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Red and near-infrared light treatment can change the intensity of biophoton emissions in cell culture.

Scientific reports · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6771

In Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes, baseline biophoton emissions were low (~12 photons/s) and similar between cell types. Stress altered emissions depending on the toxin (sodium troclosene increased emissions; rotenone had a more limited impact). Red/near-infra…

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2025
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We explored the patterns of biophoton-ultra-weak light made by cells-emissions in Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes in culture. Biophotons were detected using a photomultiplier as a single photon counter. We measured intensity of emissions when healthy (and at rest), stressed with toxins (sodium troclosene or rotenone) and/or treated with red and near infrared light (R-NIr). We measured ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels also. Our results showed that emissions from Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes were similar when both healthy and stressed. Both cell types emitted biophotons at low intensities when healthy (~ 12 photons/s), but this changed markedly under stress. The extent of change was however, dependant on the stressor involved; at the concentrations we used, sodium troclosene increased emissions, while rotenone had a far more limited impact. Finally, we showed that R-NIr did not influence emissions when healthy, but did so when stressed, particularly with sodium troclosene. Under our experimental time-lines, these emission patterns under different conditions did not relate uniformly to the changes in ATP and ROS levels. In summary, we found that biophoton emissions did not readily define cell type, but could-under some circumstances-be reflective of cell health. Further, that R-NIr could influence these emissions, particularly under stress.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro
Effect directionmixed
PopulationNot supplied
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes, baseline biophoton emissions were low (~12 photons/s) and similar between cell types. Stress altered emissions depending on the toxin (sodium troclosene increased emissions; rotenone had a more limited impact). Red/near-infrared light did not influence emissions in healthy cells but did influence emissions under stress, particularly with sodium troclosene; emission patterns did not relate uniformly to ATP and ROS changes under the experimental timelines.

Outcomes measured

  • Biophoton (ultra-weak light) emission intensity (photons/s)
  • ATP levels
  • ROS levels

Limitations

  • In vitro cell culture model (Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes)
  • Exposure parameters for red/near-infrared light (e.g., wavelength, irradiance, duration) not specified in abstract
  • Toxin concentrations and detailed experimental timelines not specified in abstract
  • Relationship between emissions and ATP/ROS described as not uniform under the timelines used
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "red and near-infrared light treatment",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Biophoton (ultra-weak light) emission intensity (photons/s)",
    "ATP levels",
    "ROS levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes, baseline biophoton emissions were low (~12 photons/s) and similar between cell types. Stress altered emissions depending on the toxin (sodium troclosene increased emissions; rotenone had a more limited impact). Red/near-infrared light did not influence emissions in healthy cells but did influence emissions under stress, particularly with sodium troclosene; emission patterns did not relate uniformly to ATP and ROS changes under the experimental timelines.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture model (Neuro-2a cells and astrocytes)",
    "Exposure parameters for red/near-infrared light (e.g., wavelength, irradiance, duration) not specified in abstract",
    "Toxin concentrations and detailed experimental timelines not specified in abstract",
    "Relationship between emissions and ATP/ROS described as not uniform under the timelines used"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "biophotons",
    "ultra-weak photon emission",
    "Neuro-2a",
    "astrocytes",
    "red light",
    "near-infrared light",
    "photomultiplier",
    "cell stress",
    "sodium troclosene",
    "rotenone",
    "ATP",
    "ROS"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22344-0
PubMed: 41188307

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