Scientific research reveals how this traditional remedy moderates the destructive immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2
During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors identified a mysterious and deadly phenomenon: some patients' immune systems were going into overdrive, attacking their own bodies with devastating consequences. This biological civil war, known as a "cytokine storm," became a signature of severe COVID-19 cases, where the very defense system designed to protect us instead turned destructive. The search for solutions to calm these immune overreactions became as crucial as finding antiviral treatments.
Amidst this modern medical crisis, scientists turned their attention to an ancient remedy—Bryonia alba, a climbing plant with a history in traditional medicine spanning centuries. Recent groundbreaking research has illuminated how this humble plant might hold the key to balancing our immune responses.
In a fascinating experiment using chick embryos, scientists discovered that diluted extracts of Bryonia alba could significantly moderate the destructive cytokine response triggered by SARS-CoV-2, potentially offering new avenues for treatment 1 2 .
Immune overreaction causing tissue damage in severe COVID-19
Bryonia alba used for centuries in traditional medicine
Modern research confirms immunomodulatory properties
Bryonia alba, commonly known as white bryony, is a perennial climbing vine distinguished by its palmate leaves and small, spherical berries. Beneath the surface lies what traditional healers valued most—a tuberous root system containing a treasure trove of bioactive compounds.
For over two centuries, this plant has been employed in phytomedicine and homeopathic preparations, primarily for treating respiratory infections, flu-like conditions, and gastrointestinal ailments 1 2 .
Historical records indicate that Bryonia preparations were used during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, suggesting our ancestors may have intuitively recognized its value in managing respiratory infections 4 .
| Key Compound | Potential Biological Effects |
|---|---|
| Cucurbitacins | Anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunosuppressive effects through NF-κB pathway inhibition |
| Bryonolic Acid | Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties |
| Flavonoids | Antioxidant, cytoprotective activities |
| Alkaloids | Powerful heme-oxygenase-1 inhibition, reducing oxidative stress |
Source: 7
These compounds work in concert to modulate biological processes, particularly those involving inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress—two key factors in COVID-19 severity.
To understand how Bryonia alba might affect SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, researchers designed an innovative experiment using 14-day-old fertilized chick embryos—an established model for studying immune responses and inflammatory processes 1 2 .
Chick embryos offer several advantages for preliminary research: they possess a developing immune system capable of mounting cytokine responses, allow for precise control of experimental conditions, and provide an ethical alternative to mammalian models.
Particularly relevant to COVID-19 research, recent studies have confirmed that certain SARS-CoV-2 variants can indeed utilize avian ACE2 receptors for entry, validating the biological relevance of this model .
The Bryonia alba extract used was a highly diluted ethanolic preparation (6C potency), containing less than 1 picogram of the original crude plant material—a concentration that aligns with homeopathic practice 2 . After 48 hours of exposure, researchers collected the allantoic fluid surrounding the embryos to measure cytokine levels and examined liver tissues for signs of inflammation and damage 1 .
The results provided compelling evidence for Bryonia's immunomodulatory properties. When the Delta SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD protein was introduced to chick embryos, it triggered the expected imbalanced cytokine response—similar to the dangerous immune overreaction seen in severe COVID-19 cases. However, the introduction of diluted Bryonia extract dramatically altered this response 1 2 .
The most significant effects emerged in the post-treatment group (simulating therapeutic use after infection), where Bryonia extract substantially decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β1. Simultaneously, it promoted increased production of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine that helps shut down excessive immune responses.
This dual action—dampening destructive inflammation while enhancing regulatory mechanisms—represents precisely what clinicians hope to achieve when managing severe COVID-19 cases 1 .
Histological examination of liver tissues showed that embryos treated with Bryonia extract displayed preserved tissue architecture, preventing the inflammatory damage seen in the RBD-only group 1 .
| Cytokine | Function | Effect of Bryonia |
|---|---|---|
| IL-6 | Pro-inflammatory; drives severe COVID-19 symptoms | Significantly decreased |
| IL-8 | Chemoattractant; recruits immune cells | Significantly decreased |
| TGF-β1 | Regulates immune function; can promote fibrosis | Significantly decreased |
| IL-10 | Anti-inflammatory; suppresses immune activation | Markedly increased |
| IFN-α | Antiviral defense mediator | Upregulated |
Source: 1
Perhaps most intriguing was the balanced nature of Bryonia's immunomodulation. Unlike some immunosuppressive drugs that broadly suppress immunity, Bryonia appeared to selectively regulate specific cytokines while maintaining overall immune function—an ideal characteristic for managing viral infections where some immune activity remains necessary to clear the pathogen 1 4 .
The implications of these findings extend well beyond the laboratory. The demonstrated ability of Bryonia alba to rebalance the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein provides a scientific foundation for its historical use in respiratory infections and suggests potential applications in modern therapeutics 1 4 .
Supporting evidence comes from a 2024 mouse study published in PLOS ONE, which found that different potencies of Bryonia alba could counter immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide chemotherapy 4 .
Treated mice showed enhanced immune parameters, including:
Source: 4
| Research Material | Function in the Experiment |
|---|---|
| Delta SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD Protein | Key viral fragment that binds ACE2 receptors |
| Bryonia alba 6C Extract | Highly diluted ethanolic plant extract |
| Gallus gallus domesticus Embryos | Developing chick embryos as biological model |
| Allantoic Fluid | Harvested to measure cytokine levels |
| Cytokine Analysis Assays | Laboratory tests to quantify immune molecules |
Together, these studies paint a picture of Bryonia as a versatile immunoregulator capable of either stimulating or suppressing immunity as needed—a valuable characteristic for addressing the complex immune dysregulation seen in COVID-19.
Future research needs to explore how these findings translate to human patients and determine optimal dosing strategies. The dilute nature of the preparations used in these studies also raises fascinating questions about how such minimal concentrations can produce biological effects—questions that push the boundaries of our current understanding of pharmacology and immunology 2 4 .
As we continue to face emerging infectious diseases, the integration of traditionally used botanicals with modern scientific validation offers a promising approach to drug discovery. Bryonia alba, with its centuries of traditional use and growing scientific validation, represents exactly the type of candidate that could bridge traditional wisdom and modern medicine in our ongoing battle against viral threats and their complications.
The investigation into Bryonia alba's effects on SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine changes represents a compelling convergence of traditional medicine and contemporary science. Through meticulous experimentation, researchers have demonstrated that this ancient plant contains compounds capable of rebalancing the complex cytokine network disrupted by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
While much remains to be understood about the precise mechanisms involved, the evidence points toward Bryonia alba as a potential natural immunomodulator—offering the ability to calm dangerous immune overreactions without completely shutting down necessary antiviral defenses.
As science continues to explore the vast pharmacopeia of nature, Bryonia alba stands as a testament to the potential wisdom encoded in traditional healing practices—and a reminder that sometimes solutions to modern problems have been growing quietly in our fields and forests for centuries.