Marzotto et al. showed that homeopathic preparations of Amica montana L. acted directly on gene expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein- 1 (THP-1) monocyte/macrophage cell lines activated with phorbol 12-mydstate 13- ac...Marzotto et al. showed that homeopathic preparations of Amica montana L. acted directly on gene expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein- 1 (THP-1) monocyte/macrophage cell lines activated with phorbol 12-mydstate 13- acetate and interleukin-4 (IL-4). A. montana homeopathic dilutions are used in complementary and alternative medicine to treat inflammation disorders and post-traumatic events as well as for wound repair. The French Pharmacopoeia of these remedies uses 0.3% ethanol in each centesimal dilution. In this paper, we discuss how ethanol-containing A. montana homeopathic centesimal dilutions can change gene expression in IL-4- treated monocyte/macrophage THP-I. We assessed the role of ethanol in the Arnica homeopathic dilutions containing this alcohol by investigating its action on gene expression of THP-1 cell. Evidence would strongly suggest that the presence of ethanol in these remedies might play a fundamental role in the dilutions ability to affect gene expression, particularly for doses from 5c to 15c. Where, rather than playing a major role in the mesoscopic structure of water, the ethanol might have a chemical-physical role in the induction of THP-1 gene expression, apoptosis, and deoxyribonucleic acid function. This evidence generates a debate about the suggestion that the use of a binary-mixed solvent in homeopathic chemistry, used by Hahnemann since 1810, may be fundamental to explain the activity of homeopathy on cell models.展开更多
Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its ho...Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its homeopathic dilutions are able to modify the expression of a series of genes involved in inflamma- tion and connective tissue regeneration. Their studies opened a debate, including criticisms to the "errors" in the methods used and the "confounders and biases". Here the authors show that the criticisms raised on methodology and statistics are not consistent and cannot be considered pertinent. The present comment also updates and reviews information concerning the action of A. montana dilutions in human macrophage cells while summarizing the major experimental advances reported on this interesting medicinal plant.展开更多
Esthetic treatments can induce swelling and bruises. Thus, a treatment that would prevent or hasten the resolution of bruising should be very useful. Generally, the regression of bruising was conducted with patients o...Esthetic treatments can induce swelling and bruises. Thus, a treatment that would prevent or hasten the resolution of bruising should be very useful. Generally, the regression of bruising was conducted with patients or animals models. So we decided firstly to develop an ex vivo model in order to test antibruising properties of topical formulations and secondly to evaluate a curative effect of a cream (mixture of arnica extract and apigenin) in comparison with a positive control (vulnerary cream) and also to estimate the preventive interest of this cream. The results showed that the injection of 25 μl of blood into the dermis of skin fragments was sufficient to create a model of induced-bruise. The duration of 24 hours was chosen to compare the effects of actives on the decrease in the size of the bruise. Joint effects of a pretreatment and a treatment of a mixture of arnica extract and apigenin decreased significantly the area of bruising compared to the treatment group, the control group and the positive control group. Many topical products claim to improve bruising on their package label. Our model can demonstrate their efficacy and determinate the best topical antibruising formulation. The mechanism involved in anti-inflammatory activity of active compounds of topical formulations is often not fully understood. Our blood-induced model may bring some responses through the study of mediators of the inflammation.展开更多
文摘Marzotto et al. showed that homeopathic preparations of Amica montana L. acted directly on gene expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein- 1 (THP-1) monocyte/macrophage cell lines activated with phorbol 12-mydstate 13- acetate and interleukin-4 (IL-4). A. montana homeopathic dilutions are used in complementary and alternative medicine to treat inflammation disorders and post-traumatic events as well as for wound repair. The French Pharmacopoeia of these remedies uses 0.3% ethanol in each centesimal dilution. In this paper, we discuss how ethanol-containing A. montana homeopathic centesimal dilutions can change gene expression in IL-4- treated monocyte/macrophage THP-I. We assessed the role of ethanol in the Arnica homeopathic dilutions containing this alcohol by investigating its action on gene expression of THP-1 cell. Evidence would strongly suggest that the presence of ethanol in these remedies might play a fundamental role in the dilutions ability to affect gene expression, particularly for doses from 5c to 15c. Where, rather than playing a major role in the mesoscopic structure of water, the ethanol might have a chemical-physical role in the induction of THP-1 gene expression, apoptosis, and deoxyribonucleic acid function. This evidence generates a debate about the suggestion that the use of a binary-mixed solvent in homeopathic chemistry, used by Hahnemann since 1810, may be fundamental to explain the activity of homeopathy on cell models.
文摘Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its homeopathic dilutions are able to modify the expression of a series of genes involved in inflamma- tion and connective tissue regeneration. Their studies opened a debate, including criticisms to the "errors" in the methods used and the "confounders and biases". Here the authors show that the criticisms raised on methodology and statistics are not consistent and cannot be considered pertinent. The present comment also updates and reviews information concerning the action of A. montana dilutions in human macrophage cells while summarizing the major experimental advances reported on this interesting medicinal plant.
文摘Esthetic treatments can induce swelling and bruises. Thus, a treatment that would prevent or hasten the resolution of bruising should be very useful. Generally, the regression of bruising was conducted with patients or animals models. So we decided firstly to develop an ex vivo model in order to test antibruising properties of topical formulations and secondly to evaluate a curative effect of a cream (mixture of arnica extract and apigenin) in comparison with a positive control (vulnerary cream) and also to estimate the preventive interest of this cream. The results showed that the injection of 25 μl of blood into the dermis of skin fragments was sufficient to create a model of induced-bruise. The duration of 24 hours was chosen to compare the effects of actives on the decrease in the size of the bruise. Joint effects of a pretreatment and a treatment of a mixture of arnica extract and apigenin decreased significantly the area of bruising compared to the treatment group, the control group and the positive control group. Many topical products claim to improve bruising on their package label. Our model can demonstrate their efficacy and determinate the best topical antibruising formulation. The mechanism involved in anti-inflammatory activity of active compounds of topical formulations is often not fully understood. Our blood-induced model may bring some responses through the study of mediators of the inflammation.