Volume 22, Issue 4, August 2014, Pages 719–723
Summary
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of Bach flower Rescue Remedy on the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats.
Design
A randomized longitudinal experimental study.
Methods
Eighteen
Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each
and orogastrically dosed with either 200 μl of water (group A,
control), or 100 μl of water and 100 μl of Bach flower remedy (group B),
or 200 μl of Bach flower remedy (group C) every 2 days, for 20 days.
All animals were fed standard rat chow and water ad libitum.
Main outcome measures
Urine
volume, body weight, feces weight, and food intake were measured every 2
days. On day 20, tests of glycemia, hyperuricemia, triglycerides,
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol were
performed, and the anatomy and histopathology of the heart, liver and
kidneys were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Tukey's test at a
significance level of 5%.
Results
No
significant differences were found in food intake, feces weight, urine
volume and uric acid levels between groups. Group C had a significantly
lower body weight gain than group A and lower glycemia compared with
groups A and B. Groups B and C had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol
and lower triglycerides than controls. Animals had mild hepatic
steatosis, but no cardiac or renal damage was observed in the three
groups.
Conclusion
Bach flower
Rescue Remedy was effective in controlling glycemia, triglycerides, and
HDL-cholesterol and may serve as a strategy for reducing risk factors
for cardiovascular disease in rats. This study provides some preliminary
“proof of concept” data that Bach Rescue Remedy may exert some
biological effects.
Keywords
- Wistar rats;
- Bach flowers;
- Preventive medicine;
- Animal experimentation;
- Complementary therapies
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
