A Homeopathic Specialty Protects from the Mutagenic Effects of Mitomycin C

Abstract

A homeopathic specialty (DIG) composed of three herbal stocks, Berberis vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale and Arctium lappa at different dilution levels, was assessed for its antimutagenic properties against mitomycin C. The micronucleus assay on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells was used to evaluate the in vitro anticlastogenic activity of DIG compared with those of separately diluted mother tinctures. The micronucleus assay was performed on mouse erythrocytes, and the comet assay was performed on mouse liver, kidney, lung, brain, and testicles to assess the protective effects of DIG (0.2 and 2% at libitum) against an intraperitoneal injection of mitomycin C (1 mg kg-1) in mice. DIG exerted a powerful anticlastogenic activity under both pretreatment and simultaneous treatment conditions as assessed by the micronucleus assay in CHO-K1 cells with protective ratios reaching 74.1 and 55.5%, respectively. Its protective activity was greater than that observed for each mother tincture. DIG reduced micronuclei levels in mouse erythrocytes and suppressed 80% of DNA strand breaks in the liver, kidney, lung, brain, and testicles of mice exposed to mitomycin C. In conclusion, this specialty showed a great protective activity both in vitro and in vivo against the mutagenic effects of mitomycin C. These first results are promising regarding the follow-up of patients under chemotherapy.