Rocz Akad Med Bialymst. 2000 ; 45(): 246-54.

Stimulatory effect of some plant extracts used in homeopathy on the phagocytosis induced chemiluminescence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Crocnan DO, Greabu M, Olinescu R.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania.

Some plant extracts on a large range of dilutions as used in Homeopathy were tested on the chemiluminescence emission produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The high stimulatory action was noticed when extracts from Uvae Ursi and Saponaria were tested, as the classical effect exerted by zymosan was exceeded. A moderate stimulatory action comparable with that of zymosan was found when extracts from Echmaceea, Aleo and Prumis were used, as well as in the case of Propolis. The relationship between stimulatory effect and the concentration range is modulated as function of the extract source, several peaks being observed for some dilutions (Saponana), but generally no quantitative relations were obtained. By studying the time when a chemiluminescence peak was observed, it is possible to estimate wether the weight of the NADPH oxidase or myeloperoxidase pathways are involved in the stimulatory effect on polymorphonuclear leukocytes.