Inhibition of IL‐1β and TNF‐α Secretion from Resting and Activated Human Immunocytes by the Homeopathic Medication Traumeel ® S

Abstract Traumeel ® S (Traumeel), a mixture of highly diluted (10 -1 ‐10 -9 ) extracts from medicinal plants and minerals is widely used in humans to relieve trauma, inflammation and degenerative processes. However, little is known about its possible effects on the behavior of immune cells. The effects of Traumeel were examined in vitro on the ability of resting and PHA‐, PMA‐ or TNF‐α‐activated human T cells, monocytes, and gut epithelial cells to secrete the prototypic pro‐inflammatory mediators IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐8 over a period of 24‐72 h. Traumeel inhibited the secretion of all three agents in resting, as well as activated immune cells. IL‐β secretion was reduced by up to 70% in both resting and activated cells; TNF‐α secretion was reduced by up to 65 and 54%, respectively, and IL‐8 secretion was reduced by 50% in both resting and activated cells (P