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

Abstract

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.

Biological effects and physico-chemical properties of extremely diluted aqueous solutions as a function of aging-time

“…• C in a recent work (Brizzi et al 2011) and in previous studies on in vitro wheat germination and growth (Betti et al 1997;Brizzi et al 2000Brizzi et al , 2005. It is worth pointing out that the consistency of the effects on wheat germination was observed despite the difference in treatment preparation between the present study (dilution process performed using as solvent an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate) and the previous ones (dilution process performed using water as solvent).…”

Efecto de productos homeopáticos en el crecimiento y la floración de Aphelandra squarrosa var. snowflake (Acanthaceae)

“…No obstante algunos homeopáticos han mostrado efecto, unos inhibiendo el crecimiento vegetativo, como la aplicación de calcárea carbónica a la 204 CH, floral a la 30 CH y PFP a la 200 CH, que reduce respectivamente en 13.9, 10.1 y 12.7% el diámetro de tallo de afelandra blanca a los 120 d después de la siembra, en esta investigación (Cuadro 1); la utilización de cólquico C. autumnale y nuez vómica S. nux-vomica, ambos a la 202 CH, que disminuye en 82% el crecimiento de plántulas de trigo y en 38.7% el rendimiento de la parte aérea del rabanito, respectivamente (Ruiz, 2003); la aplicación de calcárea carbónica a la 30 CH, que reduce en 19.2% el peso fresco de cebollín A. fistulosum (Sánchez y Meneses, 2011); la utilización de chaparro amargoso C. tortuosa a la 0/2 LM y aguas negras a la 97 CH, que disminuye 29.5 y 59% respectivamente el crecimiento en plántulas de trigo (Ruiz et al, 2001a y b); y la aplicación de arsénico a la 15 D, que reduce significativamente el crecimiento del trigo (Brizzi et al, 2005), así como otros, estimulando el crecimiento vegetativo, como la aplicación de Phosphorus a la 3 y 5000 CH, que aumentan el desarrollo foliar tanto en zanahoria como en betabel (Castro, 2002), y el diámetro del tallo de eucalipto blanco Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) (Duarte, 2007), respectivamente; y la utilización de Sulphur a la 6, 12, 30 y 60 CH, que incrementa en 25.7, 22.9, 36.8 y 25.7% el peso fresco de la parte aérea de Tomate Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae) (Muller y Toledo, 2013).…”

“…El preparado homeopático + vida a la 200 CH, que no redujo el porte y anchura de la planta, número de hojas y diámetro del tallo en esta investigación, indujo 60% de floración temprana en afelandra blanca y disminuyó de 16.1 a 22.4% using C. tortuousa to the 0/2 LM and the sewage to the 97 CH, decreases respectively 29.5 and 59% growth of wheat seedlings (Ruiz et a.l, 2001a and b); and application of arsenic for 15 D, which significantly reduces the growth of wheat (Brizzi et al, 2005) and others, stimulating the natural growth and Phosphorus applying to the 3 CH and 5000 CH, which increase the leaf development both carrot and beet (Castro, 2002), and the diameter of the stem of white eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) (Duarte, 2007), respectively; and the use of sulphur to the 6, 12, 30 and 60 CH, which increased by 25.7, 22.9, 36.8 and 25.7% fresh weight of aerial parts of tomato Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae) (Muller and Toledo, 2013).…”

“…Del producto comercial bonzi, que se comercializa en recipientes de 1 L a la concentración de 4 000 ppm de Paclobutrazol y se aplica a la concentración de 4 ppm (1 mL L -1 de agua), como inhibidor de crecimiento en algunas plantas ornamentales, se tomaron 2.6 mL y se colocaron en un frasco de cristal, color ámbar de 20 mL de capacidad, donde además se adicionaron 2.6 mL de alcohol puro de caña sin that 1 part of the original substance in 99 parts of solventdiluted, reduces the growth of wheat (Brizzi et al, 2005), and carbonic limestone to 30 CH decreases the fresh weight of onion Allium fistulosum (Amaryllidaceae) (Sánchez and Meneses, 2011).…”

“…The autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale (Colchicaceae) and the nux vomica Strychnos nux-vomica (Loganiaceae), both at 202 CH, decrease wheat seedling growth and performance of the aerial part of the radish, respectively (Ruiz, 2003), arsenic to 15 D, -dilution of 1/100 indicates El cólquico Colchicum autumnale (Colchicaceae) y la nuez vómica Strychnos nux-vomica (Loganiaceae), ambos a la 202 CH, disminuyen el crecimiento de plántulas de trigo y el rendimiento de la parte aérea del rabanito, respectivamente (Ruiz, 2003), el arsénico a la 15 D, -dilución de 1/100, indica que se diluye 1 parte de la sustancia original en 99 partes de solvente-, reduce el crecimiento del trigo (Brizzi et al, 2005), y la calcárea carbónica a la 30 CH disminuye el peso fresco de cebollín Allium fistulosum (Amaryllidaceae) (Sánchez y Meneses, 2011).…”