Arnica Montana 30C to reduce DNA damage due to ultraviolet radiation

The increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the surface of the earth due to depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer has recently fuelled a renewed interest in studies related to ascertaining various deleterious effects of UV-radiation on living organisms and possible remedial measures.

Radiation is one of the most effective and carcinogenic exogenous agents, that can interact directly with DNA or indirectly through generation of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus inducing DNA damage or altering the genomic integrity.

Researchers conducted a experimental research study to examine to what degree an ultra-highly diluted homeopathic remedy, Arnica Montana 30C (AM-30C), used in the treatment of shock and injury, can modulate the expression of nucleotide excision repair genes in Escherichia coli exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.

E. coli were cultured to their log phase in a standard Luria-Bertani medium and then exposed to sublethal doses of UV irradiation at 25 and 50 J/m2 for 22.5 and 45 s, respectively.

The UV-exposed bacteria were then supplemented with either AM-30C (drug) or placebo (P-30C).

The drug-treated and placebo-treated bacteria were subjected to assay for DNA damage and oxidative stress 90 min after UV exposure.

Several protocols like comet assay, gel electrophoresis for DNA ladder and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and biomarker measurement like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were conducted.

The mRNA expressions of the excision repair genes like ultraviolet repair uvrA, B and C genes (or also known as excision repair genes) were estimated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method.

The UV-exposed bacteria showed DNA damage and oxidative stress, as revealed by an increase in ROS generation, and a decrease in SOD, CAT and GSH activities.

As compared to placebo, the AM-30C-treated bacteria showed less DNA damage and oxidative stress as manifested by a decrease in ROS generation, and an increase in SOD, CAT and GSH activities. AM-30C also up-regulated the expression of repair genes as compared to the control.

AM-30C helped repair the DNA damage through up-regulation of repair genes and also ameliorated the oxidative stress through the reduction of ROS generation and suitable modulation of anti-oxidative stress enzymes.

Other researchers are encouraged to verify these results and design experiments of a similar kind to reveal further steps of gene regulatory mechanisms involved.

This work was financially supported by a grant sanctioned to Prof. A.R. Khuda-Bukhsh, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, India by Boiron Laboratory, Lyon, France.

The study is published in Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine: Volume 10   March, 2012   Number 3.

Potential of the homeopathic remedy, Arnica Montana 30C, to reduce DNA damage in Escherichia coli exposed to ultraviolet irradiation through up-regulation of nucleotide excision repair genes

  1. Sreemanti Das (Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India )
  2. Santu Kumar Saha (Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India )
  3. Arnab De (Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India )
  4. Durba Das (Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India )
  5. Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh (Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India

2 thoughts on “Arnica Montana 30C to reduce DNA damage due to ultraviolet radiation”

  1. Dear Doctor, please help me.
    I will have a lumpectomy on Wednesday; 2 weeks after i will have radiation.
    Please tell me how can i take Arnica and the strength of Arnica before and after the surgery.
    Tomorrow it will be the preparacio.
    A wire will be inserted in the right breast.
    Cancer kust inititiared; the tumor is about 1 square.
    Looking forward for your reply.
    Million thanks.
    I am female mid 40s.

    Reply

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