Arsenic-Based Homeopathic Preparations Induce Metabolic Disruption and Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Cell Death in...

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with a poor median survival rate. There is an urgent need for effective and affordable anti-cancer agents for GBM treatment. In this context, arsenic-based homeopathic preparations may serve as promising therapeutic candidates.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album-induced cytotoxicity in GBM cells and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action in the U-87-MG and LN-229 cell lines.

Treatment with varying concentrations of Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of GBM cells growth in U87-MG and LN-229. These preparations induced distinct morphological changes and cell death in both GBM cell lines. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics revealed significant alterations in the key metabolic pathways. A total of 107 metabolites were quantified. Univariate analysis identified 73 and 30 significantly altered metabolites in Arsenicum album-treated U-87-MG and LN-229 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, U-87 showed 69 and LN-229 showed 50 significantly affected metabolites in the Arsenicum iodatum-treated groups. In GBM cells treated with Arsenicum album and Arsenicum iodatum, glycine and serine, which are involved in redox balance, were altered, while branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine)- essential for protein synthesis and mTOR signaling- were downregulated. Changes were also observed in nucleotide sugar, purine, and nicotinate/nicotinamide metabolism. The findings suggest that both agents cause strong metabolic disruptions, potentially contributing to their anti-cancer effects. Biochemical assays confirmed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential following treatment with these arsenic based homeopathic preparation.

Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album exhibit growth-inhibitory effects on GBM cells, likely through metabolic disruption and ROS-mediated cell death. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of cell death and to evaluate their efficacy and safety in vivo.