Antioxidative Effects of Arnica montana, arsenicum Album, Lachesis mutus and Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Dilutions in Microglial Cells In Vitro

Background: The level of oxidative stress is a known marker of inflammation. Microglial cells are macrophages present in the central nervous system and play important roles in inflammatory responses making microglial cells a powerful model for studying inflammation. Homeopathic medicines are often used to alleviate inflammation in clinical practice and Oscillococcinum® is indicated in the treatment of flu-like symptoms. However, to date, the mechanism of action is unknown. The anti-oxidative effect of homeopathic dilutions of Arnica montana, Arsenicum album, Lachesis mutus, and Oscillococcinum on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated in inflamed microglial cells in vitro.

Methods: Microglial cells inflamed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with Oscillococcinum and a large range of homeopathic dilutions of Arnica montana, Arsenicum album, Lachesis mutus. ROS were labeled using CellROX-DeepRed probe. Images were analyzed by ImageJ software to quantify intracellular oxidative stress.

Results: LPS-inflamed microglial cells induced a high level of intracellular ROS. Homeopathic dilutions of Oscillococcinum, Arnica montana 1CH, 3CH, 5CH, 7CH, 9CH and 30CH, Arsenicum album 3CH, 5CH, 7CH, 15CH and 30CH, Lachesis mutus 3CH, 5CH, 7CH, 9CH, 15CH, and 30CH significantly reduced the oxidative stress by decreasing the level of ROS produced.

Conclusion: Oscillococcinum, Arnica montana, Arsenicum album, and Lachesis mutus alleviated inflammation by reducing the oxidative stress in LPS-inflamed microglial cells. The homeopathic preparations acted differently on ROS production and were not dose dependent. It is noteworthy that the cytoskeleton might play a key role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. Further investigations with Oscillococcinum would allow to check its effect on cell surface ultrastructure and cytoskeleton re-organization of microglial cells.

Keywords: Inflammation, ROS, homeopathic dilutions, microglial cells

Publication History

Article published online:
30 January 2024