Homeopathy Vs Placebo
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Evidence in support of gene regulatory hypothesis: Gene expression profiling manifests homeopathy effect as more than placebo
Santu Kumar Saha 1 , Sourav Roy2 and Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh1
1 Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Univ. of Kalyani, West Bengal, India.
2 Depart. Entomology and Inst. Integrative Genome Biology, Univ. of California, USA.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Use of ultra-high diluted remedies in homeopathy and their claimed efficacy in curing diseases has been challenged time and again by non-believers despite many evidence-based positive results published in favor of their efficacy in curing/ameliorating disease symptoms.
Aims:
To test the ability of ultra-high diluted homeopathic remedies beyond Avogadro’s limit, if any, in manifesting gene modulating effects in controlled in vitro experimental model.
Methods
Since cancer cells manifest aberrant epigenetic gene expressions, we conducted global microarray gene expression profiling of HeLa cells (an established epigenetic model of HPV18 positive cell line) treated with two different potentized homeopathic remedies, namely, Condurango 30c and
Hydrastis canadensis 30C (used in the treatment of cancer), as compared to that of placebo (succussed alcohol 30c).
Results:
Data revealed distinctly different expression patterns of over 100 genes as a consequence of treatment with both homeopathic remedies compared to
placebo.
Conclusion:
Results indicate that action of the potentized drugs was “more than placebo” and these ultra-highly diluted drugs acted primarily through modulation of gene expression
Source : IJHDR
Link to Abstract
Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo
Heribert Möllingera Rainer Schneiderb Harald Walachc
a Private Practice, Amriswil, Switzerland
b Department of Human Sciences, University of Osnabrück, Germany
c School of Social Sciences and Samueli Institute, European Office, University of Northampton, UK
Abstract
Introduction:
Homeopathy uses information gathered from healthy volunteers taking homeopathic substances
(pathogenetic trials) for clinical treatment. It is controversial whether such studies produce symptoms different from those produced by placebo.
Objective:
To test whether homeopathic preparations produce different symptoms than placebo in healthy volunteers.
Methods:
Three armed, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised experimental pathogenetic study in 25 healthy volunteers who took either one of two homeopathic remedies, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album in 30CH or identical placebo. Main outcome parameter was the number of remedy-specific symptoms per group.
Results:
On average, 6 symptoms typical for Arsenicum album were experienced by participants taking arsenicum album, 5 symptoms typical for Natrum muriaticum by those taking natrum muriaticum, and 11 non-specific symptoms by those in the placebo group. Differences were significant overall (Kruskall Wallis test, p = 0.0002,) and significantly different from placebo (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
Homeopathic remedies produce different symptoms than placebo.
Source : Forsch Komplementmed 2009;16:105–110 DOI: 10.1159/000209386
Link to Full Article
Evidence in support of gene regulatory hypothesis: Gene expression profiling manifests homeopathy effect as more than placebo
Santu Kumar Saha 1 , Sourav Roy2 and Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh1
1 Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Univ. of Kalyani, West Bengal, India.
2 Depart. Entomology and Inst. Integrative Genome Biology, Univ. of California, USA.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Use of ultra-high diluted remedies in homeopathy and their claimed efficacy in curing diseases has been challenged time and again by non-believers despite many evidence-based positive results published in favor of their efficacy in curing/ameliorating disease symptoms.
Aims:
To test the ability of ultra-high diluted homeopathic remedies beyond Avogadro’s limit, if any, in manifesting gene modulating effects in controlled in vitro experimental model.
Methods
Since cancer cells manifest aberrant epigenetic gene expressions, we conducted global microarray gene expression profiling of HeLa cells (an established epigenetic model of HPV18 positive cell line) treated with two different potentized homeopathic remedies, namely, Condurango 30c and
Hydrastis canadensis 30C (used in the treatment of cancer), as compared to that of placebo (succussed alcohol 30c).
Results:
Data revealed distinctly different expression patterns of over 100 genes as a consequence of treatment with both homeopathic remedies compared to
placebo.
Conclusion:
Results indicate that action of the potentized drugs was “more than placebo” and these ultra-highly diluted drugs acted primarily through modulation of gene expression
Source : IJHDR
Link to Abstract
Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo
Heribert Möllingera Rainer Schneiderb Harald Walachc
a Private Practice, Amriswil, Switzerland
b Department of Human Sciences, University of Osnabrück, Germany
c School of Social Sciences and Samueli Institute, European Office, University of Northampton, UK
Abstract
Introduction:
Homeopathy uses information gathered from healthy volunteers taking homeopathic substances
(pathogenetic trials) for clinical treatment. It is controversial whether such studies produce symptoms different from those produced by placebo.
Objective:
To test whether homeopathic preparations produce different symptoms than placebo in healthy volunteers.
Methods:
Three armed, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised experimental pathogenetic study in 25 healthy volunteers who took either one of two homeopathic remedies, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album in 30CH or identical placebo. Main outcome parameter was the number of remedy-specific symptoms per group.
Results:
On average, 6 symptoms typical for Arsenicum album were experienced by participants taking arsenicum album, 5 symptoms typical for Natrum muriaticum by those taking natrum muriaticum, and 11 non-specific symptoms by those in the placebo group. Differences were significant overall (Kruskall Wallis test, p = 0.0002,) and significantly different from placebo (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
Homeopathic remedies produce different symptoms than placebo.
Source : Forsch Komplementmed 2009;16:105–110 DOI: 10.1159/000209386
Link to Full Article