Research - Leukocytes
Investigation of Cytokine Expression in Human Leukocyte Cultures with Two Immune-Modulatory Homeopathic Preparations
CHEPPAIL RAMACHANDRAN, Ph.D., M.B.A.,1,2 P.K. RAVEENDRAN NAIR, Ph.D.1,
RICHARD T. CLÈMENT, M.D.,3 and STEVEN J. MELNICK, Ph.D., M.D.2
ABSTRACT
Background: The efficacy of homeopathic medicines for maintaining human health and treating disease has
been extensively examined in clinical trials. However, there is a paucity of preclinical evaluations of the effects
of homeopathic medicinal preparations on cellular signaling pathways relevant to the applications of these
preparations.
Materials and methods: In this study, the immune-modulatory effects of Phase 6 (for the stimulation of the
nonspecific defense system) and Flu Terminator® (for influenza and viral diseases) (Be Well Homeopathics
Inc. Miami, FL), two homeopathic preparations developed for the purpose, were evaluated in normal human
leukocyte cultures in vitro.
Results: Both Phase 6 and Flu Terminator stimulated the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
by human leukocytes, although higher doses often produced a weaker response than lower doses. The carrier
solvent (20% ethanol) failed to elicit any cytokine synthesis.
Conclusions: The results of the in vitro studies suggested that ultralow concentrations of ingredients in Phase
6 and Flu Terminator were capable of eliciting a human immune response.
Source : Similima.com
Link to Full Article
Therapeutic Effect of Arsenicum album on Leukocytes
Elaine C. Ive1 , Ingrid M. S. Couchman1 and Lalini Reddy2,*
1 Department of Homoeopathy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
2 Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
Abstract
The therapeutic effects of homoeopathic Arsenicum album potencies were investigated in-vitro, using a continuous cell line (MT4), pre-intoxicated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and then treated with succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies, 6CH, 30CH and 200CH. This study aimed to verify the homoeopathic law of similars and to determine whether potencies diluted beyond Avogadro’s constant had physiological effects on cells; whether various potencies would cause different effects as suggested by the concept of hormesis; whether succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies had different effects on the cells; and to establish whether a biotechnological method could be used to evaluate the above. As2O3 was used to pre-intoxicate and the MTT assay was used to measure the percentage cytotoxicity and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the cells. The homoeopathic potencies of Arsenicum album (6CH, 30CH and 200CH) were prepared by either succussing or allowing to diffuse for 30 s. After pre-intoxication of the MT4 cells with the IC50 As2O3 and treatment with succussed and unsuccussed Arsenicum album (6CH-200CH), the cell viability increased with increasing potency from 81% to 194% (over 72 h). The treatments and the times of exposure were found to be statistically significant determinants of cell viability, whereas succussion did not cause any significant variation in the results. The study provided evidence that a biotechnological method (namely cell viability) may be used to scientifically evaluate the physiological effects of homoeopathic potencies on human cells; it confirmed that the homoeopathic potencies did have therapeutic effects; and that succussion was not required in the potentization method in order to produce a curative remedy.
Source : Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13(3), 3979-3987; doi:10.3390/ijms13033979
therapeutic_effect_of_arsenicum_album_on_leukocytes.pdf | |
File Size: | 454 kb |
File Type: |