Effect of homeopathic treatment on gene expression in Copenhagen rat tumor tissues.
BACKGROUND
Increasing evidence suggests that the inability to undergo apoptosis is an important factor in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Agents that induce apoptosis may inhibit tumor growth and provide therapeutic benefit. In a recent study, the authors found that certain homeopathic treatments produced anticancer effects in an animal model. In this study, the authors examined the immunomodulating and apoptotic effects of these remedies.


METHODS
The authors investigated the effect of a homeopathic treatment regimen containing Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, and a MAT-LyLu Carcinosin nosode on the expression of cytokines and genes that regulate apoptosis. This was assessed in prostate cancer tissues, extracted from animals responsive to these drugs, using ribonuclease protection assay or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in mRNA levels of the apoptotic genes bax, bcl-2, bcl-x, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, Fas, FasL, or the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-beta, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and interferon-gamma in prostate tumor and lung metastasis after treatment with homeopathic medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that treatment with the highly diluted homeopathic remedies does not alter the gene expression in primary prostate tumors or in lung metastasis. The therapeutic effect of homeopathic treatments observed in the in vivo experiments cannot be explained by mechanisms based on distinct alterations in gene expression related to apoptosis or cytokines. Future research should explore subtle modulations in the expression of multiple genes in different biological pathways.
Thangapazham
Rajesh L
RL
Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Rajeshkumar
N V
NV
Sharma
Anuj
A
Warren
Jim
J
Singh
Anoop K
AK
Ives
John A
JA
Gaddipati
Jaya P
JP
Maheshwari
Radha K
RK
Jonas
Wayne B
WB
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006705:Homeopathy; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger