Influenzinum and Echinacea angustifolia: Boosters of Innate Immune Response In Vitro

Background: Some homeopathic medicines are traditionally used in medical practice to strengthen immunity and reduce inflammation. In particular, Influenzinum is used for the prevention of influenza-like illness, the management of possible symptoms following an anti-influenza vaccination, and post-infectious convalescence. Echinacea angustifolia is best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system and infectious syndromes. During an infection, innate immunity is the body’s first response. It is an immediate inflammatory reaction that involves, among other factors, phagocytosis and oxidative stress at the cellular level. The aims were thus to evaluate the effect of homeopathic dilutions Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH in inflammatory response and Echinacea angustifolia 5CH in non-inflammatory conditions during phagocytosis in vitro . Methods: We investigated the effects of Echinacea angustifolia 5CH on phagocytosis in microglial cells and monocytes, while the effects of Influenzinum were assessed on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on inflamed microglial cells and pro-inflammatory markers on inflamed macrophages and endothelial cells. Results: In inflamed conditions, Influenzinum 9CH significantly increased the production of IL-6 (interleukin-6) by 30% and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) by 39% in macrophages. In endothelial cells, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH significantly decreased ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) production by 20%. Furthermore, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH significantly decreased total ROS by 40% in inflamed primary microglia cells. In non-inflammatory conditions, Echinacea angustifolia 5CH significantly increased phagocytosis by 14% in monocytes and 33% in microglial cells. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Influenzinum and Echinacea angustifolia have a biological action in cell models in vitro. In inflammatory conditions, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH have an immunostimulant effect, an anti-inflammatory effect on vascular cells, and antioxidant effects. Echinacea angustifolia 5CH also stimulates phagocytosis. Overall, Influenzinum and Echinacea angustifolia have a boosting effect on various biological markers of innate immunity.