Original paper
Homeopathic remedies with antineoplastic properties have immunomodulatory effects in experimental animals
- doi:10.1016/j.homp.2014.11.004
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Highlights
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- Potentized preparations of Thuja, Carcinosinum and Ruta exhibit immunomodulatory activity.
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- Immunomodulation might be a means by which their pharmacological actions are being accomplished.
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- The effects were most pronounced for higher potencies compared to lower ones.
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- The drugs can serve as non-toxic, antineoplastic immunomodulators in malignant conditions.
Background
Our previous work suggests that Thuja occidentalis, Carcinosinum and Ruta graveolens
have antineoplastic properties. The mechanism of this action has not
previously been studied. We studied the hypothesis that the mechanism of
action is through the immune modulation.
Methods
We evaluated the effects of Thuja occidentalis, Carcinosinum and Ruta graveolens
1M, 200c and 30c on the immune system of Balb/c mice. The homeopathic
preparations were administered orally for ten consecutive days.
Haematological parameters (Total White Blood Cell (WBC) Count,
Differential Count and Haemoglobin content), haematopoietic parameters
(bone marrow cellularity and α-esterase positive cells) and immune
parameters for antibody response and lymphoid cell proliferation were
assessed using standard methods. Results were analysed by statistical
comparison with the control.
Results
We
observed significant enhancement of haematological parameters including
total WBC count, haematopoietic parameters such as bone marrow
cellularity and the number of α-esterase positive cells, other
parameters of immune response such as circulating antibody titre and the
number of plaque forming cells (PFC), particularly with higher
dilutions of Thuja and Ruta. Enhanced proliferation of B and T lymphoid cells was also observed. No toxic effects were observed.
Conclusions
The
results suggest immunomodulatory activity of homeopathic preparations
in high dilution. This may be a mechanism through which homeopathic
preparations act.
Keywords
- Thuja;
- Carcinosinum;
- Ruta;
- Immunomodulatory activity
- Correspondence: Girija Kuttan, Dept. of Immunology, Affiliated to the University of Calicut, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P.O., Thrissur 680 555, Kerala, India.
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Copyright © 2014 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
