Extending the Adaptive Network Nanomedicine Model for Homeopathic Medicines: Nanostructures as Salient Cell Danger Signals for Adaptation

This paper examines the growing evidence supporting the adaptive network nanomedicine model for Homeopathic Medicines (HMs) and their actions. Multiple laboratories have identified nanostructures in homeopathically-manufactured medicines at low and high potencies. Replicated studies in mainstream pharmaceutical research and in homeopathy have also demonstrated elevated levels of elemental silicon and/or bioactive silica Nanoparticles (NPs) released from glassware during agitation or multiple homeopathic succussions. The model suggests that (a) very low potency HMs are complex mixtures of bulk, micro- and nanoscale forms of the medicine’s natural source material made by prolonged mechanical grinding (trituration) in dry lactose; (b) low and higher potency liquid HMs made in glass containers are nanocomposite materials formed from source NPs, nanosilica-coated source NPs, adjuvant nanosilica and source-doped, coated, seeded or template nanosilica in colloidal solutions that can survive drying. We hypothesize that HMs include hybrid nanostructures of various sources, small sizes, shapes, surface defects, zeta potentials, and surface reactivity. HMs serves as individually-salient, sub toxic virus-like foreign danger signals. Nanosilica would help carry and amplify the fingerprint signal of co-occurring and adsorbed source material on its surfaces at higher liquid potencies. Cell Defense Response (CDR) network constituents that HMs modulate involve gene expression, cytokine release, cell signaling, and cell stress mediators. Once triggered, nonlinear endogenous amplification processes facilitate evolution of the therapeutic response over time.