The action of “low potency” homœopathic remedies on the movement of guinea-pig macrophages and human leucocytes

Summary

The action of five “low potency” homœopathic remedies, as supplied to the public and used clinically, on the distance of movement in a given time of guinea-pig macrophages and human leucocytes was measured. The remedies, Belladonna, Hepar sulphur, Pyrogenium, Silicea and Staphylococcin, were tested in the range 2×10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻¹⁶ g/ml dilution of the source material, though the actual concentration of any active agent was probably considerably less than these values.

In four series of experiments with guinea-pig macrophages the remedies were tested as aqueous or alcoholic tinctures, or absorbed on sugar granules. The results of 533 tests showed statistically significant modification of cell movement in 47 tests (i.e. 95% significant in about 8% of tests). Ten of these differences were significant at the 99% level and three also at the 99.9% level.

Fifty tests of the aqueous tinctures on leucocytes from four human subjects showed modification of cell movement in five tests, one test being significant at the 99% level. Significant effects were obtained with two subjects only.

The remedies facilitated movement in some experiments and inhibited it in others. The largest effects were obtained with a few sensitive guinea-pigs and one human subject. The magnitude and direction of the effects depended on the batch of animals being tested rather than on the set of remedies used.

It is concluded that low potency homœopathic remedies prepared by A. Nelson & Company Ltd. are capable of modifying the movement of human leucocytes and guinea-pig macrophages in vitro.