Transfer of the effect of potentized Mercuric chloride on α-amylase from one test tube to another through capillary water.

Objective: In a series of experiments we showed that treatment of a plant or animal with a diluted and agitated substance might affect other plants or animals connected to the former by the capillary water in cotton threads. The aim of the present study was to establish whether drug effect could be transferred in a cell-free medium. Design: Two test tubes, each containing 1 ml of 1% starch solution and 1 ml of α-amylase, were connected by means wet cotton threads encased in a polythene tube. One of the tubes also contained Mercurius corrosivus (Merc-c) 30 cH and the other ethanol solution (control). After 15 min, the enzyme activity was stopped with DNSA, and the breakdown product of starch, maltose, was estimated. A third, separate tube contained all the tested materials except for Merc-c and the control solution. In a second experiment 2 tubes, one containing 1,200 ppm and the other 200 ppm of maltose, were similarly connected over 15 min. Both experiments were repeated 20 times. Results: In the first experiment, the amount of maltose was similar in both connected tubes, but it was significantly lower in the unconnected tube. In the second experiment, maltose concentration in both tubes remained unchanged. Conclusion: The information of Merc-c 30 cH was effectively transferred through capillary water between 2 tubes in cell-free medium. This effect was not due to physical transfer of either solvent or solutes. Water seems to the most probable carrier of information in diluted and agitated solutions. Keywords: Water, alpha amylase, Mercurius corrosivus 30 cH, starch, maltose, high dilutions