Effects of Homeopathic Remedies on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation: A Methodology Study

Abstract

Background and purpose: Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells of mesodermal origin, which have the ability to differentiate into other cells in the bone marrow microenvironment under suitable conditions in vitro. Homeopathy is a holistic practice method that aims to improve health status with personalized homeopathic medicines. At the same time, it is among the certified training programs of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices of the Ministry of Health. Studies evaluating the effect of homeopathic remedies in the field of stem cells are rarely encountered in the literature. As a matter of fact, the material and method parts of these studies are not clear enough. In our study, the methodology of working with mesenchymal stem cells of homeopathic remedies has been presented in detail and it has been aimed to observe their proliferative effects. Material and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were exposed to 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% ratios of homeopathic remedies (30°C potency: Aloe, Calendula, Hypericum, Staphysagria) for 24 and 48 hours. The percent viability of cells at 24 and 48 hours was evaluated with the MTT (3-4,5-dimethyl- thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test. Results: Aloe vera C 30 – Staphysagria C30 – Calencula C30 – Hypericum C30 remedies were found to have an effect on mesenchymal stem cell proliferation at all doses, and the results were statistically more significant when maintained in 10% media. Conclusion: It is thought that the methodology used in this study on working methods with homeopathic remedies will contribute to the literature and many scientific studies to be done in the future.