The Effect of Ultra-high Dilutions of Thyroxine on the Morphogenesis of Xenopus laevis Tadpoles

Abstract

Background: The morphogenesis of Xenopus laevis is dependent on the thyroid system and the production of thyroxine. Numerous studies using the amphibian model have shown tadpoles to be responsive to ultra-high dilutions of Thyoxine. Ultra-high dilutions used in Homeopathy are not suitable to pharmacokinetic investigation due to their lack of detectable active ingredient and the lack of analytical methods with sufficient sensitivity; however, laboratory and clinical studies are providing experimental evidence contributing to the pharmacodynamics of high dilution remedies. Method: The experiment consisted of four groups, labelled according to the dilution each group was administered, Control (no treatment), Thyroxine 6C, Thyroxine 30C and Thyroxine 200C. Each group consisted of 90 tadpoles divided into three tanks of 30 tadpoles each. The respective dilutions were administered to the water the tadpoles were housed in every eight hours from Day 32 until Day 58 of the experiment. Tail length was measured every three days from Day 32 to Day 48 and every day from Day 48 to Day 58. Results: Thyroxine 6C was shown to have had a stimulatory effect while Thyroxine 30C had an inhibitory effect on the growth phase of the Xenopus laevis tadpole tail. Thyroxine 6C, 30C and 200C were shown to have had an inhibitory effect on the reduction phase of the Xenopus laevis tadpole tail. Conclusion: Where the results were shown to have had a stimulatory effect on the growth phase of the Xenopus laevis tadpole tail, it was likely due to a physiological effect, mimicking the action of the naturally circulating thyroxine. The results that were shown to have had an inhibitory effect are in line with the “Law of Similars” and the fact that a homeopathic preparation of Thyroxine would have an opposing effect to that of naturally circulating thyroxine.