Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency
10:22

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

Aspergillus niger as a new allergic agent associated with bindis and its efficacy against homeopathic drugs

J N Shrivastava1, Ajay Kumar, V P Bhatnagar

  • 1Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Deemed University, Dayalbagh, Agra- 282005, India.

Journal of Environmental Biology
|April 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Homeopathic drugs like Lycopodium, Sulphur, and Sepia demonstrated significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. These findings suggest potential natural antifungal agents for controlling this common mold.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Homeopathic Medicine
  • Antifungal Research

Background:

  • Aspergillus species are common fungi that can contaminate various products.
  • Bindis have been identified as a potential source of Aspergillus contamination.
  • Understanding natural antifungal agents is crucial for controlling fungal growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antifungal efficacy of homeopathic drugs against Aspergillus niger.
  • To identify specific homeopathic preparations and potencies effective in inhibiting Aspergillus niger growth.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the inhibition zone technique to assess antifungal activity.
  • Employed the poison food technique to determine percentage inhibition against Aspergillus niger.
  • Tested four homeopathic drugs at different potencies: Lycopodium, Sulphur, Sepia, and Tellurium.

Main Results:

  • Aspergillus was identified as a dominant fungus associated with bindi products.
  • Lycopodium 1M, Sulphur 1M, and Sepia 30 showed maximum inhibition zones against Aspergillus niger.
  • Sepia 30M, Tellurium 30M, Sulphur 1M, and Lycopodium 200 exhibited maximum percentage inhibition against Aspergillus niger.

Conclusions:

  • Specific homeopathic drug potencies demonstrate significant antifungal properties against Aspergillus niger.
  • Homeopathic preparations show potential as natural antifungal agents for controlling Aspergillus contamination.

More Related Videos

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis07:22

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis

Published on: May 31, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...