Genotoxic Effects of Potentized Homeopathic Medicines on Plasmodium Berghei

Abstract

Homeopathic drugs have been evaluated for their suitable candidature as potent antimalarials. However, the exact mode of action, of these homeopathic remedies still remains a matter of conjecture. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of potentized homeopathic antimalarials on the integrity of the DNA of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain), in erythrocytes of Swiss albino mice. Short term in vitro culture of P. berghei was done with 50 µl of homeopathic medicines i.e. china (Chin.), chelidonium (Chel.), arsenicum album (Ars.alb.) and malaria officinalis (Mal.off.). The treated cells were passed through comet assay using ethidium bromide staining. The extent of DNA damage was expressed in terms of % head-DNA, % tail DNA, tail length and Olive tail moment. DNA damage was analysed in CASP software. Present study revealed that the 30 C potency of above medicines are capable of causing considerable DNA damage in the parasite. Maximum damage was observed in Ars. 30 C (16.4 ± 1.6 % tail DNA) followed by Chin 30 C (13.3 ± 0.7% tail DNA). DNA damage was significantly very less in Mal off. 30 C (2.6 ± 2.0% tail DNA) and Chel. 30 C (2.39 ± 0.4% tail DNA). Although, the exact mode of action of these remedies still remains doubtful. It is hypothesized that certain genes are responsible for the therapeutic activity of homeopathic remedies. From the study we conclude that even highly diluted homeopathic medicines disturbs the integrity of DNA. Further studies are required to confirm the role of specific genes and their expression to know the exact mechanism of ultra-high diluted drugs.