<em>Influenzinum</em> and <em>Echinacea</em>: boosters of immune response in vitro

• DOI: 10.51910/ijhdr.v24i1.1493
• Publication Date: 2024-12-02T07:40:50Z
• Authors: Marie Boisson; Justine Verre; Anne Paumier; Sandra Tribolo; Stéphanie Chanut

Background: Some homeopathic medicines are traditionally used in medical practice to strengthen immunity and reduce inflammation. In particular, Influenzinum is used in clinical practice for the prevention of influenza-like illness, the management of possible symptoms following an anti-influenza vaccination and post-infectious convalescence. Echinacea angustifolia is the best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system and infectious syndrome. During an infection (viral or bacterial), the innate immunity is the first body response. It is an immediate inflammatory reaction which involves, among other factors, phagocytosis and oxidative stress at the cellular level (1). Objectives: To evaluate in vitro the effect of homeopathic dilutions of Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH and Echinacea angustifolia 5CH on biological markers of cellular inflammation and phagocytosis in several cellular models. Results: In inflamed macrophages, Influenzinum 9CH significantly increases the production of IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) by 26% and 34%, respectively, compared with placebo which help to eliminate pathogens. In inflamed endothelial cells, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH significatly decrease ICAM-1(InterCellular Adhesion Molecule-1) production by 20% compared with placebo, limiting the vascular inflammation. Furthermore, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH demonstrated an antioxidant effects by significantly decreasing total ROS (reactive oxygen species) in inflamed primary microglia cells. Moreover, Echinacea angustifolia 5CH significantly increases the phagocytosis by 15% in monocytes and 25% in microglial cells compared with water (placebo) in non-inflammatory conditions. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Influenzinum and Echinacea angustifolia have a biological action in cell models in vitro. In inflammatory conditions, Influenzinum 9CH and 15CH have (i) immunostimulant effect, (ii) anti-inflammlatory effect on vascular cells, (iii) antioxidant effect. Echinacea angustifolia 5CH stimulates phagocytosis. Overall, Influenzinum and Echinacea angustifolia have a boosting effect on various biological parameters of innate immunity.