Homoeopathic Viscum album (10-3) is More Cytotoxic to in vitro Culture of Human Breast Cancer Cell Line than to Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

BACKGROUND Adenocarcinomas can be of several types, and MCF-7 is an adenocarcinoma of human breast cell line useful as preclinical model to screen therapeutic agents such as ultra-diluted Viscum album, an European plant whose extract is commonly used in cancer therapy. AIMS MCF-7 and mesenchymal stem cells were used to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of homoeopathic Viscum album 1x10-3 (VAD3). METHODS cells were cultured for 24 hours in controlled environment (37.5oC and 5% CO2) in 96-well plates. After this time, VAD3 was added to the culture medium in concentrations varying from 10 to 100 ?L/mL for MTT assay (evaluation of viability of cells). A control group was maintained with culture medium only. After 48 hours, the procedures of analysis of cells viability were performed. RESULTS MTT assay showed that the concentrations of 42 ?L/mL and 62 ?L/mL were able to reduce cell viability to 50% in MCF-7 and mesenchymal stem cells, respectively, which means that half of the cells cultured were dead after 48 hours in contact with VAD3. CONCLUSION Viscum album presented higher cytotoxic action on human breast cancer cell line culture than on mesenchymal stem cells. This medicine is extensively used against cancer, and the use of the homoeopathic form of it brings new possibilities as no or fewer adverse effects would be present.