Physicochemical Investigations of Homeopathic Preparations: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis—Part 3

Abstract

Objectives: In parts I and II of our review of physicochemical research performed on homeopathic preparations, we identified relevant publications and analyzed the data in terms of individual experiments, looking for the most promising techniques that were used in the past. In this third part, we analyze the results of the experiments seeking to extract information about the possible modes of action underpinning homeopathic preparations.Methods: We summarized the results from the 11 experimental areas previously introduced, extracting the general findings and trends. We also summarized the results in terms of specific research topics: aging, medium used for potentization, sample volume, temperature, material of potentization vessel, and, finally, the use of molecules to probe homeopathic samples.Results: We identified a number of effects that appear consistently throughout the data: Differences to controls seem to increase with: time, moderate temperature, small samples volume, and in ionic medium, whereas high temperatures seem to abolish differences to controls. Based on the present analysis, there is no consistent evidence to date for the nanoparticle hypothesis to explain specific homeopathic treatment effects. However, the quantum coherence domain hypothesis, the dynamic water cluster hypothesis, and the weak quantum theory are still contenders and need to be further assessed experimentally.Conclusions: The field requires further targeted experimentation to validate past findings reporting differences between homeopathic dilutions and controls, and to expand these findings by specifically testing the three main working hypotheses that are currently at hand.

Exploring Possible Mechanisms of Hormesis and Homeopathy in the Light of Nanopharmacology and Ultra-High Dilutions

“…23 However, as yet, there is no adequate replication of this research to fully confirm its veracity. Further, other observers claim, “there is no convincing evidence that highly diluted homeopathic preparations contain of the starting material.” 87…”

“…Further, other observers claim, "there is no convincing evidence that highly diluted homeopathic preparations contain of the starting material." 87 Upadhyay proposed a nanoparticle-based model to explain the bioactivity of serially diluted succussed solutions of a drug/ toxic substance/magnetic field. He called it "The Nanoparticle-Exclusion Zone Shell Model."…”

“…Independent reviewers have concluded, “there is empirical evidence for physiochemical characteristics of homeopathic preparations (i.e., measurable differences to succussed controls, such as increased UV absorption and increased NMR T1/T2 relaxation time ratios). Further, a number of physical and environmental influences were identified: Differences to controls seem to increase with time, moderate temperature, small sample volume, and in ionic medium, whereas high temperatures seem to abolish differences to controls.” 87…”

Physicochemical Properties of Zinc and Lactose in Solid Mixtures: Influence of Trituration Process

“…45 However, regarding solid mixtures, few reports are available to explain the mechanical energy transference to the excipient, and NP generation has not yet reached consensus agreement among homeopaths. 9,[19][20][21] Van Wassenhoven et al 21 analyzed the specific NMR relaxation times of centesimal dynamizations of Cuprum metallicum and Gelsemium sempervirens medicines in comparison with suitable controls. The results confirm that homeopathic solutions cannot be considered pure water, as the influence of several specific factors in the NMR signal could be detected, such as: the chemical nature of containers, the concentration of dissolved oxygen, the manufacturing process, and the influences of an electromagnetic environment.…”

The Science of the “Simile”

“…However, homeopaths use dilutions beyond the "molecular" limit established by the Avogadro-Loschmidt number (approximately 24 X or 12 C). This is a huge problem related to physics and chemistry [33][34][35]. Nevertheless, only a minimum part of the issue is dealt with here, limiting ourselves to present a few examples of laboratory evidence on the «doses» or «dilutions».…”