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

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.

Use of homeopathic Arnica montana for the issuance of roots of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Br / Uso do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de Rosmarinus officinalis L. e Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Br

This study sought to evaluate the influence of dilutions of the homeopathic preparation Arnica montana on the rooting of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and white Lippia (Lippia alba). Cuttings of R. officinalis and Lippia alba were place for rooting in trays of commercial substrate “plantmax”-like and soon after, subjected to daily applications of Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH, 9cH and 12cH and two controls – distilled water and ethanol 70%. Statistical design was entirely casualized delineation, with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions, each experimental unit was composed by 10 stakes. Applications were made via pulverization, 10 drops of the treatment in 400 ml of water. 45 days later the number of roots, the number of shoots, the length of the largest root, the percentage of sets and the quality of stakes were assessed. Data were analyzed through variance analysis, mean were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% level of statistical significance. Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH and 12cH had a stimulatory effect on all variables regarding the issuance of roots in both species studied, showing the similarity of this homeopathic preparation to the physiological picture arising from the process of cutting, promoting an increase in the percentage and quality of roots.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) e cidreira (Lippia alba). Mudas de Rosmarinus officinalis e Lippia alba, cultivadas no horto medicinal de NCA/UFMG foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas contendo substrato comercial de tipo "plantamax" e imediatamente após, submetidas a aplicações diárias de preparados homeopáticos de Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH, 9cH e 12cH, com dois controles, água destilada e etanol 70%. O desenho estatístico foi completamente randomizado (DIC), com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições, cada unidade experimental esteve composta de 10 estacas. Depois de 45 dias, foram avaliados o número de raízes, o número de brotos, a longitude da raiz mais longa, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas e qualidade das estacas. Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH e 12cH promoveu todas as variáveis relacionadas com a formação de raízes sob estudo, acentuando a semelhança entre Arnica montana e o quadro induzido pelo processo fisiológico do estacamento, promovendo aumento na porcentagem e qualidade das raízes.

Use of homeopathic Arnica montana for the issuance of roots of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lippia alba (Mill) N.E.Br / Uso do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de Rosmarinus officinalis L. e Lippia alba (Mill)N.E.Br

This study sought to evaluate the influence of dilutions of the homeopathic preparation Arnica montana on the rooting of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and white Lippia (Lippia alba). Cuttings of R. officinalis and Lippia alba were place for rooting in trays of commercial substrate “plantmax”-like and soon after, subjected to daily applications of Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH, 9cH and 12cH and two controls – distilled water and ethanol 70%. Statistical design was entirely casualized delineation, with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions, each experimental unit was composed by 10 stakes. Applications were made via pulverization, 10 drops of the treatment in 400 ml of water. 45 days later the number of roots, the number of shoots, the length of the largest root, the percentage of sets and the quality of stakes were assessed. Data were analyzed through variance analysis, mean were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% level of statistical significance. Arnica montana 3cH, 6cH and 12cH had a stimulatory effect on all variables regarding the issuance of roots in both species studied, showing the similarity of this homeopathic preparation to the physiological picture arising from the process of cutting, promoting an increase in the percentage and quality of roots.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do preparado homeopático Arnica montana na formação de raízes de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) e cidreira (Lippia alba). Mudas de Rosmarinus officinalis e Lippia alba, cultivadas no horto medicinal de NCA/UFMG foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas contendo substrato comercial de tipo "plantamax" e imediatamente após, submetidas a aplicações diárias de preparados homeopáticos de Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH, 9cH e 12cH, com dois controles, água destilada e etanol 70%. O desenho estatístico foi completamente randomizado (DIC), com 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições, cada unidade experimental esteve composta de 10 estacas. Depois de 45 dias, foram avaliados o número de raízes, o número de brotos, a longitude da raiz mais longa, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas e qualidade das estacas. Arnica montana nas diluições 3cH, 6cH e 12cH promoveu todas as variáveis relacionadas com a formação de raízes sob estudo, acentuando a semelhança entre Arnica montana e o quadro induzido pelo processo fisiológico do estacamento, promovendo aumento na porcentagem e qualidade das raízes.(AU)