groups were experimental, namely the Sulphur 12c Hahnemannian, Sulphur 12c sonicated and Sulphur 12c both (succussion and sonication). The Sulphur 12c Hahnemannian samples were produced by hand according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (Benyunes 2005), which includes an agitation phase of 10 hand succussions. Sonicated samples were produced according to the Hahnemannian method as far as possible, however the agitation phase consisted of 30 seconds of sonication in a sonication bath at 40Hz in accordance with related studies (Sukul, Sinhabau, and Sukul 1999: 58-59; Sukul et al. 2001a: 187). Sulphur 12c both (succussion and sonication) samples underwent ten hand succussions and 30 seconds of sonication at 40Hz between dilution levels. Two of the sample groups were controls, namely Sulphur 12c unagitated and Lactose 12c unagitated, neither of which underwent agitation between dilution phases but were otherwise produced according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia specification (Benyunes 2005). All samples were raised to the 12c potency level in 87% alcohol from a 3CH triturate. The Lactose 12c unagitated control was derived from a 3CH triturate of lactose, while the other samples were all derived from a 3CH triturate of Sulphur. The sample groups were sent for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at the Department of Chemistry at Stellenbosch University. The NMR device used was the Varian UnityInova 600 NMR Spectrometer ®, with a Deuterated DMSO insert added as an instrument frequency lock. Samples were drawn and analysed by Dr D.J. Brand. One sample was drawn from each sample group. The chemical shift and relative integration values for the OH, H2O, CH2, and CH3 peaks of the NMR spectra were captured and tabulated using Microsoft Excel© 2013. The statistical analysis was performed with the aid of SPSS Version 22. The chemical shift and relative integration values for the H2O, OH, CH2 and CH3 peaks were used in the statistical analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis method was performed for the five sample groups to ascertain whether or not a statistically significant difference existed between the five sample groups. Comparisons between individual paired groups were conducted by means of the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. The significance interval was set at α = Results The chemical shift values of the CH2 peaks of the samples showed a clear similarity between the samples produced by Hahnemannian hand succussion, sonication and both (succussion and sonication) as well as a clear difference between these three samples and the two controls. The relative integration values, however, showed no clear trends in support of or detracting from the hypotheses. Conclusion In terms of the CH2 peak chemical shift values it can be concluded that distinct similarities exist between 12c potency level of Sulphur produced by Hahnemannian hand succussion and sonication, and that the two methods of agitation produce similar structural properties in samples of the 12c potency level. Furthermore in terms of the chemical shift values, succussion and sonication develop remedies that are distinct from unagitated remedies of equivalent potency level. Thus, these findings support the use of sonication as a potentially viable alternative to hand succussion as a method of agitation in the potentisation process. Further studies need to be conducted however, with the inclusion of a greater variety of potency levels in order to possibly reveal more trends in terms of the relative integration values as these values were inconclusive in this study.Item A comparative study of Hahnemannian and radionically prepared potencies of Natrum muriaticum using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(2010) Allsopp, Clare; Naude, David F.; Botha, IzelThe aim of this study was to compare the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of homoeopathic potencies prepared according to the orthodox Hahnemannian method with those produced with Radionic instrumentation. Methodology The chemical shift values and relative integration values for the H2O, CH2, CH3 and OH peaks of the 6C, 12C and 30C potencies of Hahnemannian and Radionic Natrum muriaticum were compared. The orthodox Hahnemannian method of preparing potencies involves dilution of the crude substance followed by the dilution and succussion at each subsequent deconcentration (potency) level. The Hahnemannian potencies were prepared according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP) and the potencies diluted using a 1:100 ratio and succussed ten times at each potency level. The Radionic group of potencies were prepared using the ‘Magnetogeometric Potency Simulator’ (a Radionic apparatus). NMR testing took place at the Chemistry Department at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg using a Bruker Avance lll NMR spectrometer 500MHz.The samples were dispensed into boro-silicate glass NMR tubes with a co-axial tube containing Dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (DMSO-d6) which was used as a frequency lock around the tube. Three samples were drawn from each group, including the controls, and analysed using the NMR spectrometer. The NMR spectrometer information was received and the chemical shift and relative integration values of H2O, OH, CH2 and CH3 peaks on the NMR spectra recorded. All the data was entered into a Microsoft Excel© 2000 spreadsheet and then from there transferred into SPSS© software package for statistical analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to make a comparison between the eight unpaired groups. If a significant difference occurred between the groups iii individual comparisons between groups were made using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. The significant value was set at α= 0.05. Results The results of this study revealed significant differences between the Hahnemannian and Radionic samples. The chemical shift values of the parallel potencies showed significant differences for the H2O, CH2 and CH3 peaks. A significant difference for the OH peaks was observed between the 30C potencies. The relative integration values showed a significant difference for the OH and CH3 peaks between the parallel 12C and 30C potencies but not between the parallel 6C potencies. Conclusion From studying the results it can be concluded that the respective manufacture methods resulted in the NMR spectra of the parallel potencies being significantly different (exhibiting distinctive physico-chemical properties) thus confirming the hypotheses of the study. The standardisation of the process of preparing homoeopathic remedies is important as different methods produce potencies with distinct physico-chemical identities. Further studies into different methods should be researched in order to control and standardise the production of potencies.