In-vitro experiments to investigate the effects of homeopathic drugs for chronic aggressive periodontitis by lymphocyte migration activity

Background: Several homeopathic drugs are applied in the treatment of periodontal inflammation. However less is know about the basic working principles of highly diluted remedies in such chronic inflammatory conditions. We therefore aimed at investigating the effects of homeopathic drugs in periodontal inflammation by observing lymphocyte migration activity.

Material and Methods: Lymphocytes from blood samples of three patients suffering on chronic aggressive periodontitis and three matched healthy volunteers were extracted and enbedded in a collage matrix migration assays together with highly diluted (D12 and C200) aquaetous extract from Mercurius solubilis, Silicea, Sulfur, Tuberculinum, or placebo. Activity and speed of lyphocytes were observed in a 60 min time frame using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate statistics and SiZer time series analysis.

Results: A significantly reduced migration activity and speed was observed in lymphocytes extracted from the patients suffering on chronic aggressive periodontitis compared to those of healthy volunteers (mean activity: 12.5% vs. 26.3%). While C-potencies did not reveal strong differences between placebo and substances some meaningful effects were observed in D-potencies compared with placebo: moderate but not significant inhibiting effects with regards to activity were observed in lymphocytes treated with Silicea extract (mean activity: 13.3% vs. 11.9% in patients’ and 26.2% vs. 22.2% in healthy samples). The strongest and most specific effects were observed in Sulphur D12 which showed an activating effect in lymphocytes of patients (mean activity: 11,1% vs. 23,8%) but not in those of healthy volunteers (25,8% vs. 25,6%). SiZer analysis confirmed this effect to be significant.

Conclusion: Discussion about the basic working principles of highly diluted substances is still vital and leads to controversies in the scientific discussion. Although conclusions are limited due to low sample size, our pilot study was able to reproduce former results on lymphocyte migration activity and thus proves model validity. Results from our pilot study might encourage further investigations on the role of highly diluted Sulphur in the treatment of periodontitis.