Plant-based models appear to be an useful approach for basic research in homeopathy
in order to fill gaps concerning theoretical models and scientific basis. Such models
make it possible to overcome some of the inconveniences of clinical trials for instance
placebo effect, ethical issues, duration and high costs; moreover they constitute
a vast and cheap source of biological material, essential to perform a large number
of experimental repetition.
The main objective of the research was to give novel insights on the not yet clarified
mode of action of homeopathic treatments and to provide reliable information on their
efficacy.
The plant-based model considered was the "wheat growth model". A total of 560 common
wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds were used to carry out the study; part of the seeds were stressed with
As2O3 0.1% to reduce germination and amplify the effect of homeopathic treatment. The seeds
were been equally subdivided into four experimental groups: control (non-stressed
seeds grown in distilled water); treated control (non-stressed seeds grown in As2O3 45x); poisoned (stressed seeds grown in distilled water); poisoned-treated (stressed
seeds grown in As2O3 45x). After 7 days of incubation seedlings were collected for molecular analysis.
Total RNA isolated from seedling samples were used for microarray analysis in order
to study changes in gene expression over different treatments. Subsequently, statistical
and bioinformatic analyses were performed to classify genes in "induced" or "repressed"
and to assign them a supposed function. Comparative analyses highlighted the particular
effect of As2O3 45x in stressed seeds. Real time PCR was performed to validate gene expression profiles:
data obtained with microarray and real time PCR were found to be well correlated.
This research provided novel insights on the mode of action of homeopathic potencies
and constitute an important breakthrough in the study of the molecular responses triggered
in wheat by ultra-high diluted treatments.
Acknowledgements
The Authors thank Laboratoires Boiron for their financial support. The sponsors had
no influence whatsoever upon design, conduct and evaluation of this investigation.
