Plant models for fundamental research in homeopathy

Background: Independent replications of preclinical investigations of homeopathic potencies are rare. However, they are a necessary tool to determine the relevant factors modulating the effects of homeopathic potencies in preclinical systems. Objective: The goal of the present study was to reproduce a trial published in 1997. An Italian group of researchers investigated the effect of Arsenicum album 45x on the growth of wheat which had been previously poisoned with a material dose of Arsenicum album. The homeopathic treatment was associated with increased wheat shoot growth significantly different from the control group (+24%, p < 0.001). Materials and Methods: Wheat poisoned with a sublethal dose of Arsenicum album was cultivated in either Arsenicum album 45x, water 45x, or unpotentized water. After 7 days, shoot length was measured. Reproducibility was assessed in eight independent experiments. Results: Arsenicum album 45x significantly inhibited wheat shoot growth (-3%) compared to treatment with unpotentized water and water 45x (p = 0.011 and p = 0.037). Within the experimental series performed in this reproduction trial, the effects of Arsenicum album 45x proofed to be reproducible. The wheat seed species used did not seem to have a significant impact on the experimental outcome. Conclusion: The result of this replication trial is a reversal of the original study, since Arsenicum album 45x inhibited wheat shoot growth instead of enhancing it. Nevertheless, high homeopathic potencies may induce statistically significant effects in biological systems. However, the magnitude and direction of these effects seem to depend on yet unknown parameters.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The Effects of a 45x Potency of Arsenicum album on Wheat Seedling Growth – a Reproduction Trial

Binder

Baumgartner²,

Thurneysen³

2005

“…Homeopathy is a widely followed medical practice despite its controversial scientific basis. Besides clinical trials, costly and ethically problematic, much efforts have been made in investigating UHD effects on in vitro and in vivo biological models [8,9]. That approach could provide deeper insight into UHD mode of action, thus giving hints for medical investigations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Variability in Evaluating Ultra High Dilution Effects: Considerations Based on Plant Model Experiments

Nani

Brizzi²,

Lazzarato³

et al. 2007

A series of experiments, performed on plant models with ultra high dilutions (UHD) of arsenic trioxide at 45th decimal potency has been reviewed with a particular focus on variability. The working variables considered are: the number of germinated seeds out of a fixed set of 33, the stem length of wheat seedlings and the number of necrotic lesions in tobacco leaf disks inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). A thorough comparison between treatment and control group has been proposed, considering the two main sources of variability in each series of experiments: variability within and between experiments. In treated groups, a systematic decrease in variability between-experiments, as well as a general decrease, with very few exceptions, in variability within experiments has been observed with respect to control. Variability is traditionally considered as control parameter of model systems. Our hypothesis, based on experimental evidences, proposes a new role of variability as a target of UHD action. This hypothesis may help interpret unanswered questions that keep rising in basic and clinical research in homeopathy.

“…The present paper follows a recently developed field of investigation in which plant models are used for fundamental research in homeopathy [1]. Since it is very difficult to obtain reliable results in this field of study [2,3], plant-based bioassays may represent a relatively simple model on a laboratory scale that allows a large number of experimental repetitions to be performed which is useful for studying the problem of irreproducibility so often reported in homeopathic literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Biostatistical Insight into the As2O3 High Dilution Effects on the Rate and Variability of Wheat Seedling Growth

Brizzi

Lazzarato²,

Nani³

et al. 2005

Background: Most criticism of homeopathy concerns the lack of scientific bases and theoretical models. Fundamental research could make important contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms of action of homeopathic treatments. Plant-based bioassays are suitable for basic research - lacking the placebo effect and ensuring large data samples for structured statistical analyses. Objective: The aim of this study was to reproduce a previous experiment on the effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) high dilutions on wheat seedling growth in order to verify whether the same significant results could be obtained working in a different place and with a different experimental team. A further goal was to investigate high dilution effects on variability. Material and Methods: A structured experiment was performed blind over 9 weeks, using wheat seeds previously stressed with a sublethal dose of As2O3. The seeds were then treated with either potentized As2O3 (5x, 15x, 25x, 35x, 45x), potentized water (equivalent potencies) or diluted As2O3 (10-5, 10-15, 10-25, 10-35, 10-45). The working variable was the stem length, measured after 4, 5, 6 and 7 days. Results: Some potencies (As2O3 45x and H2O 45x) induced a relevant increase in seedling growth and/or a variability decrease. Diluted As2O3 did not induce any significant results. Conclusions: Confirmation of a significant stimulating effect on seedling growth and a significant decrease of variability was obtained with ultra-high dilutions at the 45x potency. The model of wheat germination and growth has been confirmed to be a good tool for basic research in homeopathy.