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Updated: May 5, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Ultra-diluted Bryonia alba extract modulates HMOX-1 gene expression to attenuate the pathogenetic effect of
Pritam Goswami1, Debasmita Chatterjee1, Sayak Ghosh2
1Department of Biotechnology, R&D unit, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107, India.
Introduction:
Despite the familiar use of Bryonia alba (Bry-alb) in COVID-19, the method of accomplishment of this homeopathic medicine is not appropriately explored. Studies have revealed that constituents of Bry-alb can up-regulate the haeme-oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1) gene in diverse circumstances. In this experiment, we were concerned to explore whether a COVID-19-induced cytokine dysregulation could be managed by Bry-alb through this pathway.
Methods:
Fourteenth-day-old embryonated Gallus gallus domesticus eggs were divided into six experimental groups, and except for the control, all eggs in other groups were challenged with 100 μL of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain antigen (Ag) and Bry-alb (30 cH or 200 cH) via the amniotic route. Harvesting of all the eggs was performed after 48 h, and 5-10 ml of allantoic fluid was collected in sterile vials and preserved at -80°C. Later, RNA extraction was done, followed by real-time PCR to detect comparative cytokine and HMOX-1 gene expressions.
Results:
Equally IFN-α and IL-10 genes were augmented when antigen was injected and followed by administration of Bry-alb 30CH both in therapeutic and prophylactic dose but this alteration was less significant with Bry-alb 200CH. However, when the antigen was confronted after administration of Bry-alb 30CH, IFN-γ and IL-6 gene expression was markedly increased while other cytokines were decreased. In the case of the HMOX-1 gene, mild up-regulation was seen with administration of Bry-alb30CH but overexpression of the aforesaid enzyme was encountered with Bry-alb 200CH. Dose dependent variation in the expression of HMOX-1 is crucial to understand the action of the drug against SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion:
The study finding suggests that Bry-alb has a protective effect against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigen-induced pathogenesis by modulating HMOX-1 gene expression.
