Immunology and homeopathy. 2. Cells of the immune system and inflammation

Abstract

Here we describe the results of some experimental laboratory studies aimed at verifying the efficacy of high dilutions of substances and of homeopathic medicines in models of inflammation and immunity. Studies carried out on basophils, lymphocytes, granulocytes and fibroblasts are reviewed. This approach may help to test under controlled conditions the main principles of homeopathy such as 'similarity' of drug action at the cellular level and the effects of dilution/dynamization on the drug activity. The current situation is that few and rather small groups are working on laboratory models for homeopathy. Regarding the interpretation of data in view of the simile principle, we observe that there are different levels of similarity and that the laboratory data give support to this principle, but have not yet yielded the ultimate answer to the action mechanism of homeopathy. Evidence of the biological activity in vitro of highly diluted-dynamized solutions is slowly accumulating, with some conflicting reports. It is our hope that this review of literature unknown to most people will give an original and useful insight into the 'state-of-the-art' of homeopathy, without final conclusions 'for' or 'against' this modality. This kind of uncertainty may be difficult to accept, but is conceivably the most open-minded position now.

Figure 1

Normal activation of basophil degranulation caused by anti IgE antibodies. This activation is not only driven by specific allergens, but also by the binding of antibodies against IgE heavy chains (anti-IgE) and involves changes in membrane ion fluxes (particularly calcium ions), changes in cell membrane electrical polarity, and other mechanisms that eventually lead to exocytosis and the release of mediators. Cell activation is evaluated by optical microscopy as a loss of staining properties. To be precise, loss of staining properties is not exactly the same biological phenomenon as cell degranulation, but indicates a change of the granule membrane permeability. Another typical response to activation is the increased expression of CD63 proteins, which are translocated from internal pools to the cell surface. Insert: electron microscopy of a mast cell.

Figure 2

Inhibition of basophil degranulation by homeopathic dilutions of Apis mellifica and Lung histamine (8,11,12).

Figure 3

The scheme of the study reporting that basophils undergo ‘degranulation’ (metachromasia) not only at usual anti-IgE antibody doses (10⁻³ mg/ml) but also at extremely high dilutions (10⁶⁰ or 10¹²⁰ times lower than the concentrations usually leading to a molecular interaction) (2). The dose–response curves of Anti-IgE (see insert) at increasing dilutions first showed the disappearance of activity and then its re-appearance followed by various peaks of alternating activity and inactivity up to extremely high dilutions.

Figure 4

The effects of ultra-high dilutions of pure histamine on basophil activation, assessed by optical evaluation of granule staining (–27).

Figure 5

The effects of ultra-high dilutions of pure histamine on basophil activation, assessed by flow-cytometric measurement of CD63 expression (,–34). Data reported in the insert are from Brown and Ennis (32).

Figure 6

Dual effects of Podophyllum and podophyllotoxin on the human neutrophil metabolism according to the dose (63). For explanation see text.