Silicea terra and Zincum metallicum Modulate the Activity of Macrophages Challenged with BCG In Vitro.

BACKGROUND

 The homeopathic medicines () and () modulate macrophage activity and were assessed in an experimental study for their effects on macrophage-BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) interaction.

METHODS

 RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with BCG, treated with different potencies of and (6cH, 30cH and 200cH) or vehicle, and assessed 24 and 48 h later for bacilli internalization, hydrogen peroxide (HO) and cytokine production, and lysosomal activity.

RESULTS

 Treatment with vehicle was associated with non-specific inhibition of HO production to the levels exhibited by uninfected macrophages. 200cH induced significant reduction of HO production ( < 0.001) compared with the vehicle and all other treatments, as well as higher lysosomal activity ( ≤ 0.001) and increased IL-10 production ( ≤ 0.05). Such effects were considered specific for this remedy and potency. The number of internalized bacilli was inversely proportional to potencies, with statistically significant interaction between dilution and treatment ( = 0.003). Such linear-like behavior was not observed for dilutions: peak internalization occurred with the 30cH dilution, accompanied by cellular degeneration, and IL-6 and IL-10 increased ( ≤ 0.05) only in the cells treated with 6cH.

CONCLUSION

  and presented different patterns of potency-dependent effect on macrophage activity. Bacterial digestion and a balanced IL-6/IL-10 production were related to 6cH, though reduced oxidative stress with increased lysosomal activity was related to 200cH. Degenerative effects were exclusively related to 30cH, and potency-dependent phagocytosis was related only to .

Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.