Abstract

Background: Homeopathy is a medical system based on the principle of “like cures like”. It involves the use of natural substances that can cause a similar illness in a healthy person to stimulate the healing process. Homeopathic medicines use an ultra-diluted concentration of substances, which cannot be measured; therefore, their effectiveness is a matter of debate.
Methods: To prove the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies, mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using RT-PCR and immunoblotting in primary cultured mouse chondrocytes and pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-e1 cells stimulated with a homeopathic dilution of Rhus toxicodendron.
Results: COX-2mRNA and protein were highly expressed in both chondrocytes and MC3T3-e1 cells stimulated with Rhus toxicodendron.
Conclusion: Rhus toxicodendron has been used as a homeopathic medicine to ameliorate arthritic pain and to modulate inflammatory conditions. During the inflammatory process, COX-2 is upregulated, which subsequently increases prostaglandin E2 production. Homeopathic dilution of Rhus toxicodendron increased COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, as confirmed by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. This study provides a unique approach for establishing the effectiveness of homeopathy; however, further studies are needed to examine the exact cellular signaling mechanisms.