Antiviral activity of Engystol: an in vitro analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of the homeopathic preparation Engystol (Biologische Heilmittel HEEL GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany) on a panel [corrected] of human pathogenic viruses in vitro.


METHODS
The effects of Engystol were studied using plaque-reduction assays and virus titration assays, and by quantification of newly synthesized viral proteins in virus-specific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISAs).


METHODS
The DNA viruses Adeno 5 and herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), the RNA virus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human rhinovirus (HRV).


RESULTS
A 73% reduction of Adeno 5 specific proteins and an 80% reduction in HSV-1 specific proteins were observed in ELISAs of virus-infected cells treated with Engystol after infection. The effects appeared to be dose-dependent. With these viruses, similar results were observed in titration assays of viral offspring from cells treated with Engystol. Pretreatment of adenovirus with Engystol did not inhibit the infectivity of the virus suspension and no Engystol-induced stimulation of interferon-alpha could be observed. Plaque-reduction assays with the RNA viruses, RSV and HRV, showed reductions in infectivity by 37% (RSV) and 20% (HRV), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate antiviral activity of Engystol independent of the activation of the cellular interferon system.
Oberbaum
Menachem
M
The Center of Integrated Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. oberbaum@szmc.org.il
Glatthaar-Saalmüller
Bernadette
B
Stolt
Pelle
P
Weiser
Michael
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C411352:engystol-N