Critical Evaluation of Specific Efficacy of Preparations Produced According to European Pharmacopeia Monograph 2371

Critical Evaluation of Specific Efficacy of Preparations Produced According to European Pharmacopeia Monograph 2371
Status	Abgeschlossen
Personen	Annekathrin Ücker, Stephan Baumgartner, David Martin, Tim Jäger

Critical Evaluation of Specific Efficacy of Preparations Produced According to European Pharmacopeia Monograph 2371 ist die Publikation zu einer Studie, die den Einfluss homöopathisch verdünnten Arsens auf das Wachstum von zuvor mit Arsen vergifteten Wasserlinsen untersucht. Eine Vorgängerarbeit ist Effects of homeopathic arsenicum album, nosode, and gibberellic acid preparations on the growth rate of arsenic-impaired duckweed (Lemna gibba L.).

Abstract

European Pharmacopoeia monograph 2371 describes the production of homeopathic preparations. A specific efficacy of these preparations in high dilution levels is questionable in view of basic scientific principles. There is empirical evidence for such effects, for example in a Lemna-intoxication bioassay published 2010. To test the replicability and robustness of this bioassay, we conducted two experimental series (five independent blinded and randomised experiments each). The specimen of Lemna gibba L., clone-number 9352, were stressed in arsenic solution for 48 h (158 mg/L AsNa₂HO₄ (250 mg/L in series 2)), then grew in either As₂O₃ preparations produced according to Eu. Pharm. Monogr. 2371 or control solution. Comparing the area-related relative growth rate of day 3–9 (rgr 3–9) between treatment and control groups for each series showed differences that were not significant in series 1 (p = 0.10), significant in series 2 (p = 0.04) and significant in the pooled data of both series (p < 0.01). The effect direction (rgr 3–9 increase) was comparable to experiments of 2010, but the effect size was smaller, likely due to a changed light cycle. These results are not compatible with the hypothesis that the application of European Pharmacopoeia monograph 2371 results in pharmaceutical preparations without specific effects. Further studies are needed to investigate a potential mode of action explaining these effects.

Publikationen

• Annekathrin Ücker, Stephan Baumgartner, David Martin, Tim Jäger: Critical Evaluation of Specific Efficacy of Preparations Produced According to European Pharmacopeia Monograph 2371. In: Biomedicines. Band 10, Nr. 3, 25. Februar 2022, ISSN 2227-9059, S. 552, doi:10.3390/biomedicines10030552 (english).