Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Homeopathy is an alternative medical system practiced in all parts of the world. Although several theories are proposed to explain the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of selected homeopathic remedies often used to treat prostate and breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors investigated the effect of the homeopathic medicines Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, Asterias, Phytolacca, and Carcinosin on prostate and breast cancer cell (DU-145, LNCaP, MAT-LyLu, MDA-MB-231) growth and on gene expression that regulates apoptosis, using MTT and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the highly diluted homeopathic remedies used by homeopathic practitioners for cancer show no measurable effects on cell growth or gene expression in vitro using currently available methodologies.
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Authors | Rajesh L Thangapazham, Jaya P Gaddipati, N V Rajeshkumar, Anuj Sharma, Anoop K Singh, John A Ives, Radha K Maheshwari, Wayne B Jonas |
Journal | Integrative cancer therapies
(Integr Cancer Ther)
Vol. 5
Issue 4
Pg. 356-61
(Dec 2006)
ISSN: 1534-7354 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17101765
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Animals
- Apoptosis
(drug effects, genetics)
- Breast Neoplasms
(drug therapy, genetics, pathology)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
(drug effects)
- Homeopathy
- Humans
- Male
- Phytotherapy
- Prostatic Neoplasms
(drug therapy, genetics, pathology)
- RNA, Messenger
(metabolism)
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