University of Western Ontario

Deparment of Physiology and Pharmacology

Toxicology of Natural Sourced Medicine

Jacob Matusinec
Isboset Nuez Luna
Monica Rosas Caldern
Kristine Smit

(March 31th,2011)
Homeopathy
Homeopathy

Founded by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th

century

Hahnemann had some prior training in conventional

medicine but he found the practice barbaric and
cruel .

Greatest popularity in 19th century with a revival in

the late 20th century.
Homeopathy watching the Horrors of Allopathy
Benefits of Homeopathy

Generally less invasive and has less side effects than

conventional medicine.

Associated with healthier lifestyles

Patients often do report improved symptoms

Even if unsupported by Medical Community its not

hurting anyone (some debate)
Potential criticisms of Homeopathy
Lacks scientific evidence

Experiments supporting homeopathy

often poorly conducted and noreplicable
by the scientific community

The Three Pillars of homeopathy are in

conflict with the ideology that makes up
Modern Science
 THREE PILLARS OF HOMEOPATHY
1. The principal of Similars

Remedy causes symptoms similar to the

disease in healthy people.

Quinine and Malariacured malaria but

caused feverish symptoms in healthy
individuals
 THREE PILLARS OF HOMEOPATHY
2. The Vital Force
Harmonize a person on all levels of their being

Diseases result from disharmonized Vital Force

Based on a belief system rather than science

Belief system that has a long history dating back to the

Hippocrates.
THREE PILLARS OF HOMEOPATHY

3. Potentization
POTENCY

CONCENTRATION
1
THREE PILLARS OF HOMEOPATHY
3. Potentization

Greater potency is achieved as the solution

becomes diluted and violently agitated.

Most debated aspect of homeopathy.

Many studies done with differential results

Results tend to depend on the experimenter.

Potentiation Concentration Scale
D scale: denotes the extent of dilution, i.e. D10
concentration=10-10

C scale: denotes the number of 1:100 dilutions

performed.

D60=C30: Dilution advocated by Hahnemann for

most purposes

C15: very unlikely that any of the original molecules

of mother tincture still remaining.
Explanations for Potentiation
Human basophil degranulation triggered by
very dilute antiserum against IgE. Davern E, et
al.

Many other studies found similar results even

at dilutions that could probabilistically do not
contain any parent molecules.

Usually explained by the concept of water

memory
History of the Memory of Water
Jacques Benveniste (March 1935October
2004)
Benveniste J. Platelet-activating factor, a new mediator of
anaphylaxis and immune complex deposition from rabbit and
human basophiles. Nature 1974; 249: 581-582.

Homeopathy is still not understood,

however his efforts started a new era of
rigorous scientific investigation of the
field
- Alex Tournier (founding director of the
Homeopathy Research Institute)
 History of the Memory of Water
Davenas E, Beauvais F, Amara J et al. Human basophil
degranulation triggered by very dilute antiserum against IgE.
Nature 1988; 334: 287-290.

Specific information must have been transmitted during the

dilution /shaking process via some molecular organization
occurring in the water
History of the Memory of Water

There were no methodological flaws apparent at the

time. James Maddox, Nature Editor
"There are good and particular reasons why prudent
people should, for the time being, suspend judgment
JM
Committee:
James Randi: magician-cum-paranormal researcher
Walter Stewart: physicist and freelance debunker
at the US NIH
 History of the Memory of Water
No memory effect was observed in the
blinded experiments.

Although no fraud was found, the lack of

reproducibility led Nature to conclude that
there was no substantial basis for Benvenistes
claim.
History of the Memory of Water
Benveniste and several collaborators worked
to find the underlying mechanisms to the
results on his original paper.

Jacques started working with homeopath E.

Attias

Digital Biology: biological interactions could

be digitized
 History of the Memory of Water
J. Benveniste; P. Jurgens, W. Hsueh and J. Aissa (February 21
26, 1997). "Transatlantic Transfer of Digitized Antigen Signal
by Telephone Link". Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology.

J. Benveniste; Aissa, J., Guillonnet. "The molecular signal is not

functional in the absence of "informed water"". Medical
Hypotheses 54

J. Benveniste; Thomas Y, Schiff M, Belkadi L, Jurgens P, Kahhak

L (2000). "Activation of human neutrophils by electronically
transmitted phorbol-myristate acetate". FASEB Journal 13 (1):
3339
Homeopathy Research
Homeopathy Research
1. Experimental research
study efficacy of
homeopathic remedies

2. Basic research elucidate

nature of homeopathic
remedies

3. Clinical trials studies

clinical efficacy

4. Theoretical models
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
in vitro, cell systems, or in vivo

Many models (both plant and animal) exist

but only a few have been replicated
independently (and quality often poor)

Examples:
Jacques Benveniste (1988) IgE degranulation
Independent replication of more recent studies


Crosslinking of IgE molecules triggers granule

exocytosis with the release of histamine and loss of
metachromatic straining of basophil granules by a
basic dye
Serially diluted anti-IgE
antiserum & measured
basophil degranulation at
each concentration
Results
Successive peaks of degranulation from 40-
60% of the basophils over dilutions of anti-IgE
that range from 102 to 10120
Less than one molecule of Ab is present when
anti-IgE antiserum is diluted to 1014
Strengths HOWEVER
Control: cells incubated Observer bias
in conditions identical to Some participating
those with anti-IgE laboratories withdrew
antiserum gave no because effect not
significant degranulation consistent with results (not
(antihuman IgG reported)
antiserum) Variability of the positive
Blind double-coded results was smaller than
procedures the statistically expected
6 different laboratories error or microscopical cell
(in 4 countries) count and found no effect
of higher dilutions
 More Recently (2005)

Staining and microscopical counting of basophils prone

to subjective influences (even if method blinded)
Experimenters used flow-cytometry to measure
basophil degranulation
Determines % CD63-expressing basophils (those activated)
CD63 expression directly correlates with histamine release
All experiments performed with a blinded and
randomised arrangement of dilutions and controls
Aimed to independently replicate former studies, which
showed similar findings as Benveniste
Results
In contrast to former studies, no large effect of
highly diluted histamine solutions on anti-IgE
induced basophil degranulation was found
BASIC RESEARCH
elucidating the nature of homeopathic remedies

To understand mechanism, need to find a

plausible theory and experimental backing to
clarify how a highly diluted substance can
affect a biological system
Must explain how a biological effect can be
brought about without a sufficient number of
molecules of the active agent (found in
homeopathetic remedies)
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Many scientists Homeopathy violates
natural laws and thus any effect must be a
placebo effect

Public & some physicians use of and belief

in effectiveness of homeopathy is widespread

Is the effect seen with homeopathic remedies

equivalent to that seen with placebo?
If the hypothesis that all clinical effects of
homeopathy are due to placebo is true:
1. All properly conducted
place-controlled trials on
homeopathy would be
comparing one placebo to
another
2. Thus, overall results should
vary randomly around a
zero difference between
groups
 Results not
compatible with
placebo hypothesis
However, insufficient
evidence that any
single type of
homeopathic
treatment is clearly
effective in any one
clinical condition
Systemic Reviews of Clinical Trials on
Homeopathy for Specific Conditions
Author Indication N and Conclusions
trial type
Taylor Allergic 4 RCTs Isopathic nosodes different from placebo on both
et. al. conditions subjective and objective measures
Jacobs Childhood 3 RCTs Individualized homeopathic treatment decreases
et. al. diarrhea the duration and number of stools in children with
acute diarrhea, but sample size small
Ernst Delayed- 8 double- Evidence does not support hypothesis that
conset muscle blinded homeopathic remedies are affective for muscle
soreness trials soreness
Vickers Influenza-like 7 RCTs Probably reduces duration of influenza-like
& Smith syndrome syndromes; further trials needed
Barnes Postoperative 4 RCTs; 2 Available evidence positive but several caveats
et. al. ileus CCTs preclude definitive conclusion
 Efficacy/effectiveness paradox: Disputed
evidence that homeopathy is different from
placebo yet there is documented usefulness in
general practice
~70% of all patients using homeopathy report they are
considerably improved after treatment (effects remain
stable during follow-up periods of 2-5 years)

Before clinical homeopathy research can

proceed with success, needs a viable theory
THEORETICAL MODELS

Local
Conventional scientific positivism

Non-local: quantum theoretical concepts

Complementarity
Entanglement
Local Mechanisms

Homeopathic remedies behave in a way

similar to any other medicine
The production process produces some kind
of template, image, or imprint of the original
substance, and this information is the active
ingredient
Local Mechanisms

Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals

interactions
Electric fields can be modified and modulated
by their surrounding
Laws of thermodynamics?
Examples of local mechanisms

Remaining material on surfaces

Nanobubbles
Remaining particle clusters
Ethanol solution complexity
Natural water clusters redox molecules
produced from water
Non-local Hypotheses

Correlations are somehow established

between patient, practitioner and remedy,
ultimately leading to an observed change in
the patients state of health.

Even more controversial than local

mechanisms: quantum theory applicable in
our macroscopic domain??
Non-local Hypotheses

Quantum entanglement: property of the

quantum mechanical state of a system
containing two or more objects, where the
objects that make up the system are linked in
such a way that the quantum state of any of
them cannot be adequately described without
full mention of the others, even if the
individual objects are spatially separated.
Water Memory
Empirical Approaches

Dr. Masaru Emoto.

He claims about the

resonance
present in words and
how these vibrations
change in health and
disease.
Emotos experiments
Rice experiment
Three separate
treatments to beakers
containing rice and
water:
1. Thank the flask or say
something nice
2. Tell nasty and rude
phrases.
3. Ignore it.
 Emottos Water Crystals (2003)
2000 people (Tokyo) prayed to water samples stored
on a electromagnetic shielded room. (CA,USA).
Control samples were in other place.
Pictures of both samples were blindly taken.
After that, the pictures were shown to 100 judges.
(They did not know which crystal was fro which
sample)
Statistically, judges prefer the prayed crystal.
Emotos experiments
Water crystals

Shape dependant on
the kind of vibration
given to the water
sample.
Water memory explanation?
In 2003, the physics journal: Physica published an
experiment on water memory
Louis Rey.
Thermoluminescence:
The technique involves bathing a chilled sample
with radiation. When the sample is warmed up, the
stored energy is released as light in a pattern that
reflects the atomic structure of the sample
Water memory explanation?

Much to our surprise, the

thermoluminescence glows
of the three systems were
substantially different
Control Double distilled
water
Deuterium Different
arrengement of the
bonds.
10x 10-5 M of Sodium
Chloride and Lithium
Chloride.
Water memory explanation?
What did they measure?
Zinc aggregates Non Noble metals
Gold aggregates Noble metals
SAED (Selected Area Electron
Diffraction)
What info we could get from this paper? #1
 The change in the properties of the treated
water (sucussion) is dependant on time.
Sucussion or shaking leads to the formation of
clusters.
How are these clusters formed?
Theodore Grotthus (1806)
 The shaking of
homeopathic dilutions
generate dissipative
structures.

The physicochemical
parameters electrical
conductivity and heat of
mixing are in fact
functions of the
number, size and shape
of the dissipative
structures
Expert Opinions Against Homeopathy
Steven Novella, Yale University, New Haven, CT.

The law of similars & law of Infintesimals: no

biological plausability.
Homeopathy is still a philosophy-based
medicine
Hahnemann had his theory of illness, largely
based on the notion of miasms.
Theorists invoking quantum mechanics?
Expert Opinions Against Homeopathy
Donald Marcus. Baylor University, Waco, TX.
Professor Ernst, Exeter University in England:
based on over 20 reviews since 1997 believes
there is no evidence homeopathic remedies
differ from placebos
ENHS conclusion: insufficient evidence to
support the use of homeopathy.
The Lancet: theres no point in making
further investments in research in clinical
trials in homeopathy.
Expert Opinions Against Homeopathy
No FDA regulations
Safety concern: some homeopathic practioners
recommend against vaccination.
Some people who practice homeopathy are
unqualified to perform general medical
evaluations and may miss serious and treatable
conditions.
The Heisenberg principle concerns atomic and
subatomic particles and it does not invalidate
Newtonian physics: no justification for taking
this concept from physics and applying it to
health care.
Is Homeopathy Unethical?
Unethical aspects of homeopathic dentistry

Homeopathic doctors/hospitals relatively common and

there are a fair amount of homeopathic dentists in the
UK.

Many documented effects of homeopathy attributed to

placebo and the fact that Homeopathic professionals
do not acknowledge this is against ethical guidelines
defined by the Society of Homeopaths

Most studies referenced for the benefits of

homeopathic medicine have since been discredited by
scientific community.
From the prospective of Scientific
Community

At the moment the evidence of clinical trials

is positive but not sufficient to draw definitive
conclusions because most trials are of low
methodological quality and because of the
unknown role of publication bias.
Conclusion

Jury is still out on whether or not water

memory truly exists.

More research needed, but as of today

Potentiation and the other pillars of homeopathy
are not supported by the scientific community.
Conclusion

Some empirical evidence shows structural cahnge

in water but biological plausibility still uncertain.

Both Homeopathic practitioners and scientific

community remain steadfast in their beliefs.

Possible that the truth lies somewhere between

these two extremes
References
Davenas E, Beauvais F, Amara J, Oberbaum M, Robinzon B, Miadonna
A, Tedeschi A, Pomeranz B, Fortner P and Belon P (1988) Human
basophil degranulation triggered by very dilute antiserum against IgE.
Nature 333:816-818.

Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, Appel S, Wilkey S, Van Rompay M
and Kessler RC (1998) Trends in alternative medicine use in the United
States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA
280:1569-1575.

Elia V, Baiano S, Duro I, Napoli E, Niccoli M and Nonatelli L (2004)

Permanent physico-chemical properties of extremely diluted aqueous
solutions of homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy 93:144-150.

Elia V, Baiano S, Duro I, Napoli E, Niccoli M and Nonatelli L (2004)

Permanent physico-chemical properties of extremely diluted aqueous
solutions of homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy 93:144-150.
References
Elia V, Napoli E and Germano R (2007) The 'Memory of Water': an almost
deciphered enigma. Dissipative structures in extremely dilute aqueous
solutions. Homeopathy 96:163-169.

Guggisberg AG, Baumgartner SM, Tschopp CM and Heusser P (2005)

Replication study concerning the effects of homeopathic dilutions of
histamine on human basophil degranulation in vitro. Complement Ther
Med 13:91-100.

Kleijnen J, Knipschild P and ter Riet G (1991) Clinical trials of homoeopathy.

BMJ 302:316-323.

Maddox J, Randi J and Stewart WW (1988) "High-dilution" experiments a

delusion. Nature 334:287-291.

Milgrom LR (2009) The eternal closure of the biased mind? The clinical and
scientific relevance of biophysics, infinitesimal dilutions, and the memory
of water. J Altern Complement Med 15:1255-1257.
References
Milgrom LR (2006) Is homeopathy possible? J R Soc Promot Health
126:211-218.

Milgrom LR (2006) Towards a new model of the homeopathic process

based on quantum field theory. Forsch Komplementmed 13:174-183.

Radin D, Hayssen G, Emoto M and Kizu T (2006) Double-blind test of

the effects of distant intention on water crystal formation. Explore (NY)
2:408-411.

Shaw D (2010) Unethical aspects of homeopathic dentistry. Br Dent J

209:493-496.

Walach H, Jonas WB, Ives J, van Wijk R and Weingartner O (2005)

Research on homeopathy: state of the art. J Altern Complement Med
11:813-829.