Systematic Review of Plant-Based Homeopathic Basic Research: An Update

Homeopathy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 107 (02) ◽  
pp. 115-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Anezka Sokol ◽  
Roman Huber ◽  
Paul Doesburg ◽  
Tim Jäger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Original Study ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Test Systems ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Publication Quality

Background Plant-based test systems have been described as a useful tool for investigating possible effects of homeopathic preparations. The last reviews of this research field were published in 2009/2011. Due to recent developments in the field, an update is warranted. Publications on plant-based test systems were analysed with regard to publication quality, reproducibility and potential for further research. Methods A literature search was conducted in online databases and specific journals, including publications from 2008 to 2017 dealing with plant-based test systems in homeopathic basic research. To be included, they had to contain statistical analysis and fulfil quality criteria according to a pre-defined manuscript information score (MIS). Publications scoring at least 5 points (maximum 10 points) were assumed to be adequate. They were analysed for the use of adequate controls, outcome and reproducibility. Results Seventy-four publications on plant-based test systems were found. Thirty-nine publications were either abstracts or proceedings of conferences and were excluded. From the remaining 35 publications, 26 reached a score of 5 or higher in the MIS. Adequate controls were used in 13 of these publications. All of them described specific effects of homeopathic preparations. The publication quality still varied: a substantial number of publications (23%) did not adequately document the methods used. Four reported on replication trials. One replication trial found effects of homeopathic preparations comparable to the original study. Three replication trials failed to confirm the original study but identified possible external influencing factors. Five publications described novel plant-based test systems. Eight trials used systematic negative control experiments to document test system stability. Conclusions Regarding research design, future trials should implement adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations and include systematic negative control experiments. Further external and internal replication trials, and control of influencing factors, are needed to verify results. Standardised test systems should be developed.

Reproducibility of the effects of homeopathically potentised Argentum nitricum on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomised and blinded bioassay

Homeopathy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 106 (03) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Claudia Schneider ◽  
Sebastian Patrick Arlt ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Vera Majewsky
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Original Study ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Lemna Gibba ◽  
Growth State ◽  
Successful Reproduction

Background: A previous study reported a significant statistical interaction between experiment date and treatment effect of Argentum nitricum 14x–30x on the growth rate of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the stability of the test system and intra-laboratory reproducibility of the effects found. Methods: Duckweed was treated with A. nitricum potencies (14x–30x) as well as succussed and unsuccussed water controls. The outcome parameter area-related growth rate for day 0–7 was determined by a computerised image analysis system in two series of independent randomised and blinded experiments. Systematic negative control (SNC) experiments were carried out to investigate test system stability. Statistical analysis was performed with full two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and protected Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. Results: In the first repetition series we found a significant treatment effect (p = 0.016), while in the second series no effect was observed. The negative control experiments showed that the experimental system was stable. An a posteriori subgroup analysis concerning gibbosity revealed the importance of this growth state of L. gibba for successful reproduction of the statistically significant interaction in the original study; flat: no interaction (p = 0.762); slight gibbosity: no interaction (p = 0.356); medium gibbosity: significant interaction (p = 0.031), high gibbosity: highly significant interaction (p = 0.005). Conclusions: With the original study design (disregarding gibbosity status of L. gibba) results of the original study could not be reproduced sensu stricto. We conclude that the growth state gibbosity is crucial for successful reproduction of the original study. Different physiological states of the test organisms used for bioassays for homeopathic basic research must carefully be considered.

REHBaR: a Publication Guideline for Homeopathic Basic Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 157-158
Author(s):  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Beate Stock-Schröer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Delphi Process ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
High Standards

Background: Specific efficacy of homeopathically prepared substances in high dilution levels is controversial due to the comparably low number of randomized controlled clinical trials and due to the low concentrations of the substances potentised. No generally accepted theoretical model is currently available to explain specific effects of such preparations. In order to unequivocally demonstrate any such effects, experimental research has to meet very high standards. Aims: Objective was to compile guidelines for homeopathic basic research regarding experimental design, implementation, execution, evaluation and publication. Methods: A Delphi Process was conducted, involving European researchers who published experimental work within the last five years. The Delphi process included a total of five rounds, three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences [1]. Eligible criteria were collected from existing publications concerned with the quality of homeopathic basic research. In advance a short questionnaire was sent to a selection of research institutes in Germany active in non-homeopathic basic research. Results: Regarding experimental design, the most important points to consider are: randomized and coded (blinded) allocation of the treatments, several independent experiments (including independent production lots), potentised or succussed controls, positive controls (to control reactivity of the system) and systematic negative control experiments to document test system stability and adequacy of the statistical evaluation [1–4]. A detailed publication guideline for authors was developed. REHBaR (Reporting experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research) provides a checklist of 23 items, supplemented with detailed examples [4]. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses should be given in the part ‘introduction’. Special emphasis is put on the ‘materials and methods’ section, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation, blinding, and statistical methods is required. The section ‘results’ should present sufficient details on analyzed data, descriptive as well as inferential. Authors should discuss their results and give an interpretation in the context of current evidence. Conclusions: Guidelines how to prepare detailed and informative publications are very common in clinical research [5]. To the best to our knowledge REHBaR is the first guideline to be applied by authors when preparing their manuscripts and to be used by scientific journals in the reviewing process in the field of homeopathic basic research. Furthermore the REHBaR guideline can be helpful for planning and conducting experiments as it includes fundamental qualitative standards. To which extent REHBAR can be used also as an instrument to evaluate the quality of a publication will be discussed.

scholarly journals Comparative study of two bioassays with weakened duckweed and yeast treated with homeopathic preparations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 129-130
Author(s):  
Tim Jäger ◽  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Meinhard Simon ◽  
Peter Heusser ◽  
Ursula Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Leaf Number ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Adequate Test ◽  
Sigmoid Growth Curve ◽  
Homeopathic Remedies

In homeopathic basic research, the question as to the most adequate test systems and apt methodology is still open. This investigation examined the hypothesis that more complex organisms show stronger reactions to homeopathic remedies than less complex ones. We compared two Arsenic (As5+) stressed bioassays with duckweed (Lemna gibba, a multi-cellular autotrophic organism) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single-cellular heterotrophic organism) regarding their response to homeopathic preparations [1]. For duckweed, growth rates of leaf area and leaf number were evaluated. For yeast, growth kinetics were determined by measuring slope, yield and Et50 (point in time when yield was half maximum) of the sigmoid growth curve. The experiments with duckweed and yeast were performed in parallel (same day, same location and identical homeopathic preparations). After screening 17 substances, three homeopathic preparations (Arsenicum album, nosode, gibberellic acid) were chosen for repeated experimental series [2]. Five independent experiments were conducted for each remedy with both organisms in parallel. Potency levels used were in the range of 17x–33x for duckweed and 17x–30x for yeast. To control for test system stability, systematic negative control experiments were conducted over the complete experimentation period. All experiments were blinded and randomized. The systematic negative control experiments did not yield any significant effects. Application of potentized Arsenicum album in the duckweed bioassay yielded the largest effects compared to water controls without remedies for the parameters leaf area and leaf number (p

scholarly journals Use of plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research - a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 140-141
Author(s):  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Lucietta Betti ◽  
Peter Heusser ◽  
Tim Jäger ◽  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Proper Interpretation ◽  
Plant Bioassays

Background: Experimental research on the effects of treatments with homeopathic preparations on plants was last reviewed in 1990. Aims: The objective was to compile a systematic literature review on plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research using predefined criteria. Methods: Literature search was carried out on publications that reported experiments with homeopathic preparations on whole plants, seeds, plant parts or cells from 1920 to 2010, in healthy, abiotically or biotically stressed conditions. Outcomes had to be measured by established state-of-the-art procedures and statistically evaluated. Using a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) those publications were identified that provided sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS > 5). Further evaluation focused on the use of adequate controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations and on the use of systematic negative control experiments to ensure proper system performance. Results: A total of 157 publications with plants were identified [1–3]. The 157 publications described a total of 167 experimental studies. 84 studies included statistics and 48 had a MIS > 5 allowing proper interpretation. 29 studies were identified with adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations, reporting significant effects of decimal and centesimal homeopathic potencies, including dilution levels beyond Avogadro’s number. Studies that tested series of consecutive potency levels reported a non-linear and discontinuous relation between effect and potency level. There were many individual studies with diverse methods and very few replication trials. 10 studies reported use of systematic negative control experiments, yielding evidence for the stability of the experimental set-up. Conclusions: Plant models appear to be a useful approach to investigate basic research questions on homeopathic preparations, but more independent replication trials and systematic research are needed. Systematic negative control experiments should be implemented on a routine basis to exclude false-positive and false-negative results.

scholarly journals Reproducibility of effects of the homeopathic dilutions 14x - 30x of gibberellic acid on growth of Lemna gibba L.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 196-197
Author(s):  
Vera Majewsky ◽  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Sebastian Arlt ◽  
Peter Klocke ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Test Organism ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Area ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Lemna Gibba ◽  
Test Substance ◽  
Image Analysis System ◽  
Water Control

Background: Reproducibility of investigations in homeopathy is still challenging. Duckweed (Lemna gibba L.), a monocotyledonous waterplant which mostly reproduces vegetatively and therefore builds genetically identical clones, may be a suitable test system for standardised trials. Aims: This study investigated if formerly observed effects of gibberellic acid 14x – 30x on growth of Lemna gibba were reproducible. Methododology: Duckweed was grown in dilutions of gibberellic acid (14x–30x) as well as once succussed (c1) and unsuccussed (c0) water control. Area-related growth rate for day 0–7 was determined by a computerised image analysis system. Three series including five independent blinded and randomised experiments each were carried out in the same way as in the original study. Only time and conductor of experiments were modified. System stability was controled by three series of systematic negative control (SNC) experiments with the same set-up, but distilled and autoclaved water was used as the only test substance. According to the series with gibberellic acid, each serie of SNC experiments included five experiments. Full two-way ANOVA (α = 5%) was used for statistical analysis. Independent variables were treatment and experiment number, dependent variable was r(area) for day 0–7. Data of each experiment was normalised to its mean value to allow a better comparison between experiments. Only if the global ANOVA F-test was significant (p < 0.05) we compared the investigated groups with Fisher`s LSD test (protected Fisher`s LSD). Results: No specific effects of agitated dilutions of gibberellic acid were found in the first two replication series (p=0.263 and p=0.062). In the third serie with gibbous Lemna gibba L. we observed a significant effect (p=0.009) of the homeopathic treatment, however growth was increased in contrast to decreasing in the former study. Variability in experiments with gibberellic acid 14x – 30x was lower than in SNC experiments. The stability of the experimental system was verified by the SNC experiments. Conclusions: When designing new studies to investigate reproducibility, different physiological states of the test organism must be considered. Variability might be an interesting parameter to investigate effects of homeopathic remedies in basic research.

scholarly journals Reproducibility of effects of homeopathically potentised Argentum nitricum on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomized and blinded bioassay

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 07-08
Author(s):  
Vera Majewsky
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Original Study ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Lemna Gibba ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Growth State

Background: Reproducibility of basic research investigations in homeopathy is still a challenging issue. A former study reported a significant interaction between date of experiment and treatment effect of Argentum nitricum 14x–30x on the growth rate of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.). In a reproduction trial with duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) and potencies of gibberellic acid duckweed appeared only then sensitive to treatment with homeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid potencies when the plants were in the growth state of gibbosity. Aims: This study investigated if formerly observed effects of Argentum nitricum 14x – 30x on growth of Lemna gibba were reproducible and if sensitivity to homeopathic treatment was influences by the growth state of duckweed. Methods: Duckweed was grown in potencies of Argentum nitricum (14x–30x) and one time succussed and unsuccussed water control (c0 and c1). Area-related growth rate for day 0–7 was determined by a computerised image analysis system. The original study including six independent blinded and randomised experiments each were repeated one time completely and a second time with 3 experiments. Every repetition experiment was carried out in the same way as in the original study, only time and conductor of experiments were modified. System stability was controled by systematic negative control (SNC) experiments with the same set-up, but water as the only test substance. All water used in potency and SNC experiments was distilled and autoclaved before. Statistical analysis was evaluated with full two-way ANOVA (α = 5%), using treatment and experiment number as independent variables and r(area) for day 0–7 as dependent variable. Data of each experiment was normalised to its mean value to allow a better comparison between experiments. Only if the global ANOVA F-test was significant (p < 0.05) investigated groups were compared with Fisher`s LSD test (protected Fisher`s LSD). Results: The original study observed a significant interaction between treatment and experiment number compared to cpool (c0+c1).Caused to the fact that in the first repetition series a significant treatment difference between c0 and c1 was found, additionally a significant interaction between experiment number and c0 and c1, it was not possible to pool c0 and c1. All data (original study, as well as repetition series 1 and 2) was evaluated comparing potencies to one time succussed control c1. This new statistical evaluation confirmed the significant interaction between treatment and experiment number for data of the original study (p = 0.0055). In the first repetition series a significant treatment effect (p = 0.016) was observed, in the second series no effect.Variability in experiments with Argentum nitricum 14x – 30x was higher than in SNC experiments. The stability of the experimental system was verified by the SNC experiments. An a posteriori subgroup analysis suggests that using a specific growth state of Lemna gibba (gibbosity) seems to be crucial for successful reproduction of the significant interaction of the original study. Conclusions: With the original study design chosen (disregarding gibbosity of Lemna gibba), results of the original study could not be reproduced. Bioassays for use in homeopathic basic research must carefully consider different physiological states of the test organisms. Variability might be an interesting parameter to investigate effects of homeopathic remedies in basic research.

scholarly journals Investigation of Arsenic-Stressed Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a Bioassay in Homeopathic Basic Research

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 568-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Jäger ◽  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Ursula Wolf ◽  
Meinhard Simon ◽  
Peter Heusser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Test Substance ◽  
Experimental Setup ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

This study investigated the response of arsenic-stressed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) towards homeopathically potentized Arsenicum album, a duckweed nosode, and gibberellic acid. The three test substances were applied in five potency levels (17x, 18x, 24x, 28x, 30x) and compared to controls (unsuccussed and succussed water) with respect to influencing specific growth parameters. Five independent experiments were evaluated for each test substance. Additionally, five water control experiments were analyzed to investigate the stability of the experimental setup (systematic negative control experiments). All experiments were randomized and blinded. Yeast grew in microplates over a period of 38 h in either potentized substances or water controls with 250 mg/l arsenic(V) added over the entire cultivation period. Yeast's growth kinetics (slope, Et50, and yield) were measured photometrically. The test system exhibited a low coefficient of variation (slope 1.2%, Et500.3%, yield 2.7%). Succussed water did not induce any significant differences compared to unsuccussed water. Data from the control and treatment groups were both pooled to increase statistical power. In this study with yeast, no significant effects were found for any outcome parameter or any homeopathic treatment. Since in parallel experiments arsenic-stressed duckweed showed highly significant effects after application of potentized Arsenicum album and duckweed nosode preparations from the same batch as used in the present study, some specific properties of this experimental setup with yeast must be responsible for the lacking response.

Application of commercial test-systems to identify gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Patyka ◽  
L. Butsenko ◽  
L. Pasichnyk
Keyword(s):  
Erwinia Amylovora ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Test System ◽  
Phytopathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Test Systems ◽  
Facultatively Anaerobic ◽  
Microbiological Methods

Aim. To validate the suitability of commercial API 20E test-system (bioMerieux) for the identifi cation and characterization of facultative gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterial isolates. Methods. Conventional mi- crobiological methods, API 20E test-system (bioMerieux) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Re- sults. The identifi cation results for Erwinia amylovora, Pectobacterium carotovorum and Pantoea agglome- rans isolates were derived from the conventional and API 20E test systems, which, were in line with the literature data for these species. The API 20E test-system showed high suitability for P. agglomerans isolates identifi cation. Although not all the species of facultatively anaerobic phytopathogenic bacteria may be identi- fi ed using API 20E test-system, its application will surely allow obtaining reliable data about their physiologi- cal and biochemical properties, valuable for identifi cation of bacteria, in the course of 24 h. Conclusions. The results of tests, obtained for investigated species while using API 20E test-system, and those of conventional microbiological methods coincided. The application of API 20E test-system (bioMerieux) ensures fast obtain- ing of important data, which may be used to identify phytopathogenic bacteria of Erwinia, Pectobacterium, Pantoea genera.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Mutagenic Activity of Extracts of Brazilian Propolis in Topical Pharmaceutical Formulations on Mammalian CellsIn VitroandIn Vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Marques Senedese ◽  
Aline Rafaela Rodrigues ◽  
Michelle Andrade Furtado ◽  
Viviane Dias Faustino ◽  
Andresa A. Berretta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosomal Aberrations ◽  
Mutagenic Activity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Continuous Treatment ◽  
Mutagenic Potential ◽  
Topical Formulations

Propolis possesses various biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and antioxidant properties. A topically applied product based on Brazilian green propolis was developed for the treatment of burns. For such substance to be used more safely in future clinical applications, the present study evaluated the mutagenic potential of topical formulations supplemented with green propolis extract (1.2, 2.4 and 3.6%) based on the analysis of chromosomal aberrations and of micronuclei. In thein vitrostudies, 3-h pulse (G1phase of the cell cycle) and continuous (20 h) treatments were performed. In thein vivoassessment, the animals were injured on the back and then submitted to acute (24 h), subacute (7 days) and subchronic (30 days) treatments consisting of daily dermal applications of gels containing different concentrations of propolis. Similar frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were observed for cultures submitted to 3-h pulse and continuous treatment with gels containing different propolis concentrations and cultures not submitted to any treatment. However, in the continuous treatment cultures treated with the 3.6% propolis gel presented significantly lower mitotic indices than the negative control. No statistically significant differences in the frequencies of micronuclei were observed between animals treated with gels containing different concentrations of propolis and the negative control for the three treatment times. Under the present conditions, topical formulations containing different concentrations of green propolis used for the treatment of burns showed no mutagenic effect in either test system, but 3.6% propolis gel was found to be cytotoxic in thein vitrotest.

scholarly journals Genotoxic and Chemopreventive Effects of Vochysia divergens Leaves (Pantanal, Brazil)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Pollyanna Francielli de Oliveira ◽  
Suzana Amorim Mendes ◽  
Nathália Oliveira Acésio ◽  
Luis Claudio Kellner Filho ◽  
Leticia Pereira Pimenta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Test System ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Xtt Assay ◽  
Vochysia Divergens

The medicinal plant Vochysia divergens is a colonizing tree species of the Pantanal, a unique and little explored wetland region in Brazil. This species is used in folk medicine as syrups and teas to treat respiratory infections, digestive disorders, asthma, scarring, and skin diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential of the ethanolic extract of Vochysia divergens leaves (VdE), as well as the influence of VdE and its major component (the flavone 3′,5-dimethoxy luteolin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside; 3′5 DL) on MMS-induced genotoxicity. The extract significantly reduced the viability of V79 cells in the colorimetric XTT assay at concentrations ≥ 39 μg/mL. A significant increase in micronucleus frequencies was observed in V79 cell cultures treated with VdE concentrations of 160 and 320 μg/mL. However, animals treated with the tested doses of VdE (500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg b.w.) exhibited frequencies that did not differ significantly from those of the negative control group, indicating the absence of genotoxicity. The results also showed that VdE was effective in reducing MMS-induced genotoxicity at concentrations of 20, 40, and 80 μg/mL in the in vitro test system and at a dose of 15 mg/kg b.w. in the in vivo test system. Its major component 3′5 DL exerted no protective effect, suggesting that it is not responsible for the effect of the extract. The results of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed that VdE was able to scavenge 92.6% of free radicals. In conclusion, the results suggest that the protective effect of VdE may be related, at least in part, to the antioxidant activity of its chemical constituents.

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