In Vitro Effects of Phosphorus Homeopathic Dilutions on Biological Markers in Inflammation

Background: The chemical element phosphorus is metabolically ubiquitous, thus explaining its important place in the traditional homeopathic therapeutic arsenal. Phosphorus is a polychrest with several physiological targets, including blood vessels, skin, mucous membranes, and all parenchyma: hepatic, renal, pulmonary, cardiac, osteoarticular, and neuro-cerebral. Phosphorus is generally prescribed to relieve disorders associated with inflammation. Methods: To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects using inflamed cell culture models in vitro , Phosphorus 5CH, 9CH, 15CH, and 30CH dilutions were assessed on biological markers in an inflammatory state in various cell types. Specifically, changes in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) produced by macrophages, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressed by endothelial cells, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by microglial cells were investigated. The cells were first treated with homeopathic Phosphorus dilutions and then inflamed with lipopolysaccharide + interferon gamma (LPS + IFNγ) for macrophages, TNFα for endothelial cells, and LPS for microglial cells. After the treatments, the effects of Phosphorus dilutions were measured by ELISA and fluorescence microscopy techniques. Results: Phosphorus 30CH significantly decreased IL1β by 34% and TNFα production by 24% compared with vehicle in macrophages. Phosphorus 15CH and 30CH decreased ICAM-1 production by 13 to 27%, respectively, compared with the vehicle in endothelial cells. Phosphorus 5CH and 9CH significantly decreased total ROS production by 25% compared with the vehicle in microglial cells. Conclusion: Homeopathic Phosphorus dilutions have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in various inflamed cell models. Phosphorus decreased inflammatory biological markers (at 15CH and 30CH for ICAM-1 and 30CH for IL-1β and for TNFα) and oxidative stress (at 5CH and 9CH) in vitro.