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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2008.10.004 Byline: Claudia Scherr (a)(b), Meinhard Simon (c), Jorg Spranger (a), Stephan Baumgartner (d)(b) Keywords: Lemna gibba; Duckweed; Homeopathic potencies; Gibberellic acid; Kinetin; Argentum nitricum; Lemna minor; Systematic negative control experiments Abstract: This study investigated, whether the growth rate of Lemna gibba L. (duckweed) can be influenced by the application of homeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid, kinetin, argentum nitricum, and lemna minor. Author Affiliation: (a) Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse, Frick, Switzerland (b) Society for Cancer Research, Institute Hiscia, Kirschweg 9, Arlesheim, Switzerland (c) Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany (d) Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, Bern, Switzerland Article Note: (footnote) [star] Sources of support in the form of grants: Sampo Foundation, Dornach, Switzerland; Asta Blumfeld Foundation, Dornach, Switzerland.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2008.03.001 Byline: Stephan Baumgartner (a)(b), Devika Shah (a)(b), Johann Schaller (c), Urs Kampfer (c), Andre Thurneysen (a), Peter Heusser (a) Abstract: Investigation of the conditions for reproducibility of dwarf pea shoot growth stimulation through homeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (b) Society for Cancer Research, Institute Hiscia, Kirschweg 9, Arlesheim, Switzerland (c) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2007.01.011 Byline: Claudia M. Witt (a), Michael Bluth (b), Henning Albrecht (c), Thorolf E.R. WeiAhuhn (a), Stephan Baumgartner (d), Stefan N. Willich (a) Keywords: Homeopathy; Potency; Dynamization; Basic research; Quality assessment; Quality score; Modified SAPEH; BEPEV; Cell-free systems; Non-cellular; Cultured cells; Basophiles; Neutrophiles; Lymphocytes; In vitro Abstract: Systematic assessment of the in vitro research on high potency effects. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite University Medical Center, D-10098 Berlin, Germany (b) Klinik fur Tumorbiologie, D-Freiburg/Br, Germany (c) Karl and Veronica Carstens-Foundation, D-Essen, Germany (d) Institute for Complementary Medicine (KIKOM), University of Bern, CH-Bern, Germany

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2005.04.003 Byline: Adrian G. Guggisberg (a)(b), Stephan M. Baumgartner (a)(c), Cornelia M. Tschopp (b), Peter Heusser (a) Abstract: Various investigators have observed significant effects of highly diluted histamine on human basophil degranulation in vitro, compared to corresponding water controls. However, active and inactive dilution levels differed in most studies. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute for Complementary Medicine (KIKOM), University of Berne, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Berne, Switzerland (b) Institute for Immunology und Allergology, Inselspital, University of Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland (c) Institute Hiscia, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland Article Note: (footnote) [star] Funding: Support was provided from institutional sources only.

Abstract Background Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. Methods We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712–2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712–1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712–3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined “wound field”. All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. Results None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712–2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712–1) at 1:100 dilutions (p 0.05). Preparation (0712–2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p Conclusion Results of this study showed that the low potency homeopathic remedy (0712–2) exerted in vitro wound closure potential in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect resulted from stimulation of fibroblasts motility rather than of their mitosis.