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Dos Santos AP, Cardoso TN, Waisse S, Bonamin LV. Homeopathy in Experimental Cancer Models: A Systematic Review. HOMEOPATHY 2020; 110:76-85. [PMID: 33348419 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicine, including homeopathy, is widely used to improve well-being among cancer patients and reduce adverse effects of conventional treatment. In contrast, there are few studies on the use of homeopathic medicines to treat the disease itself. Yet, evidence of possible effectiveness of homeopathic high dilutions in experimental cancer models has been published during the past 20 years. AIM The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review of fundamental research studies on homeopathic high dilutions in cancer. METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, we conducted a literature search in the database PubMed for original publications, from 2000 to 2018 and in English, on in vitro and in vivo experimental cancer models testing homeopathic high dilutions. RESULTS Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria-14 in vitro, eight in vivo, and one in vitro plus in vivo experimental models. Most studies were from India. Research prominently focused on cytotoxic effects involving apoptotic mechanisms. Intrinsic aspects of homeopathy should be considered in experimental designs to emphasize the specificity of such effects. CONCLUSION Fundamental research of homeopathy in cancer is still at an early stage and has mainly been performed by a few groups of investigators. The results point to an interference of well-selected homeopathic medicines with cell cycle and apoptotic mechanisms in cancer cells. However, these findings still need independent reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Pereira Dos Santos
- Research Center, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thayná Neves Cardoso
- Research Center, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia Waisse
- Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, PUC-SP, Graduate Program in History of Science, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leoni Villano Bonamin
- Research Center, Universidade Paulista, UNIP, Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, São Paulo, Brazil
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Girin SV, Savinova IV, Antonenko IV, Naumenko NV. The Effect of Ultra Low Concentrations of Some Biologically Active Substances on the Aerobic Respiration. Cell 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/cellbio.2016.51001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Bellavite P, Signorini A, Marzotto M, Moratti E, Bonafini C, Olioso D. Cell sensitivity, non-linearity and inverse effects. HOMEOPATHY 2015; 104:139-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Bellavite P, Marzotto M, Olioso D, Moratti E, Conforti A. High-dilution effects revisited. 2. Pharmacodynamic mechanisms. HOMEOPATHY 2014; 103:22-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Saha S, Hossain DMS, Mukherjee S, Mohanty S, Mazumdar M, Mukherjee S, Ghosh UK, Nayek C, Raveendar C, Khurana A, Chakrabarty R, Sa G, Das T. Calcarea carbonica induces apoptosis in cancer cells in p53-dependent manner via an immuno-modulatory circuit. Altern Ther Health Med 2013; 13:230. [PMID: 24053127 PMCID: PMC3856502 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complementary medicines, including homeopathy, are used by many patients with cancer, usually alongside with conventional treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms underneath the anti-cancer effect, if any, of these medicines have still remained unexplored. To this end we attempted to evaluate the efficacy of calcarea carbonica, a homeopathic medicine, as an anti-cancer agent and to delineate the detail molecular mechanism(s) underlying calcerea carbonica-induced tumor regression. METHODS To investigate and delineate the underlying mechanisms of calcarea carbonica-induced tumor regression, Trypan blue dye-exclusion test, flow cytometric, Western blot and reverse transcriptase-PCR techniques were employed. Further, siRNA transfections and inhibitor studies were used to validate the involvement of p53 pathway in calcarea carbonica-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. RESULTS Interestingly, although calcarea carbonica administration to Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC)- and Sarcoma-180 (S-180)-bearing Swiss albino mice resulted in 30-35% tumor cell apoptosis, it failed to induce any significant cell death in ex vivo conditions. These results prompted us to examine whether calcarea carbonica employs the immuno-modulatory circuit in asserting its anti-tumor effects. Calcarea carbonica prevented tumor-induced loss of effector T cell repertoire, reversed type-2 cytokine bias and attenuated tumor-induced inhibition of T cell proliferation in tumor-bearing host. To confirm the role of immune system in calcarea carbonica-induced cancer cell death, a battery of cancer cells were co-cultured with calcarea carbonica-primed T cells. Our results indicated a "two-step" mechanism of the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by calcarea carbonica i.e., (1) activation of the immune system of the host; and (2) induction of cancer cell apoptosis via immuno-modulatory circuit in p53-dependent manner by down-regulating Bcl-2:Bax ratio. Bax up-regulation resulted in mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss and cytochrome c release followed by activation of caspase cascade. Knocking out of p53 by RNA-interference inhibited calcarea carbonica-induced apoptosis thereby confirming the contribution of p53. CONCLUSION These observations delineate the significance of immuno-modulatory circuit during calcarea carbonica-mediated tumor apoptosis. The molecular mechanism identified may serve as a platform for involving calcarea carbonica into immunotherapeutic strategies for effective tumor regression.
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Patel DR, Ansari IA, Kachchhi YN, Patel RB, Patil KR, Jadhav RB, Patil CR. Toxicodendron pubescens retains its anti-arthritic efficacy at 1M, 10M and CM homeopathic dilutions. HOMEOPATHY 2012; 101:165-70. [PMID: 22818234 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our previous studies of Toxicodendron pubescens (Rhus tox) in homeopathic dilutions have shown anti-inflammatory activity in line with the principle of similia. The present study aimed to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity in 1M, 10M and CM dilutions in rats. METHOD Arthritis was induced by subplantar injection of 0.1 ml of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paws of rats. The severity of inflammatory lesions was measured plethysmometrically on 21st day post CFA injection. The intensity of pain was measured using digital Von Frey apparatus. Other estimations included serum C-reactive protein (CRP), hematological parameters, body weight changes, arthritic pain score and radiological analysis of the arthritic paws. RESULT The 1M, 10M and CM homeopathic dilutions of Rhus tox reduced primary and secondary arthritic lesions, improved body weight gain and protected rats against CFA-induced hematological and radiological perturbations. A significant reduction in the serum levels of CRP and an improvement in pain threshold of injected paws was observed in the groups treated with the Rhus tox dilutions. CONCLUSION The anti-arthritic potential of Rhus tox is retained at 1M, 10M and CM dilutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanraj Ramanlal Patel
- R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Karvand Naka, Shirpur, Dist-Dhule 425405, Maharashtra, India
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Hostanska K, Rostock M, Melzer J, Baumgartner S, Saller R. A homeopathic remedy from arnica, marigold, St. John's wort and comfrey accelerates in vitro wound scratch closure of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 12:100. [PMID: 22809174 PMCID: PMC3565897 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. METHODS We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712-2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712-1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712-3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined "wound field". All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. RESULTS None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712-2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712-1) at 1:100 dilutions (p < 0.001). Unsuccussed solvent (0712-3) had no influence on cell migration (6.3%; p > 0.05). Preparation (0712-2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p < 0.001) from succussed solvent (0712-1), which caused 22.1% wound closure. CONCLUSION Results of this study showed that the low potency homeopathic remedy (0712-2) exerted in vitro wound closure potential in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect resulted from stimulation of fibroblasts motility rather than of their mitosis.
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Stock-Schröer B, Albrecht H, Betti L, Endler PC, Linde K, Lüdtke R, Musial F, van Wijk R, Witt C, Baumgartner S. Reporting experiments in homeopathic basic research (REHBaR)--a detailed guideline for authors. HOMEOPATHY 2010; 98:287-298. [PMID: 19945681 PMCID: PMC8019360 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Revised: 09/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reporting experiments in basic research in homeopathy is an important issue as comprehensive description of what exactly was done is required. So far, there is no guideline for authors available, unlike criteria catalogues common in clinical research. METHODS A Delphi Process was conducted, including a total of five rounds, three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences. European researchers who published experimental work within the last five years were involved. RESULTS A checklist of 23 items was obtained and supplemented with detailed examples emphasizing what each item implies. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses should be given in the part 'introduction'. Special emphasis is put on the 'materials and methods' section, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation, blinding, and statistical methods is required. The section 'results' should present sufficient details on analysed data, descriptive as well as inferential. Authors should discuss their results and give an interpretation in the context of current evidence. CONCLUSION A guideline for Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research (REHBaR) was compiled to be applied by authors when preparing their manuscripts, and to be used by scientific journals in the reviewing process. Furthermore the guideline is a commitment to a certain minimum quality level needed in basic research, e.g. blinding and randomisation. Feedback is encouraged on applicability, strength and limitations of the list to enable future revisions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - H Albrecht
- Karl and Veronica Carstens-Foundation, D-Essen, Germany
| | - L Betti
- Department of Agro-Environmental Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bologna University, I-Bologna, Italy
| | - P C Endler
- Interuniversity College for Health and Development, A-Graz, Austria
| | - K Linde
- Institute of General Practice, Technical University, D-Munich, Germany
| | - R Lüdtke
- Karl and Veronica Carstens-Foundation, D-Essen, Germany
| | - F Musial
- Department of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-Essen, Germany
| | - R van Wijk
- International Institute of Biophysics, D-Neuss, Germany
| | - C Witt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, D-Berlin, Germany
| | - S Baumgartner
- Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, CH-Bern, Switzerland
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Animal models for studying homeopathy and high dilutions: Conceptual critical review. HOMEOPATHY 2010; 99:37-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Revised: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Abstract
Generally minute doses of drugs have been prescribed in biotherapies, homeopathy, immunization and vaccinations for centuries. Now the use of low doses of drugs is on the rise to combat serious diseases such as advanced cancers around the world. This new therapeutic approach to address solid tumors and other advanced diseases is a departure from the conventional use of maximum dose protocol. A small dose of the prescribed drug is frequently administered in a continuous fashion, at regular intervals, either as a standard treatment or as a maintenance therapy for a long time. However, this new treatment method lacks any standard for drug quantization, dose fractionation, repetition frequency and duration of a treatment course for an individual patient. This paper reviews literature about metronomic therapy and discusses hormesis: both phenomena occur in low dose ranges. Better mathematical models, computer simulations, process optimization and clinical trials are warranted to fully exploit the potential of low dose metronomic therapy to cure chronic and complicated diseases. New protocols to standardize metronomic dosimetry will answer the age old questions related to hormesis and homeopathy. It appears that this new low-dose metronomic therapy will have far reaching effects in curing chronic diseases throughout the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahangir Satti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208-3478, USA.
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Ramachandran C, Nair PKR, Clèment RT, Melnick SJ. Investigation of Cytokine Expression in Human Leukocyte Cultures with Two Immune-Modulatory Homeopathic Preparations. J Altern Complement Med 2007; 13:403-7. [PMID: 17532732 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2007.6292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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.
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