Research in Homoeopathy

Are homoeopathic drugs being used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, a kind of repurposing? Anil Khurana Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):231-232

Calendula mother tincture vs normal saline for ulcer dressing as an add-on to Individualized Homoeopathic Intervention in the management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Hima Bindu Ponnam, Chetna Deep Lamba, Praveen Oberai, Syed Viquar Masood, Suryanarayana Yandamuri, M Narsing Rao, Raj Kumar Manchanda Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):233-241 Background: Despite standard management, healing rate of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) remains low, posing risk of lower extremity amputation. Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate if Calendula Q has added benefit over individualized homoeopathic intervention (IHI). The primary objective was to achieve complete epithelialisation within 20 weeks and secondary objective was to assess the changes in quality of life using DFU Scale-short form (DFU-SF) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled pilot study with a 20-week intervention was conducted from 2014-2017. 277 cases were screened and 60 cases were enrolled and randomised to Group I: IHI + Calendula Q dressing (n= 30) and Group II: IHI + normal saline (NS) dressing (n = 30), along with standard conventional medication for glycaemic control. Results: The mean time (Group I= 12 weeks, Group II= 11 weeks) of ulcer healing in both groups showed no statistically significant difference, thus calendula Q used for dressing did not have any added benefits (p= 0.0521). Arsenicum album (n= 14, 23.3%), Lycopodium (n= 8, 13.3%), Silicea (n= 7, 11.7%), Sulphur (n= 6, 10%), Phosphorus (n= 5, 10%) and Sepia (n=5, 10%) were found to be effective medicines. Conclusion: IHI, along with wound hygiene and conventional diabetic management, proved to be effective, irrespective of whether Calendula Q or normal saline was used for wound hygiene, thus leading to early, complete epithelialisation of Wagner's first and second stages of DFUs. Further studies comparing IHI with standard care are warranted.

Homoeopathic therapy in cervical spondylosis pain management: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Jaya Gupta, Ramesh Bawaskar, Prakash Rao, Ashish Shivadikar, Paul Sumithran, Ramendra Pal, Shahid Ali, Hima Bindu, MD Arya, Chetna Deep Lamba, Arvind Kumar, Dimpi Kulshreshtha Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):242-250 Background: Homoeopathic medicines are known to be effective in alleviating pain and other troublesome symptoms of patients suffering from cervical spondylosis. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of predefined homoeopathic medicines in the pain management of cervical spondylosis using the Cervical Spondylosis Pain Management Scale (CSPMS). Methods: A prospective, double-blind randomised placebo-controlled multicentric clinical trial was conducted from April 2012 to May 2013. Results: Sixty-seven cases were enrolled in the Homoeopathy group and 69 in the placebo group. One hundred and thirty-four cases that completed the follow-ups were analysed. The improvement in pain was 56.18% in the Homoeopathy group and 46.45% in the placebo group, as per CSPMS. The mean improvement between the groups was not significant: 60.36% in the Homoeopathy group and 48.66% in the placebo group. The mean score of quality of life, assessed using the 'Patient's Global Impression of Change Scale,' was 2.29 ± 1.90 quality of life in the Homoeopathy group and 2.93 ± 2.28 in the placebo group. There was 27.95% more improvement in the Homoeopathy group, as compared to the placebo group. Among the most used medicines were Rhus toxicodendron (n = 19) 28.8%, Calcarea carbonica (n = 7) 10.6%, Kalmia latifolia (n = 7) 10.6% and Paris quadrifolia (n = 8) 12.1%. Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines are effective in management of acute pain due to cervical spondylosis.

Understanding the role of homoeopathic preparation of Berberis vulgaris in mitigation of sodium oxalate- induced hyperoxaluria: An experimental approach Bhavani Tamilarasan, Porkodi Karthikeyan, Pugazhendhi Kannan, Kalaiselvi Periandavan, Raj K Manchanda, Anil Khurana, Debadatta Nayak, Shanthi Palainivelu Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):251-259 Background: Hyperoxaluria and calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidneys lead to overproduction of reactive oxygen species, resulting in the development of oxidative stress and renal injury. At the cellular levels, mitochondria and NADPH oxidase involved in reactive oxygen species production play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hyperoxaluria-induced renal injury. Objective: The objective was to investigate the therapeutical effect of homoeopathic drug Berberis vulgaris, a potent antioxidant, upon regulation of NADPH oxidase against acute high-grade sodium oxalate-induced hyperoxaluria in rats. Materials and Methods: Hyperoxaluria was induced in male Wistar rats by administering a single dose of sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally, and the treatment groups were pre-treated with homoeopathic drug Berberis vulgaris 6c (20 μl/100 g of body weight) ultra low dose for 7 days. Results: Berberis vulgaris significantly reduces hyperoxaluria-induced oxidative stress and restores antioxidant enzyme activities in kidney tissue. Histological analysis depicted that Berberis vulgaris treatment decreases renal epithelial damage and inflammation and restored normal glomerular morphology. Furthermore, immunoblotting analyses of NADPH oxidase revealed significant increased activity in the renal tissue of hyperoxaluric rats when compared to that of control rats. This has been brought back to normal by Berberis vulgaris treatment. Conclusion: Thus, our results emphasised that the Homoeopathy drug Berberis vulgaris has been effective in ameliorating sodium oxalate-induced acute hyperoxaluria in Wistar rats by modulating mitochondrial oxidative stress through the inhibition of NADPH oxidase.

Pharmacognostical studies of Smilax aspera Linn. – A herbal drug Satish Patel, B Biswas, K Rambabu, EN Sundaram, Renu Arya Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):260-266 Background: Smilax aspera L. (sarsaparilla or prickly ivy) is a perennial climber from the family Smilacaceae. Its root and rhizome are used as alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic. Objective: To perform standardization of root and rhizome of S. aspera for authentication and identification of raw drug by pharmacognostical, physiochemical, powder and finish product evaluation. Materials and Methods: Air-dried rhizome and roots were boiled, sectioned and stained for macroscopical and microscopical analysis. For physicochemical studies, rhizome and roots were coarsely powdered and subjected for determination of extractive values, ash values, chemical constituents, weight per millilitre, alcohol content, total solids and loss on drying. Finished product analyses (chromatographic studies, sediments, pH and total solid) were also undertaken. Results: The root was longitudinally wrinkled, about 3 mm in diameter with numerous branching, rootless, tough and flexible. Cortex consisted of 18–20 rows of parenchymatous cells; xylem and phloem were arranged in a radiate manner. Rhizome was wrinkled, hard and brown externally and white or light-yellow internally. The outer cortex consisted of polygonal parenchymatous cells. The findings of physicochemical determination of raw drugs including maximum extractive values in alcohol were 5.67% w/w, 0.1% w/w foreign matter, 8.90% w/w moisture content, 10.60% w/w total ash, etc., and finished product parameter showed pH near to 7, total solid 1.07% w/v and 50% v/v alcohol content. Conclusion: The data represented in this article may be used as distinctive diagnostic characters for proper identification, authentication of raw drug to ensure purity, quality and efficacy of drug S. aspera.

Homoeopathic treatment of chronic urticaria – A case series Padmalaya Rath, Parul Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):267-278 Introduction: Urticaria is a kind of skin complaint with red, raised and itchy bumps. Urticaria frequently occurs after an infection or as a result of an allergic response to some medication, insect bites or food. Psychological stress, exposure to cold or vibration may also trigger urticaria. Urticaria occurs with a lifetime prevalence of around 20%. In around 30% patients of urticaria, attacks often recur for months or years. Cases summary: This is a case series of five patients suffering from chronic urticaria having erythematous lesions, intense itching, redness and swelling treated at the Dermatology outpatient department of Dr D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. The patients were prescribed indicated constitutional Homoeopathic medicines. Changes in haematological and serological tests, Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile 2 and Urticaria Activity Score summed over 7 days at baseline and at the end of treatment showed reasonable improvement in disease as well as in the quality of life. Homoeopathic medicines such as Apis mellifica, Calcarea carbonica, Rumex crispus, Pulsatilla and Histamine were found useful.

Homoeopathic treatment of viral warts with Calcarea phosphorica Nidhi Mahajan, Ashish Mahajan, Aditi Bhinda, Sapna Salodiya Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):279-286 Introduction: Viral warts are the most common cutaneous infection caused by human papillomavirus. Warts can be treated by many available modalities such as cryotherapy, chemical cauterization, curettage, electrodessication and laser removal. However, most of these therapies can cause scarring. They also cause application-site reaction and recurrence. The homoeopathic literature has a plethora of medicines for the treatment of warts. Case Summary: A 4-year-old girl presented with reappearance of multiple warts on the face after a month of laser treatment. This time, the warts were on the right side of the forehead and one on the right cheek and were persisting for 8 months. The patient responded well to individualised homoeopathic treatment, i.e. Calcarea phosphorica 200 in single dose with complete recovery within 1 month without subsequent relapse. Even though the medicine is mentioned in the fourth grade against the rubric 'Face – Warts' in the Complete Repertory and is not used commonly in the cases of warts, it acted beneficially. Hence, this case emphasises the importance of individualised homoeopathic treatment based on characteristic general symptoms.

Pelvic inflammatory disease treated with homoeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica: A case Report Swati Pandey, Raj K Pandit Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):287-292 Introduction: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a polymicrobial infection of the upper genital tract characterised clinically by triad of symptoms and signs: pelvic pain, cervical motion with adnexal tenderness and fever. Conventional treatment is with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The alternative medicine, especially Homoeopathy, is the second choice of therapy as per the WHO. Case reports of PID in the medical literature are scant. We aim to report a case treated with homoeopathic constitutional medicine in a woman suffering from PID. Case Summary: A 29-year-old female presented with the symptoms of white discharge per vagina, constant dull pain in the lower abdomen, low backache, fever and lassitude for 2 weeks. Clinical findings and ultrasound of the whole abdomen suggested PID. Individualised homoeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica was prescribed in centesimal potency which showed a positive role in the treatment of PID. Causal attribution of changes in her condition to the homoeopathic treatment was depicted by modified Naranjo criteria. Future observational studies and randomised control trials are suggested to ascertain the efficacy of homoeopathy in the cases of PID.

Large-scale homoeoprophylaxis as an add-on measure to prevent COVID-19 disease: Cuban preliminary experiences Johann Perdomo Delgado, Antonio Emilio Vallin Garcia, Evelyn Anie Gonzalez Pla, Lissette Aguila Peña, Diadelis De La Caridad Remirez Figueredo, Alberto Inocente Hernandez Rodriguez, Magaly Victoria Carrero Figueroa, Concepcion Campa Huergo Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):293-294

Lessons learnt from the Spanish Flu pandemic Karanpreet H Nahar Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2020 14(4):295-296

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