In vivo and in vitro Studies for Investigations on the Efficiency of Homoeopathic Agents

Author(s): Dittmann, J.

Abstract: Introduction: The catalytic activity of several enzyme systems can be modulated by specific substances. This can be detected with both in vivo and in vitro systems. Objective: The main target was to clarify whether small amounts of potentized and nonpotentized substances are able to influence the catalytic activity of specific enzyme systems in vivo as well as in vitro. Methods: Arsenicum album (As203) and Mercurius phosphoricus (HgHPO4) in potencies or dilutions of D4 or 10-4, D8 or 10-8 and D12 or 10-12, respectively, were used as agents. The in vivo studies were carried out under blinded conditions on male Charles River Wistar rats. The application of the test substances was done orally and carried out on seven consecutive days. Twentyfour hours after the last tablet administration, the livers were removed. By means of several centrifugation steps a hepatic homogenate was obtained. In this liver fraction the catalytic activity of peroxisomal catalase, mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase and lysosornal N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase was determined spectrophotometrically. For investigations carried out with cellfree systems, As203, potassium cyanatum (KCN) and cAMP in potencies or dilutions of D4 or 10-4, D6 or 10-6, D8 or 10-8 and D12 or 10-12, respectively, were used in aqueous preparations under blinded conditions. In the presence of these test substances the catalytic activity of the glutathione S transferases (cytosolic systems from rat liver), uricase (from hog liver), acid phosphatase (from potato) and DNAse II (from porcine spleen) was measured by spectrophotometrical assays, while the activity of cytochrome P-450 reductase (microsornal system from rat liver) was determined by HPLC analysis. Results. 1. The efficiency of homoeopathically prepared substances can be demonstrated using in vivo as well as in vitro systems as indicators. 2. Very often a non-linear relationship could be seen on the potency and dilution levels both in studies carried out in vivo and in vitro. 3. There is a difference in efficiency between potencies and dilutions with identical concentrations. Therefore, the differences found must be caused by the manufacturing process of the potencies. 4. 'Me results are discussed. Conclusions: 1. 'The results obtained by using cell-free systems do not fundamentally differ from those obtained by in vivo studies. 2. The studies with cell-free systems show that parts of homoeopathical research can be carried out independently of an intact organism.

Keyword(s): Arsenicum album (As203)

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