Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas: revisión de la literatura / Effects of high homeopathic dilutions on plants: a review of the literature

Entre los supuestos no convencionales de la homeopatía, el uso de medicamentos en diluciones altas (HD, por sus siglas en inglés) es una causa de objeciones y escepticismo entre la comunidad científica, formada dentro del paradigma de la dependencia de la dosis de la farmacología clásica. La investigación que busca evidenciar los efectos de las HD homeopáticas recurre a varios modelos experimentales (in vitro, plantas y animales). Objetivo: Describir los resultados de estudios con alta calidad metodológica que han demostrado los efectos positivos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas. Métodos: Tomando como fuente de referencia las revisiones publicadas hasta 2015, actualizamos la información añadiendo datos de estudios recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: De los 167 estudios experimentales analizados, 48 cumplieron los criterios mínimos de calidad metodológica, de los cuales 29 detectaron efectos específicos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas mediante la comparación con controles adecuados. Conclusiones: A pesar de que la mayor parte de los experimentos presentaba una calidad metodológica por debajo del estándar, los estudios que emplearon sistemáticamente reproducibilidad y controles negativos demostraron indiscutibles efectos significativos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas.

Among the non-conventional assumptions of homeopathy, the use of medicines in high dilutions (HD) is a cause for objections and skepticism among the scientific community, trained within the dose-dependency paradigm of classic pharmacology. Research aiming at evidencing the effects of homeopathic HD has resource to several experimental models (in vitro, plants and animals). Aim: To describe the results of studies with high methodological quality that demonstrated positive effects of homeopathic HD on plants. Methods: Taking reviews published until 2015 as reference source, we updated the information through addition of data from recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: From 167 experimental studies analyzed, 48 met the minimum criteria of methodological quality, from which 29 detected specific effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants through comparison to adequate controls. Conclusions: Despite the substandard methodological quality of most experiments, studies with systematic use of negative controls and reproducibility demonstrated significant indisputable effects of homeopathic HD on plants.

Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the Mahabad (West Azerbaijan) biosphere reserve: ethno-pharmaceutical formulations, nutraceutical uses and quantitative aspects

This study endeavors to overcome the limits of an orally transmitted pharmacopoeia, and tries to utilize the large ethnobotany patrimony of the area to investigate the biological diversity. Thirty-five traditional practitioners from dissimilar ethnic groups including traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous people were interviewed. A total of 35 species of plants, belonging to 20 families were recognized for the treatment of more than 26 types of ailments. Informant consensus factor (FIC) values of this study reflected the high agreement in the use of plants in the treatment of gastro-intestinal complaints, infectious, parasitic diseases and constipation among the informants. Constipation had the highest use-reports and 8 species of plants had the highest fidelity level (FL) of 100%. In addition one of the species showed the highest relative importance (RI) value of 2.00. Priority should be given to phytochemical investigation of plants that scored the highest FL, FIC, RI values; as such values could be considered as a good indicator of potential plants for discovering new drugs. In addition, traditional knowledge of THPs should be taken into consideration in order to smooth continuation and extension of the nutraceutical aspects and biological diversity of the region.

Toxicity and genotoxicity of water and sediment from streams on dotted duckweed (Landoltia punctata) / Toxicidade e genotoxicidade da água e sedimentos dos córregos em lentilha d'água (Landoltia punctata)

Most rivers are used as a source to supply entire cities; the quality of water is directly related to the quality of tributaries. Unfortunately men have neglected the importance of streams, which receive domestic and industrial effluents and transport nutrients and pesticides from rural areas. Given the complexity of the mixtures discharged into these water bodies, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of water and sediment of ten tributaries of Pirapó River, in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. To this end, the free-floating macrophyte Landoltia punctata (G. Meyer) Les & D.J.Crawford was used as test organism in microcosm, and the toxicity of water and sediment samples was evaluated by the relative growth rate, dry/fresh biomass ratio, and genotoxic effects (comet assay). Samples of water and sediment of each stream were arranged in microcosms with L. punctata. Seven days later, plants were collected for analysis. Nutrient levels were higher than the reference location, indicating eutrophication, but the results indicated a toxic effect for only three streams, and a genotoxic effect for all streams.

Muitos rios são utilizados como fonte de abastecimento de cidades inteiras e a qualidade de suas águas está relacionada diretamente à qualidade de seus afluentes. Infelizmente córregos têm sua importância negligenciada pelo homem sendo alvo de despejos domésticos e industriais e também do carreamento de nutrientes e pesticidas das áreas rurais. Diante da complexidade das misturas que atingem estes corpos d'água, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a qualidade da água e do sedimento de dez afluentes do rio Pirapó no município de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. Utilizou-se a macrófita aquática flutuante Landoltia punctata (G. Meyer) Les & D.J.Crawford como organismo teste em microcosmos, sendo que a toxicidade das amostras de água e sedimento foi avaliada pela taxa de crescimento relativo, pelo índice de biomassa seca por fresca, e pelos efeitos genotóxicos (ensaio de cometa). Amostras de água e sedimento de cada córrego foram dispostos em microcosmos com L. punctata. Após 7 dias as plantas foram coletadas para as análises. Os níveis de nutrientes foram maiores que o do local de referência indicando eutrofização; porém, os resultados indicaram efeito tóxico em apenas três dos córregos e genotóxico em todos os córregos.

Toxicity assessment and microbial degradation of azo dyes.

Toxic effluents containing azo dyes are discharged from various industries and they adversely affect water resources, soil fertility, aquatic organisms and ecosystem integrity. They pose toxicity (lethal effect, genotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity) to aquatic organisms (fish, algae, bacteria, etc.) as well as animals. They are not readily degradable under natural conditions and are typically not removed from waste water by conventional waste water treatment systems. Benzidine based dyes have long been recognized as a human urinary bladder carcinogen and tumorigenic in a variety of laboratory animals. Several microorganisms have been found to decolourize, transform and even to completely mineralize azo dyes. A mixed culture of two Pseudomonas strains efficiently degraded mixture of 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CBA) and phenol/cresols. Azoreductases of different microorganisms are useful for the development of biodegradation systems as they catalyze reductive cleavage of azo groups (-N=N-) under mild conditions. In this review, toxic impacts of dyeing factory effluents on plants, fishes, and environment, and plausible bioremediation strategies for removal of azo dyes have been discussed.

Toxicity of industrial wastewater to the aquatic plant Lemna minor L.

Toxicity evaluation of industrial wastewater has been done by using bioassay system of an aquatic plant Lemna minor at different time intervals. Growth inhibition was measured as reduction in fresh and dry weight in industrial wastewater and sewage water, exposed L. minor plants. Results of fresh and dry weight indicate significant decrease in industrial wastewater and sewage wastewater during the different seasons of the year. At 72 and 96 hr of industrial wastewater exposure, decrease in chlorophyll content was significant in comparison to control. Decrease in total protein content was 32.5%, 14.7% and 30.6% at 96 hr of exposure in industrial wastewater in premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon season. Exposure of industrial wastewater to L. minor shows that it is a highly sensitive plant to the pollutants present in industrial wastewater.

Effect of railway engines emission on the micromorphology of some field plants.

Plant species as indicator is the most common method used to indicate the effects of pollution on plants. However, the present study explores the usage of micromorphological parameters of the plant species as the indicators. The plants selected for the present studies included Croton bonplandianum, Cannabis sativa and Calotropis procera. The parameters examined were (1) abnormalities of stomata, (2) number of stomata per unit area, (3) number of epidermal cells per unit area, (4) stomatal index. The present studies on these field plants revealed that diesel engines emission caused appreciable changes in the number of epidermal cells and stomata per unit area. Plants of all the three genera growing very close to the railway tracks displayed an adverse effect on these numbers.

Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with cadmium and/or 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene.

Phytotoxicity, microbial activity, plant uptake and microbial degradation were examined using Rumex crispus in TNT and/or cadmium contaminated columns (TNT: 100 mg/kg of soil and Cd: 10 mg/kg of soil). The growth of plants was significantly inhibited by TNT, but not by Cd. The microbial activity was highly increased by plant root growth, decreased by Cd, and slightly reduced by TNT. The plant uptake of Cd was relatively well in Cd-contaminated column, but lowered by TNT in TNT+Cd-contaminated column. The microbial degradation of TNT occurred much faster in planted columns than in unplanted columns with minor effect of Cd (less 2-ADNT was produced). Therefore, it may be effective to treat TNT first and then Cd using phytoremediation in the TNT plus Cd contaminated sites.

Biological monitoring of roadside plants exposed to vehicular pollution in Jalgaon city.

Experiments on air and biomonitoring were conducted to evaluate pollution impact on the vegetation along the road in Jalgaon City, Maharashtra. The plantation along the roads and mainly includes neem (Aadirachta indica), peepal (Ficus religiosa), banyan (Ficus benghalensis), almond (Terminalia catapa). For biomonitoring, leaf area, total chlorophyll, plant protein were analyzed to study the impact of air pollutants. It was observed that vegetation at roadside with heavy traffic and markets was much affected by vehicular emission. Significant decrease in total chlorophyll and protein content was observed with reduced leaf area. It is concluded that plants can be used as indicators for urban air pollution, and there is need to protect the roadside plants from air pollution.

Biological effects of heavy metals: an overview.

Heavy metals constitute a very heterogeneous group of elements widely varied in their chemical properties and biological functions. Heavy metals are kept under environmental pollutant category due to their toxic effects on plants, animals and human being. Heavy metal contamination of soil results from anthropogenic as well as natural activities. Anthropogenic activities such as mining, smelting operation and agriculture have locally increased the levels of heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, As and Ni in soil up to dangerous levels. Heavy metals are persistent in nature, therefore get accumulated in soils and plants. Heavy metals interfere with physiological activities of plants such as photosynthesis, gaseous exchange and nutrient absorption, and cause reductions in plant growth, dry matter accumulation and yield. Heavy metals also interfere with the levels of antioxidants in plants, and reduce the nutritive value of the produce. Dietary intake of many heavy metals through consumption of plants has long term detrimental effects on human health.

Toxicological evaluation of bacterial decolourised anaerobically treated distillery effluent with common duckweed (Lemna minor).

Duckweed (Lemna minor) a small vascular plant, grows rapidly, is sensitive to a wide variety of toxicants and is easy to culture. A method is described that measures duckweed frond growth, chlorophyll, protein and biomass content as indicator of growth inhibition. The physico-chemical analysis of anaerobically treated distillery effluent revealed high BOD (28,000 mg/l), COD (52,400 mg/l) and dark brown colour (180,000 Co. Pt.). This effluent showed high toxicity to Lemna minor after 96 h of exposure in laboratory condition. EC50 of the fronds for chlorophyll, protein and biomass was found to be 25%, however, the bacterial decolourised effluent showed reduction of BOD (87.50%), COD (84.50%) and colour (76%). Further the toxicity evaluation with Lemna minor showed toxicity reduction up to 63% for all tested parameters. The EC50 noted for chlorophyll, protein and biomass was 100% concentration of decolourised effluent.

Allelopathic effects of Lantana camara Linn. on spore germination of Asterella angusta Steph.--a liverwort.

Extract from root, stem and leaf of L. camara proved inhibitory for germination of the spores of A. angusta. Leaf extract was found to exhibit maximum allelopathic potentiality followed by stem and root extract and may be interpreted to be the result of phytotoxic substances which are possibly synthesized in the leaf and translocated to other organs.

Amelioration of NaCl stress in Pisum sativum Linn.

Activity of endogenous auxins and growth inhibitors, gibberellins and cytokinins was observed in the extracts of seedlings of Pisum sativum under NaCl stress. After 6 days of germination, when Pisum sativum seedlings were subjected to low concentration of NaCl (50 mM) or boron (10 ppm) increased the endogenous growth regulating substances. Higher concentration of NaCl (150 mM) decreased endogenous level of growth regulators, length of the root and shoot, and fresh and dry weights of seedlings, whereas boron increased the parameters except endogenous growth regulators. Mitotic index and some abnormalities were observed in the treated plants. SDS-PAGE banding pattern of Pisum sativum seedlings extracted in tris-glycine and tris-HCl showed that lower concentration of NaCl increased the number of protein bands, while the higher concentration decreased these protein bands. Combination of boron and NaCl (150 mM) caused an increase in total number of protein bands compared with the total number of bands recorded by using NaCl (150 mM) alone.

Effect of chloramphenicol and kinetin on bio-production of total alkaloid and ascorbic acid in young celosia argentea linn. plants

Chloramphenicol and kinetin stimulated the production of alkaloids and ascorbic acid in young Celosia plants. Different concentrations of chloramphenicol and kinetin were applied as foliar spray on four weeks old plants. Chloramphenicol [120 mg/l] and kinetin [30 mcg/1] showed beneficial effect on total alkaloid and ascorbic acid production in young plants. The total alkaloid was determined by precipitation with ammonium reineckate; while the ascorbic acid was estimated colorimetrically. The total alkaloid had increased to 0.147% in root powder as compared with control [0.078%] and had also increased in stem and leaves. The better yield of ascorbic acid [0.587%] showed in leaves as compared with control [0.396%]

Preliminary investigation on the response of raphanus sativus L. to various extracts of azolla pinnata L.

The effect of different organic solvent extracts of Azolla pinnata on some growth parameters and chemical aspects show that there is little difference in the percentage of germination. Alcohol, toluene or acetone extracts have stimulating effects, mostly on growth parameters, while ethyl acetate or methylene chloride extracts attenuated the growth in their low concentration whereas high concentrations seemed to be beyond the threshold level of stimulation. Alcohol, toluene and acetone extracts were effective in stimulating water absorption. Water translocation was also stimulated by alcohol or acetone extracts but toluene extract was suppressive. The total chlorophyll of the cotyledons increased in presence of alcohol, toluene or acetone extracts. The Extracts by ethyl acetate or methylene chloride attenuated the chlorophyll a/b ratio. In the meantime, the five different extracts remarkably enhanced total carbohydrate accumulation at their highest concentration. Sucrose synthesis was highly activated by toluene extract whereas that of starch formation was not affected. Only the acetone extract [at 4 percent level], toluene extract [at 12 percent level and ethyl acetate extract at 12 percent and 20 percent level] attenuated protein accumulation

Sensitivity of Azolla filiculoides to hydrogen sulphide

This study was conducted to clarify the patterns of nitrogen fixation [nitrogenase activity C2H2 - C2H4 reduction] and chlorophyll concentration of Azolla filiculoides under different concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. It was found that hydrogen sulfide reduced the nitrogenase activity and chlorophyll concentration of Azolla. The reduction in the amount of nitrogen fixed under concentration of 10 mg H2S/l was found to be 56% and 72% after 24 and 96 hours of incubation, respectively, while the reduction in chlorophyll content was 25% and 48% after 24 and 90 hours, respectively, under the same conditions. The study showed linear negative correlation between the hydrogen sulfide concentrations and each of nitrogenase activity [r = 0.92] and chlorophyll concentration [r = -0.88]. The results of Azolla are useful and sensitive enough to use as a new sensitive test species in environmental toxicity tests

Effect of cycocel and furfuryl amino purine on protein metabolism of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) under simulated drought conditions.

Water stress drastically decreased relative water content and total soluble protein whereas it increased free amino acids, proline and protease enzyme in P. americanum. Treatments with 6-furfuryl amino purine (0.50 mM) and cycocel (60 mM) maintained the levels of soluble protein contents but the applications of furfuryl amino purine decreased free amino acids and free proline under stress conditions.