Title : Comparison of anti-cancer activity of homeopathic potency of Linum usitatissimum and its potentized distilled alcohol against breast cancer cells
Abstract:
A lot of research is being done to showcase the invitro anti-cancer potential of homeopathic potencies. However, their efficacy as an anti-cancer drug is being questioned due to the known toxicity of alcohol used in the preparation of homeopathic potencies. We for the first time have done a detailed study comparing the anti-cancer activity of a homeopathic potency with its potentized distilled alcohol. The effect of different potencies (6C, 12C, 30C, 200C and 1M) of Linum usitatissimum (LU) and their respective potentized distilled alcohol D.A was evaluated on the viability of breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and non-cancerous mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) cell lines. From cell viability assay, 6C was found to be the most effective potency of LU. However, its potentized D.A also reduced the viability of breast cancer cells. 6P did not affected the viability of MCF-10A. on the other hand, 6C showed mild inhibitory effect on the viability of MCF-10A. 6P and 6C reduced the growth kinetics of breast cancer cells in a time (24, 48 and 72h) dependent manner. In order to observe any difference between 6C and 6P at molecular level non killing dilution of 6C and 6P [where the percentage (0.2 %) of alcohol going into the cells was very less and non-toxic] were selected. 6C and 6P was studied for their effect on mitochondrial membrane depolarization (measure of apoptosis) and mRNA expression of apoptosis markers (caspase3, cytochrome c), tumor suppressor (p53), tumor activator (MDM2) and angiogenesis (VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP13) markers in MCF-7 and MDAMB231. We found that 6C significantly induced mitochondria depolarization and triggered a caspase 3/cytochrome-c mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDAMB231. Further, it was observed that 6C increased the mRNA expression of tumor suppressor protein, p53 with simultaneous downregulation of MDM2 oncogene at mRNA and protein level. 6C decreased the mRNA expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-13 in MCF-7 and MDAMB231. Surprisingly, it was observed that potentized distilled alcohol of 6C (6P) also induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDAMB231, upregulated p53 expression with downregulation of MDM2 at mRNA level. However, it failed to modulate the expression of p53 and MDM2 at protein level, Further, from literature survey we found that in homeopathy, potentized alcohol is considered as a drug and is named as Alcoholus/Ethylicum, used in management of mild inflammatory conditions. The study proved that the anticancer activity of 6C is due to the presence of Linum usitatissimum in nano form and not due to the toxicity of its potentized alcohol.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- By evaluating the anti-cancer activity and mechanism of action of L. usitatissimum at in vitro level, a scientific evidence has been generated that in future would form the basis of further pre-clinical studies.
- 6C potency of L. usitatissimum exhibit anti-cancer potential against breast cancer cells.
- Any effect of potentized alcohol (6P) cannot be considered a non-specific “vehicle effect”, but a specific effect of the homeopathic medicine Alcoholus/Ethylicum.
- At molecular level 6C differs in activity from its potentized distilled alcohol.
