EVALUATION OF MELANOGENIC AND ANTI-VITILIGO ACTIVITIES OF HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATIONS ON MURINE B16F10 MELANOMA CELLS
Joshi Samidha, Munshi Renuka, Talele Gitanjali and Shah Rajesh*
ABSTRACT
Background: Vitiligo is a multi-factorial disorder where the skin loses pigments. Homeopathic medicines are known to be effective for vitiligo. The melanogenic activity of homeopathy has not been evaluated in lab models. Materials and Methods: Cell viability assay was performed to observe the cytotoxic effect of homeopathy preparations on melanoma cells. The effect of homeopathy preparations on the production of melanin in melanocytes was determined using B16F10 melanoma cells. The activity was checked at the end of 48 and 96 hours using 30c potency and 1:1 dilutions of homeopathy preparations. Result: Cell viability assay results showed no cytotoxic effect on the cells. Hydroquinone, Arsenicum sulphuratum flavum (ASF) and Phosphorous (30C) potency showed increase in melanin content as compared to cell and vehicle controls. However, statistically significant increase was seen with Hydroquinone and ASF. The diluted form (1:1) of all the three homeopathy preparations exhibited slight increase in the melanin content as compared to both the controls but was less as compared to cell control. At the end of 96 hours, ASF and Phosphorus exhibited a slight increase in melanin content as compared to potentized control. There was no inhibition of Tyrosinase activity seen during the assay with the homeopathy preparations. Discussion and Conclusion: The experiment has thrown important finding supporting the very fundamental homeopathy principle, by stimulating melanogenesis in the small (potentized) dose of the substance which in the crude form is known to be induce vitiligo.
Keywords: Vitiligo, Hydroquinone, Arsenicum sulphuratum flavum, Phosphorus, homeopathy.
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