Comparison of effects of homeopathic medicines prepared in glass and plastic vials in macrophage activity in vitro
Abstract
Background: According to the “silica hypothesis” to explain the action of homeopathic medicines, complex nanoparticles involving the silica extracted from the walls of the glass vial during succussions would be needed to act on target cells. Aims: We aimed to know if suspended particles of silica found in Arsenicum album (AA) could be associated to its biological effects in vitro. Methodology: RAW 264.7 macrophages were co-cultured with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to promote phagocytosis. During this process, the cells were exposed to AA in different homeopathic dilutions (30K, 6cH and 200cH) prepared in both, glass or silica-fee plastic vials. All dilutions were prepared from the same 3cH matrix. Since parallel experiments showed random stimulating and inhibiting effects of homeopathic lactose, untreated cells and water were used as controls. The macrophage activity was measured by digital histometry (Metamorph®), reflecting the cell spreading and phagocytosis. A complementary analysis using the acridine orange stain in real time fluorescence microscopy was also performed to evaluate the organization of phago-lysosomes inside the cells. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Microparticles present in the medicines were identified in an EDS (energy dispersive x-ray detector) system (JEOL JMS 6510), according to their chemical elements composition. The morphology of particles was not considered for analysis, since it was considered irrelevant. Results: Experiment…
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