Mercuric chloride, permeation

Based on previous works on Homeopathy we have hypothesized that the primary target of a homeopathic potency in an organism is the water-channel protein or aquaporin (Sukul and Sukul, 2001). Aquaporins occur in all life forms and facilitate permeation of water across biological membranes. We have discussed in details about the structure and function of aquaporins and their relation to health and disease in chapter IV. There are several types of aquaporins (AQP) and one type AQP1 occurs abundantly in red blood cells of vertebrates. If the primary target of a homeopathic potency is aquaporin, application of a homeopathic potency on cell membranes would affect water flow into the cells. In order to test this hypothesis we treated red blood cells of a fresh water fish (Clarius batrachus) with Mercuric chloride 30 (Merc cor 30) and Nux vomica 30 (Nux vom 30) separately in a hypotonic medium. In the control red cells were treated with Ethanol 30. The diluent medium in all the three potencies consisted of 90% ethanol and 10% distilled water. 

High dilution effects were observed in in vitro tests involving isolated organs, cell cultures or macromolecules such as proteins. Mercuric chloride 30c and Mercuric iodide 30c enhanced an enzyme activity in vitro. Unlike high dilutions in aqueous ethanol, efficacy of high dilutions in water deteriorates over time. Mere cor 30 and Nux vom 30 altered water permeation in fish erythrocytes in vitro thereby indicating the influence of high dilution on water channel proteins or aquaporins on plasma membranes. 

Other studies of the diffusion of nascent hydrogen have given empirical relations between the rate of passage through the metal and the concentration of the acid generating the gas at the surface of the metal (55) and for the influence of various capillary active substances (i05) upon the velocity of permeation. For example, the addition of mercuric chloride caused an acceleration in the rate of permeation. This accelera-... 

Although the work on luminescent forms gives no positive evidence of permeability as a factor in oxygen consumption, Houck (35) found effects of mercuric chloride (HgCb) on the luminescence of Photobacterium fischeri which may be referable to permeation. It requires approximately 160... 

Theory The official process is a development of the Gutzeit Test wherein all arsenic present is duly converted into arsine gas (AsH3) by subjecting it to reduction with zinc and hydrochloric acid. Further, it depends upon the fact that when arsine comes into contact with dry paper permeated with mercuric (Hg2+) chloride it produces a yellow strain, the intensity of which is directly proportional to the quantity of arsenic present. The various chemical reactions involved may be expressed by the following equations ... 

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