Macrophages are cells that can be found in all of the organism tissues, and perform important functions in the immune system. The engulf and digestion of cellular debris and pathogens lead to the activation of the immune system through the presentation of antigens to lymphocytes, the secretion of substances capable of regulating the immune system and the elaboration of substances capable of destroying other cells and organisms (ABBAS, LICHTMAN & POBER, 2000). Ontogenetically, macrophages are originated from pioneer cells of the yolk sac, migrating to the liver, spleen and marrow bone before and right after birth. In adult individuals, macrophages are originated in a pluripotent myeloid cell, present in the marrow bone. Pro-monocytes originate monocytes, which move from the marrow bone into the bloodstream. Monocytes stay in the blood for 1 to 3 days, and then migrate to several tissues, where they differentiate and form a resident population of macrophages, with a life span that varies from 2 to 4 months (NELSON et al., 1990; NEVEU, 1996). Resident macrophages of the conjunctive tissue were previously called fixed macrophages and the ones that developed as a result from an exogenous stimulus and migrated to specific sites were called free macrophages. These names have been substituted by resident macrophages and activated macrophages, respectively (GARTNER; HIATT, 1997).

Activated macrophages are a little larger then the non-activated, mainly due to an increase in the cytoplasmic volume (STITES; TERR, 1992). They have their metabolic activity, mobility and phagocytic activity quickly increased (ERWIG et al., 1998) being much more efficient to destroy bacteria and other pathogens.

The variety of stimulus that can activate macrophages is really wide: direct contact with microorganisms or inert debris, with bacterial LPS, with products from the damaged tissue, with protein components of the system or the bloodstream. The activation may also be induced by certain cytokines that can be secreted by lymphocytes around (STITES; TERR, 1992). These stimuli modify some of its properties, such as growth, differentiation, activation, migration, endocytosis and secretion (GORDON et al., 1988).

Immune system disorders can be the cause for many infirmities, from autoimmune diseases to immune deficiency syndromes. Also, the responsiveness of the immune system determines decisively the patient’s prognosis and an inadequate or insufficient immune response may cause the loss of the organism’s fight against the disease. This is why physicians and researchers have been more and more interested in medicaments and therapies that act as immune response modulators, aiming the regulation of the organism to respond, in an adequate way, to any aggressive stimulus, without any side effects to it.

Most medical treatments are effective to control diseases, but many times they produce undesirable side effects. Homeopathy is a method of treatment that aims to intensify the mechanisms of cure of the own organism, and generally do not present toxicity, making this medical specialty be more popular everyday. But homeopathy still lacks much scientific research on its mechanisms of action. Canova® is a homeopathic medicine that has been used successfully in the treatment of many patients, the ones that need a stimulation of the immune system. Canova is prescribed along with usual allopathic medicines, recommended for the diseases. Patients present an improvement in their symptoms and, specially, in their quality of life. Besides, Canova seems to relieve the side effects of the conventional medicines, with whom they have been used together.

in many cases, homeopathy may be the main therapy to aid for the cure, but in many other situations it can be an additional help in the conventional therapeutic arc.

Resident Macrophages

Macrophages treated with Canova®

Resident Macrophages

Macrophages treated with Canova®

Aveola human macrophages

Control group

Group treated with Canova®

Control group

Group treated with Canova®