Examining the Effects of the Homeopathic Supplement, Nux Vomica, on Metabolism in Tetrahymena thermophila
Loading...
Authors
Duncan, Mila
Kolb, Hannah
Date of Issue
2024
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
The seeds of the Strychnos Nux-Vomica tree have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and have carried over to modern homeopathic medicine due to claims that it is a cure-all supplement for everything from liver cancer to hangover relief. Nux vomica's supposed medical benefits are thought to arise from the alkaloids, strychnine, and brucine found within the plant; however, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. The goal of this research was to determine whether the Nux Vomica supplement would affect metabolism in the model organism, Tetrahymena thermophila. We hypothesized that Nux Vomica would alter expression of the CDK3 and CAM1 genes due to its proposed anti-tumor properties while also affecting cell replication, metabolic rate, and responsiveness to chemical stimulation. The CDK3 gene encodes a protein involved in cell cycle regulation while the CAM1 gene encodes a regulator of cytokinesis that is expressed during cell division. To test our hypothesis, T. thermophila was treated with Nux Vomica for 48 hours before expression of the CAM1 and CDK 3 genes was measured via Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The T. thermophila cultures were also subjected to 3 behavioral assays at the end of the treatment period, including cell counting to monitor growth, deciliation to determine metabolic rate, and chemotaxis to analyze chemical responsiveness. We predicted that exposure to Nux Vomica would result in increased expression of the CDK3 and CAM1 genes, increased metabolic rate and chemical responsiveness, and decreased cell growth.