Scientific guidelines for preclinical research on potentised preparations manufactured according to current pharmacopoeias-the PrePoP guidelines.

Objective: Pharmacopoeias regulate the manufacture of potentised pharmaceutical preparations used in different branches of complementary and integrative medicine. The physicochemical properties and biological activity of these preparations are often investigated in preclinical research, yet no guidelines for experimental research currently exist in this area. The present PrePoP guidelines aim to provide recommendations to promote high-quality, statistically sound, and reproducible preclinical research on potentised preparations.

In vitro evaluation of the anti-pathogenic activity of Okoubaka aubrevillei on the human gastrointestinal tract.

Background:   is used in traditional West African medicine and in homeopathy for treatment and prevention of several gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated doses of two products (10 % ethanolic tincture, mother tincture (MT); 3 decimal potency, 3X) on the microbial activity of physiological human colon microbiota using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) and to investigate any preventive effect against infections with diarrhea-causing pathogens.

Methods:  Upon inoculation with fecal microbiota from a healthy donor, 4 parallel proximal colon compartments of the SHIME were treated either with MT, 3X, ethanol control or blank control for 7 days.