Stimulation of natural killer cells by homoeopathic complexes: An in vitro and in vivo pilot study in advanced cancer patients. (13th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toliopoulos, Ioannis K.; Simos, Yannis; Bougiouklis, Dimitrios; Oikonomidis, Stergios
• Is Part Of: Cell biochemistry and function. Volume 31:Number 8(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 713
• Page End: 718
• Publication Date: 2013-02-13
• Subjects: Cytochemistry -- Periodicals; Cell metabolism -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbf.2960
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-6484

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The present study was designed in order to evaluate the effects of five homoeopathic complex preparations on functional activity natural killer cells (NKCs) in advanced cancer patients. We examined the effects of Coenzyme Compositum®, Ubichinon Compositum®, Glyoxal Compositum®, Katalysatoren® and Traumeel® on the functional activity of NKCs. Experimental procedures included <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> trials. The <italic>in vitro</italic> trials were performed in NKCs isolated from 12 healthy volunteers (aged 44 ± 4 years) and incubated with the five homoeopathic complex preparations. The <italic>in vivo</italic> trials were performed in 15 advanced cancer patients (aged 55 ± 12 years) supplemented for 3 months with the homoeopathic preparations. All five homoeopathic preparations significantly increased the cytotoxic activity of the NKCs at the lowest NKCs/target cell ratio 12:1 (<italic>p</italic> < 0·05). The order of activity was: Ubichinon Compositum® > Glyoxal Compositum® > Katalysatoren® > Traumeel® > Coenzyme Compositum®. In the advanced cancer patients, the homoeopathic preparation significantly increased NKCs cytotoxic activity (<italic>p</italic> < 0·05). The homoeopathic complex preparations tested in this study can be used as an adjuvant immunotherapy in advanced cancer patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>