Does Potentized HgCl2 (Mercurius corrosivus) Affect the Activity of Diastase and α-Amylase?
Witt CM, Bluth M, Hinderlich S, Albrecht H, Lüdtke R, Weisshuhn TE, Willich SN.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homeopathic drugs even with dilutions beyond 10(23) (high
potencies) are frequently used, although their working mechanism is still unknown.
Curative information preserved in solvent structure is postulated to exert biologic
effects.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective was to test for a stimulating or inhibiting effect of high potencies of the
homeopathic remedy HgCl2 (Mercurius corrosivus) on two sugar hydrolases.
METHODS: High potencies were produced using stepwise dilution plus shaking.
Controls included potentized solvent (aqua bidestillata), equimolar dilutions without
shaking, and enzyme-free references. Tested were potencies with dilution factors
1:200 (CC) on diastase extract from winter barley, and 1:100 (C) on alpha-amylase
from hog pancreas. Enzyme activity was colorimetrically determined by Lugol's
iodine-starch reaction.
RESULTS: An inhibiting effect of HgCl2 on enzyme activities was observed only in
low potencies and dilutions. Statistically significant differences between potencies
and controls were not found in randomized and blinded experiments.
CONCLUSIONS: This experimental design provided independent reproducible
results of cell-free in vitro assays. However, it did not indicate an effect of potentized
HgCl2 on hydrolases. Demonstrating potency effects may require additional
experimental features.