Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Thuja occidentalis 6C on A549 Lung Cancer Cells: Insights into Hormesis and GC-MS Profiling

Jaswant Patil, Neelraj Patil, Prithviraj Solanki, Shravani Wadekar, Manish Hate, Ramesh Chaughule

Abstract: This study evaluates the cytotoxic effects of ethanolic Thuja occidentalis mother tincture and its serial dilutions (1C to 1M) on A549 human lung carcinoma cells. Cytotoxicity was measured using the MTT assay for the commercial mother tincture (MT) containing 90% ethanol and its subsequent dilutions. Among these, only the 6C dilution showed moderate inhibition of cell viability, while the mother tincture and other dilutions had minimal effects. This raises questions about whether the observed activity results from residual ethanol toxicity, which is known to interfere with viability assays, or from a hormetic response typical of ultra-dilute homeopathic preparations, where low doses stimulate biological effects, as described in toxicology. Results of ROS assays for the 6C dilution in 1.25% (v/v) ethanol support the involvement of oxidative stress?mediated mechanisms. The selective cytotoxicity observed only at the 6C dilution suggests a hormetic response rather than ethanol-induced toxicity. This aligns with emerging evidence that ultra-dilutions near 6C may retain nanoscale structures or physicochemical imprints capable of modulating oxidative stress pathways in cancer cells. Overall, the cytotoxic profile of Thuja occidentalis on A549 cells appears to be potency-dependent and warrants further investigation, particularly with a focus on nanoparticle characterization and redox-regulated signaling mechanisms.

Keywords: Thuja occidentalis; Homeopathy, Hormesis; 6C dilution; A549 lung cancer cells

How to Cite?: Jaswant Patil, Neelraj Patil, Prithviraj Solanki, Shravani Wadekar, Manish Hate, Ramesh Chaughule, "Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Thuja occidentalis 6C on A549 Lung Cancer Cells: Insights into Hormesis and GC-MS Profiling", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 871-880, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25818183734, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25818183734