Antiviral activity of Engystol® and Gripp-Heel®: an in-vitro assessment

Abstract

BackgroundInfections with respiratory viruses can activate the innate immune response - an important host defence mechanism in the early stage of viral infection. Interferon (IFN) release, triggered by virus infection, is an important factor in establishing an antiviral state, where IFN activation occurs prior to the onset of the adaptive immune response.The two ultra-low-dose combination medications, Engystol® and Gripp-Heel®, have documented efficacy for the treatment of the respiratory infections. However, the underlying antiviral mechanisms remain elusive.MethodsIt was the goal to investigate whether Engystol® and Gripp-Heel® display antiviral activity in a prophylactic treatment protocol (2, 24 and 48 h pre-incubation) using a plaque reduction assay and whether the medications affect the release of type 1 IFN in virus-susceptible cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).ResultsBoth medications demonstrate prophylactic effect against viral respiratory virus replication. However, when the incubation was continued for up to 5 days, both medications exhibited a pronounced antiviral effect which was dependent on the pre-incubation time. Moreover, in co-stimulated HeLa cells as well as in activated PBMCs Gripp-Heel® and Engystol® demonstrated an increased type 1 IFN production.ConclusionsEngystol® and Gripp-Heel® inhibited the replication of a variety of respiratory viruses. Additionally, we showed that pre-incubation affects the magnitude of the inhibitory effect differently for the various tested viruses. Both medications stimulate type 1 IFN release in different cell systems which suggests that their antiviral activity may be mediated possibly via modulation of the antiviral type 1 IFN host response.

Advances in integrative nanomedicine for improving infectious disease treatment in public health

“…In vitro, homeopathic remedies made from botanical sources demonstrate antiviral effects and the ability to stimulate patterns of change in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine release [183, 201, 202]. Even while dismissing the favorable findings, the otherwise negative (albeit highly flawed - [203–205]) Shang et al’s metaanalysis reported a subanalysis of homeopathy efficacy studies restricted to infectious diseases that revealed a strongly significant benefit of homeopathic treatment [206].…”

A model for homeopathic remedy effects: low dose nanoparticles, allostatic cross-adaptation, and time-dependent sensitization in a complex adaptive system

“…Previous empirical studies have shown that different homeopathic remedies modulate components of the allostatic stress response network. These findings include remedy-induced changes in heat shock proteins [7,17,146], cytokines [147-149], immune [150-153], metabolic [12,131], and nervous system [154-162] function, as well as gene expression patterns [9,163,164]. Nanoparticles per se can and do mobilize components of the allostatic network [165-167].…”

Testing the nanoparticle-allostatic cross-adaptation-sensitization model for homeopathic remedy effects

“…159,247–249 Adaptive changes in allostasis initiated by low dose nanoparticles during homeopathic treatment could help restore more normal balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as suggested by previous studies. 66–69,163,182,185,250–252 The result would be improvements of both psychological and physical well being across a wide range of conditions, as is claimed in hundreds of anecdotal case reports from homeopaths and supported by a number of observational trials. 253,254 …”

“…The endogenous adaptations include multiple, interacting shifts in central nervous system function, 9,52,53 autonomic balance, 54 heat shock protein activation, 55–57 cortisol release, 58–65 inflammatory cytokine expression, 66,67 and/or immune system mobilization. 68–70 A homeopath might describe the patient as “never having been well since” an adverse life event.…”