Research - Liver Disorders
A homeopathic nosode, Hepatitis C 30 demonstrates anticancer effect against liver cancer cells in vitro by modulating telomerase and topoisomerase II activities as also by promoting apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondrial pathway
Abstract
ObjectiveHomeopathic nosodes have seldom been scientifically validated for their anticancer effects. This study was conducted to examine if a recently developed hepatitis C nosode has demonstrable anticancer potential in cancer cells in vitro.
MethodsAnticancer effects of Hepatitis C 30C (Hep C 30), if any, were initially tested on three cancer cell lines, HepG2 (liver cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and A549 (lung cancer) and one normal liver cell line WRL-68 cells and subsequently a more thorough study using further scientific protocols was undertaken on HepG2 cells (against WRL-68 cells as the normal control) as HepG2 cells showed better anticancer response than the other two. Three doses, one at 50% lethal dose (LD50) and the other two below LD50, were used on HepG2 cells subsequently. Protocols like apoptosis induction and its possible signaling mechanism were deployed using immunoblots of relevant signal proteins and confocal microscopy, with particular reference to telomerase and topoisomerase II (Top II) activities, two strong cancer biomarkers for their direct relationship with divisional activities of cells and DNAs.
ResultsHep C 30 induced apoptosis, caused distorted cell morphology typical of apoptotic cells, increased reactive oxygen species generation and produced increased DNA nicks. Further it enhanced pro-apototic signal proteins like Bax, cytochrome c and inhibited anti-apoptotic signal proteins, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and caspase-3, changed mitochondrial membrane potential and caused externalization of phosphatidylserine. The drug also decreased expression of two cancer biomarkers, Top II and telomerase, consistent with its anticancer effect.
ConclusionHep C 30 has demonstrable anticancer effects against liver cancer cells in vitro.
Source : Journal of Integrative Medicine
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A Clinical Evaluation of a Hepatitis C Nosode in the Treatment of Hepatitis C
Abstract
Purpose: Upon identifying the need for an alternative treatment option in the management of hepatitis C to decrease viral load and improve health parameters, the investigator has developed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nosode.
Methods: An open-label observational study in 24 HCV-positive individuals was conducted by using the HCV nosode at 30C and 50C potencies.
Results: In this clinical trial, the HCV nosode was administered to HCV-positive participants. From week 12 to week 24, the mean viral load decreased; the median viral load decreased by half, from 1,557,567.50 IU/mL to 789,265.50 IU/mL. However, at 24 weeks, the average viral load increased significantly (p = 0.2206) in the participants completing the trial. The study has shown a double population: a large set of responders with marked improvement (week 12 [p = 0.0120] and week 24 [p = 0.0304] and from week 12 to week 24 [p = 0.0028]) and a small set of nonresponders with increasing viral load (week 12 [p = 0.0120] and week 24 [p = 0.0304] and from week 12 to week 24 [p = 0.0028]). Most participants in this study showed improvement in appetite and weight gain. The treatment using the nosode was found to be safe in the tested population.
Conclusion: The HCV viral load was affected by using ultra-diluted preparation sourced from HCV, as per the Law of Similars, in responders. Further studies of longer duration in patients with uniform baseline characteristics and those that adjust the potency to the individual participant's requirement are recommended.
Source : Journal Alternative and Complementary Medicine
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Two homeopathic remedies used intermittently provide additional protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogens in mice
.Bhattacharjee N, Khuda-Bukhsh AR.
Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether potentized cholesterinum (Chol) intermittently used with another homeopathic remedy, Natrum Sulphuricum (Nat Sulph) can provide additional benefits in combating hepatotoxicity generated by chronic feeding of carcinogens, p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB), and phenobarbital (PB). Mice were categorized into subgroups: normal untreated (Gr-1); normal + alcohol "vehicle" (Alc) (Gr-2), 0.06% p-DAB +0.05% PB (Gr-3), p-DAB+PB+Alc (Gr-4), p-DAB+PB+Nat Sulph-30 (Gr-5), p-DAB+PB+Chol-200 (Gr-6), p-DAB+PB+Nat Sulph-30+Chol-200 (Gr-7), p-DAB+PB+Nat Sulph-200 (Gr-8), and DAB+PB+Nat Sulph-200+Chol-200 (Gr-9). Hepatotoxicity was assessed through biomarkers like aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP and AlkP), reduced glutathione content (GSH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and analysis of lipid peroxidation (LPO) at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days and antioxidant biomarkers like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) were assayed. Electron microscopic studies (scanning and transmission) and gelatin zymography for matrix metalloproteinases were conducted in liver. The feeding of the homeopathic drugs showed intervention in regard to the increased activities of AST, ALT, AcP, AlkP, GGT, LDH, and LPO and decreased activities of G6PD, SOD, CAT, GR, and GSH noted in the intoxicated mice, more appreciable in Groups 7 and 9. Thus, combined therapy provided additional antihepatotoxic and anticancer effects.
Source : J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2012 Aug;5(4):166-75. Epub 2012 Jun 8
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