title: Reproducibility of effects of homeopathically potentised gibberellic acid on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomised and blinded bioassay.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reproducibility of basic research investigations in homeopathy is challenging. This study investigated if formerly observed effects of homeopathically potentised gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) were reproducible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Duckweed was grown in potencies (14x-30x) of GA3 and one time succussed and unsuccussed water controls. Outcome parameter area-related growth rate was determined by a computerised image analysis system. Three series including five independent blinded and randomised potency experiments (PE) each were carried out. System stability was controlled by three series of five systematic negative control (SNC) experiments. Gibbosity (a specific growth state of L. gibba) was investigated as possibly essential factor for reactivity of L. gibba towards potentised GA3 in one series of potency and SNC experiments, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only in the third series with gibbous L. gibba L. we observed a significant effect (p = 0.009, F-test) of the homeopathic treatment. However, growth rate increased in contrast to the former study, and most biologically active potency levels differed. Variability in PE was lower than in SNC experiments. The stability of the experimental system was verified by the SNC experiments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gibbosity seems to be a necessary condition for reactivity of L. gibba to potentised GA3. Further still unknown conditions seem to govern effect direction and the pattern of active and inactive potency levels. When designing new reproducibility studies, the physiological state of the test organism must be considered. Variability might be an interesting parameter to investigate effects of homeopathic remedies in basic research.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27, Gebäude 19), 14163 Berlin, Germany; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland. Electronic address: vera.majewsky@kikom.ch.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Majewsky
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scherr
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27, Gebäude 19), 14163 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian Patrick
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Arlt
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiener
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frrokaj
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland; Bovicare GmbH, Hermannswerder Haus 14, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klocke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland; Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
mesh_terms: D029064:Araceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000494:pharmacology; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D005875:Gibberellins; D008419:Materia Medica; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C007842:gibberellic acid
keywords: Duckweed; Gibberellic acid; Homeopathy; Potentisation; Reproducibility; Ultra high dilution