International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences

The rise of antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress–related diseases underscores the need for alternative therapeutic agents. Homoeopathic mother tinctures, being hydroalcoholic plant extracts rich in bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics, have traditionally been used to manage infections and degenerative conditions. However, scientific evidence regarding their antibacterial and antioxidant potential remains limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities of four commonly used homoeopathic mother tinctures—Berberis vulgaris, Thuja occidentalis, Pulsatilla nigricans, and Cinchona officinalis—and identify the most potent extract.

Methodology: An in vitro experimental design was adopted. Antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) using the agar well diffusion method, with streptomycin as the positive control. Wells containing 25 µL, 50 µL, and 100 µL of each tincture were tested for zones of inhibition. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay at concentrations ranging from 12.5–200 µL/mL, with ascorbic acid as the reference. Absorbance was measured at 517 nm, and percentage inhibition and IC₅₀ values were calculated.

Result: Among the tested tinctures, Thuja occidentalis exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity with inhibition zones of 11 mm and 14 mm at 50 µL and 100 µL. The antioxidant assay revealed a dose-dependent radical scavenging effect for all tinctures, with Cinchona officinalis showing the highest activity.

Conclusion: The findings validate the traditional therapeutic use of Thuja occidentalis and Cinchona officinalis as natural sources of antibacterial and antioxidant agents. These results highlight their potential in integrative medicine and justify further phytochemical studies, standardization, and multi-strain testing to expand their clinical applications.