Effects of Homeopathic Preparations of Mercurius corrosivus on the Growth Rate of Severely Mercury-Stressed Duckweed Lemna gibba L.

Abstract

Background We developed a bioassay with mercury-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) to study potential effects of homeopathically potentised mercury(II) chloride (Mercurius corrosivus [Merc-c.]). The response of this bioassay to homeopathic treatments as a function of stress intensity was also of interest. Methods Duckweed was severely stressed with mercury(II) chloride for 48 hours. Afterwards plants grew in either Merc-c. (seven different potency levels, 24x to 30x) or water controls (unsuccussed and succussed water) for 7 days. Growth rates of the frond (leaf) area were determined using a computerised image analysis system for different time intervals between the measurements on days 0, 3 and 7. Three independent experiments with potentised Merc-c. each were evaluated. Additionally, three water control experiments were analysed to investigate the stability of the experimental set-up (systematic negative control [SNC] experiments). All experiments were randomised and blinded. Results Unsuccussed and succussed water did not significantly differ in terms of duckweed growth rate. The SNC experiments did not yield any significant effects, providing evidence for the stability of the experimental system. Data from the two control groups and the seven treatment groups (Merc-c. 24x–30x) were each pooled to increase the statistical power. Duckweed growth rates for day 0 to 3 were reduced (p < 0.05) after application of Merc-c. compared with the controls. Growth rates for day 3 to 7 were not influenced by the homeopathic preparations. Conclusions The present test system with Lemna gibba L. that was severely stressed by mercury yielded evidence for specific effects of Merc-c. 24x to 30x, namely a growth reduction in the first time period (day 0–3). This is in contrast to former experiments with slightly arsenic-stressed duckweed, where a growth increase was observed in the second time period (day 2–6). We hypothesise that the differing results are associated with the level of stress intensity (severe versus slight).

Effects of Homeopathic Preparations of Mercurius corrosivus on the Growth Rate of Moderately Mercury-Stressed Duckweed Lemna gibba L

“…The control calculations conducted in the present and previous experiments 21,26 indicate that the effects of potentised preparations cannot be reduced to artifacts. Furthermore, systematic errors would not lead to growth-enhancing .…”

“…According to the present data, a growth reduction of 12.9% for day 3-7 led to growth-enhancing effects through potentised Merc-c (range 2). A growth reduction of 16.1% for day 3-7 in the former trial 21 with Merc-c., as well as the growth reduction during day 0-3 of 33.8% in the present trial, did not lead to significant effects (corresponding to range 3). The growth reduction during day 0-3 of 49.3% in the former trial 21 with Merc-c. would correspond to range 4.…”

“…Series no. 1) 21 with severely mercury-stressed duckweed Merc-c. potencies induced growth inhibition in the first growth period of day 0-3, whilst no effect was observed in the second growth period of day 3-7. We see these results as confirmation of our hypothesis that the growth inhibition induced by Merc-c. in the former experiments 21 is a consequence of the more pronounced stress in these experiments.…”

Individualized Homeopathy for Depression in Climacteric Women: Comments on the Retraction by PLoS ONE

“…However, to enable a better understanding of this point by the PLoS ONE editors, we provided them with a body of contemporary evidence published in peer-review journals demonstrating biological effects of homeopathic preparations in cell, animal, and plant models. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Homeopathic medicines prepared to 30c and 200c are not simply diluted to 10 À60 and 10 À400 respectively: if they were, then indeed one would expect them to be inert. But the homeopathic manufacturing process involves succussion (vigorous shaking with impact) between each step of serial dilution.…”

Diversity and Excellence in Homeopathy Research

“…Growth-changing effects of certain potencies of Mercurius corrosivus are observed in mercurystressed duckweed plants. 6 Our debate article proposes that an auto-sarcode of DNA could be used isopathically to modulate gene expression for the management of individual chronic disease. 7 Diversity and excellence have always been reflected in this journal's Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), and the list of members shown in this issue includes several new names who extend that description.…”