Introduction: Lumbar spondylosis (LS) is a degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine. Despite substantial research efforts, no gold-standard treatment for LS has been identified. The efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in LS has remained under-researched. In this study, the efficacy of IHMs was compared with identical-looking placebos in the treatment of low back pain associated with LS.
Methods: A double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, West Bengal, India. Patients were randomized to receive IHMs or placebos, along with standardized concomitant care for both the groups. The Oswestry low back pain and disability questionnaire (ODQ) was the primary outcome; the Roland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ) and the short form of the McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were the secondary outcomes. Each was measured at baseline and every month for 3 months. The intention-to-treat (ITT) sample was analyzed to detect any inter-group differences using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance models overall and by unpaired t-tests at different time points.
Results: Enrolment was stopped prematurely because of time restrictions; 55 patients were randomized (verum: 28; control: 27); 49 were analyzed by ITT (verum: 26; control: 23). Inter-group differences in ODQ (F1, 47 = 0.001, p = 0.977), RMQ (F1, 47 = 0.190, p = 0.665) and SF-MPQ total score (F1, 47 = 3.183, p = 0.081) at 3 months were not statistically significant. SF-MPQ total score after 2 months (p = 0.030) revealed inter-group statistical significance, favoring IHMs against placebos. Some of the SF-MPQ sub-scales at different time points were also statistically significant: e.g., the SF-MPQ average pain score after 2 months (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.007). Rhus toxicodendron, Sulphur and Pulsatilla nigricans were the most frequently indicated medicines.
Conclusion: Owing to failure in detecting a statistically significant effect for the primary outcome and in recruiting a sufficient number of participants, our trial remained inconclusive.
{"title":"Individualized Homeopathic Medicines for Low Back Pain in Lumbar Spondylosis: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Akshaya Prakash, Nitai Chand Bhowmik, Subhas Singh, Satarupa Sadhukhan, Shruti Rai, Suman Singh, Umesh Kumar, Fathima Rahim, Dharshna Balamurugan, Koushik Bhar, Navin Kumar Singh, Munmun Koley, Subhranil Saha","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1758132","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0042-1758132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lumbar spondylosis (LS) is a degenerative disorder of the lumbar spine. Despite substantial research efforts, no gold-standard treatment for LS has been identified. The efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in LS has remained under-researched. In this study, the efficacy of IHMs was compared with identical-looking placebos in the treatment of low back pain associated with LS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, West Bengal, India. Patients were randomized to receive IHMs or placebos, along with standardized concomitant care for both the groups. The Oswestry low back pain and disability questionnaire (ODQ) was the primary outcome; the Roland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ) and the short form of the McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were the secondary outcomes. Each was measured at baseline and every month for 3 months. The intention-to-treat (ITT) sample was analyzed to detect any inter-group differences using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance models overall and by unpaired <i>t</i>-tests at different time points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Enrolment was stopped prematurely because of time restrictions; 55 patients were randomized (verum: 28; control: 27); 49 were analyzed by ITT (verum: 26; control: 23). Inter-group differences in ODQ (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 47</sub> = 0.001, <i>p</i> = 0.977), RMQ (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 47</sub> = 0.190, <i>p</i> = 0.665) and SF-MPQ total score (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 47</sub> = 3.183, <i>p</i> = 0.081) at 3 months were not statistically significant. SF-MPQ total score after 2 months (<i>p</i> = 0.030) revealed inter-group statistical significance, favoring IHMs against placebos. Some of the SF-MPQ sub-scales at different time points were also statistically significant: e.g., the SF-MPQ average pain score after 2 months (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and 3 months (<i>p</i> = 0.007). <i>Rhus toxicodendron, Sulphur</i> and <i>Pulsatilla nigricans</i> were the most frequently indicated medicines.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Owing to failure in detecting a statistically significant effect for the primary outcome and in recruiting a sufficient number of participants, our trial remained inconclusive.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>CTRI/2019/11/021918.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10618766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory skin disease that can have a significant impact on quality of life. During the last four decades, a rising trend in AD has been observed in India. Homeopathic medicines are claimed to be beneficial in AD; however, convincing research evidence has been lacking. We compared the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) against placebos in the treatment of AD.
Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 6 months' duration (n = 60), adult patients were randomized to receive either IHMs (n = 30) or identical-looking placebos (n = 30). All participants received concomitant conventional care, which included the application of olive oil and maintaining local hygiene. The primary outcome measure was disease severity using the Patient-Oriented Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) scale; secondary outcomes were the Atopic Dermatitis Burden Scale for Adults (ADBSA) and Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) - all were measured at baseline and every month, up to 6 months. Group differences were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample.
Results: After 6 months of intervention, inter-group differences became statistically significant on PO-SCORAD, the primary outcome (-18.1; 95% confidence interval, -24.0 to -12.2), favoring IHMs against placebos (F1, 52 = 14.735; p <0.001; two-way repeated measures analysis of variance). Inter-group differences for the secondary outcomes favored homeopathy, but were overall statistically non-significant (ADBSA: F1, 52 = 0.019; p = 0.891; DLQI: F1, 52 = 0.692; p = 0.409).
Conclusion: IHMs performed significantly better than placebos in reducing the severity of AD in adults, though the medicines had no overall significant impact on AD burden or DLQI.
{"title":"Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Replication Trial with 6 Months' Follow-up.","authors":"Sanjukta Mandal, Shubhamoy Ghosh, Aakash Deep Das, Bikash Biswas, Chithra Palanisamy, Nilanjana Guha, Shukdeb Maiti, Souvik Dutta, Navin Kumar Singh, Munmun Koley, Subhranil Saha","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1760339","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0042-1760339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory skin disease that can have a significant impact on quality of life. During the last four decades, a rising trend in AD has been observed in India. Homeopathic medicines are claimed to be beneficial in AD; however, convincing research evidence has been lacking. We compared the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) against placebos in the treatment of AD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 6 months' duration (<i>n</i> = 60), adult patients were randomized to receive either IHMs (<i>n</i> = 30) or identical-looking placebos (<i>n</i> = 30). All participants received concomitant conventional care, which included the application of olive oil and maintaining local hygiene. The primary outcome measure was disease severity using the Patient-Oriented Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) scale; secondary outcomes were the Atopic Dermatitis Burden Scale for Adults (ADBSA) and Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) - all were measured at baseline and every month, up to 6 months. Group differences were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 6 months of intervention, inter-group differences became statistically significant on PO-SCORAD, the primary outcome (-18.1; 95% confidence interval, -24.0 to -12.2), favoring IHMs against placebos (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 52</sub> = 14.735; <i>p</i> <0.001; two-way repeated measures analysis of variance). Inter-group differences for the secondary outcomes favored homeopathy, but were overall statistically non-significant (ADBSA: <i>F</i> <sub>1, 52</sub> = 0.019; <i>p</i> = 0.891; DLQI: <i>F</i> <sub>1, 52</sub> = 0.692; <i>p</i> = 0.409).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IHMs performed significantly better than placebos in reducing the severity of AD in adults, though the medicines had no overall significant impact on AD burden or DLQI.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9408567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-01Epub Date: 2023-09-01DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772166
Peter Gregory
{"title":"Christopher E. I. Day: An Inspirational Pioneer of Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine.","authors":"Peter Gregory","doi":"10.1055/s-0043-1772166","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0043-1772166","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10194136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-01Epub Date: 2022-11-22DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755362
Emma Macías-Cortés
Background: Medical attention for menopausal women is frequently delivered by health care providers (general practitioners, gynecologists or homeopathic physicians) who are not specialized in post-reproductive care. Homeopathy has been used for treating menopausal complaints for more than two centuries. Therefore, it is important to improve clinical knowledge in this field among homeopathic physicians. Nowadays, there is a special interest in the study of menopause-related chronic conditions due to the impact on women's quality of life. The aim of this review is to address the important key points of the menopause, clinical assessment, and available tests for evaluating menopausal women, as well as some general topics regarding homeopathic clinical practice for menopause.
Methods and results: A literature search regarding menopause and current guidelines and recommendations was performed. To be practical and concise, the information is presented in the form of questions and answers. Currently, there is an international classification of woman's reproductive aging that can be useful for clinical and research purposes in homeopathy. A comprehensive homeopathic approach is mandatory for evaluating women with a healthy menopause, but also for those experiencing co-morbidities. In an integrative health care system, several assessment resources can be incorporated into the homeopathic consultations. Clinical and laboratory examinations for detecting metabolic disorders (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension, among others), mood disorders, cognitive impairment and osteoporosis are available in many clinical settings. Screening for gynecological cancers is an international recommendation at this stage. All data obtained from homeopathic consultations would help to integrate well-documented case reports. This would give the possibility to generate hypotheses to design high-quality clinical research.
Conclusion: Improving homeopathic clinical practice for menopause is useful for both clinical and research purposes. The international recommendations for evaluating menopausal women should be incorporated in homeopathic clinical practice, mainly in clinical settings where homeopathy is integrated in outpatient services.
{"title":"Menopause: Questions and Answers for Improving Homeopathic Clinical Practice.","authors":"Emma Macías-Cortés","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1755362","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0042-1755362","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medical attention for menopausal women is frequently delivered by health care providers (general practitioners, gynecologists or homeopathic physicians) who are not specialized in post-reproductive care. Homeopathy has been used for treating menopausal complaints for more than two centuries. Therefore, it is important to improve clinical knowledge in this field among homeopathic physicians. Nowadays, there is a special interest in the study of menopause-related chronic conditions due to the impact on women's quality of life. The aim of this review is to address the important key points of the menopause, clinical assessment, and available tests for evaluating menopausal women, as well as some general topics regarding homeopathic clinical practice for menopause.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>A literature search regarding menopause and current guidelines and recommendations was performed. To be practical and concise, the information is presented in the form of questions and answers. Currently, there is an international classification of woman's reproductive aging that can be useful for clinical and research purposes in homeopathy. A comprehensive homeopathic approach is mandatory for evaluating women with a healthy menopause, but also for those experiencing co-morbidities. In an integrative health care system, several assessment resources can be incorporated into the homeopathic consultations. Clinical and laboratory examinations for detecting metabolic disorders (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and hypertension, among others), mood disorders, cognitive impairment and osteoporosis are available in many clinical settings. Screening for gynecological cancers is an international recommendation at this stage. All data obtained from homeopathic consultations would help to integrate well-documented case reports. This would give the possibility to generate hypotheses to design high-quality clinical research.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improving homeopathic clinical practice for menopause is useful for both clinical and research purposes. The international recommendations for evaluating menopausal women should be incorporated in homeopathic clinical practice, mainly in clinical settings where homeopathy is integrated in outpatient services.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40701806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Epilepsy, one of the most common neurological diseases, contributes to 0.5% of the total disease burden. The burden is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, central Asia, central and Andean Latin America, and south-east Asia. Asian countries report an overall prevalence of 6/1,000 and that in India of 5.59/1,000. We examined whether individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) can produce a significantly different effect from placebos in treatment of pediatric epilepsy in the context of ongoing standard care (SC) using anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
Methods: The study was a 6-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (n = 60) conducted at the pediatric outpatient department of a homeopathic hospital in West Bengal, India. Patients were randomized to receive either IHMs plus SC (n = 30) or identical-looking placebos plus SC (n = 30). The primary outcome measure was the Hague Seizure Severity Scale (HASS); secondary outcomes were the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE-16) and the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory (PedsQL) questionnaires; all were measured at baseline and after the 3rd and 6th month of intervention. The intention-to-treat sample was analyzed to detect group differences and effect sizes.
Results: Recruitment and retention rates were 65.2% and 91.7% respectively. Although improvements were greater in the IHMs group than with placebos, with small to medium effect sizes, the inter-group differences were statistically non-significant - for HASS (F1, 58 = 0.000, p = 1.000, two-way repeated measures analysis of variance), QOLCE-16 (F1, 58 = 1.428, p = 0.237), PedsQL (2-4 years) (F1, 8 = 0.685, p = 0.432) and PedsQL (5-18 years) (F1, 47 = 0.000, p = 0.995). Calcarea carbonica, Ignatia amara, Natrum muriaticum and Phosphorus were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No serious adverse events were reported from either of the two groups.
Conclusion: Improvements in the outcome measures were statistically non-significantly greater in the IHMs group than in the placebos group, with small effect sizes. A different trial design and prescribing approach might work better in future trials.
Trial registration: CTRI/2018/10/016027.
引言:癫痫是最常见的神经系统疾病之一,占疾病总负担的0.5%。撒哈拉以南非洲、中亚、拉丁美洲中部和安第斯山脉以及东南亚的负担最重。亚洲国家报告的总体流行率为6/1,000,印度为5.59/1,000。我们研究了个体化顺势疗法药物(IHMs)在使用抗癫痫药物(aed)进行标准治疗(SC)的情况下,是否能产生与安慰剂显著不同的儿童癫痫治疗效果。方法:该研究是在印度西孟加拉邦一家顺势疗法医院的儿科门诊部进行的一项为期6个月的双盲、随机、安慰剂对照试验(n = 60)。患者被随机分配接受ihm + SC (n = 30)或相同外观的安慰剂+ SC (n = 30)。主要结局指标为海牙癫痫发作严重程度量表(HASS);次要结局是儿童癫痫生活质量(QOLCE-16)和儿童生活质量问卷(PedsQL);所有人都在基线和干预后的第3个月和第6个月进行了测量。对意向治疗样本进行分析,以检测组间差异和效应量。结果:入职率65.2%,留职率91.7%。虽然IHMs组的改善程度大于安慰剂组,但效果大小较小,组间差异无统计学意义- HASS (f1,58 = 0.000, p = 1.000,双向重复测量方差分析),QOLCE-16 (f1,58 = 1.428, p = 0.237), PedsQL(2-4年)(f1,8 = 0.685, p = 0.432)和PedsQL(5-18年)(f1,47 = 0.000, p = 0.995)。最常用的处方药物为碳酸钙、黄芪、盐酸自然碱和磷。两组均未报告严重不良事件。结论:与安慰剂组相比,IHMs组在结果测量方面的改善在统计学上无显著性差异,效果较小。不同的试验设计和处方方法可能在未来的试验中效果更好。试验报名:CTRI/2018/10/016027。
{"title":"Individualized Homeopathic Medicines as Adjunctive Treatment of Pediatric Epilepsy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Bharti Gupta, Pankhuri Misra, Avaranjika Karuppusamy, Dharshna Balamurugan, Maneet Parewa, Maneela Tomar, Shruti Rai, Himani Vashishth, Satarupa Sadhukhan, Navin Kumar Singh, Munmun Koley, Subhranil Saha","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1755361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1755361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Epilepsy, one of the most common neurological diseases, contributes to 0.5% of the total disease burden. The burden is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, central Asia, central and Andean Latin America, and south-east Asia. Asian countries report an overall prevalence of 6/1,000 and that in India of 5.59/1,000. We examined whether individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) can produce a significantly different effect from placebos in treatment of pediatric epilepsy in the context of ongoing standard care (SC) using anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was a 6-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (<i>n</i> = 60) conducted at the pediatric outpatient department of a homeopathic hospital in West Bengal, India. Patients were randomized to receive either IHMs plus SC (<i>n</i> = 30) or identical-looking placebos plus SC (<i>n</i> = 30). The primary outcome measure was the Hague Seizure Severity Scale (HASS); secondary outcomes were the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE-16) and the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory (PedsQL) questionnaires; all were measured at baseline and after the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> month of intervention. The intention-to-treat sample was analyzed to detect group differences and effect sizes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Recruitment and retention rates were 65.2% and 91.7% respectively. Although improvements were greater in the IHMs group than with placebos, with small to medium effect sizes, the inter-group differences were statistically non-significant - for HASS (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 58</sub> = 0.000, <i>p</i> = 1.000, two-way repeated measures analysis of variance), QOLCE-16 (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 58</sub> = 1.428, <i>p</i> = 0.237), PedsQL (2-4 years) (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 8</sub> = 0.685, <i>p</i> = 0.432) and PedsQL (5-18 years) (<i>F</i> <sub>1, 47</sub> = 0.000, <i>p</i> = 0.995). <i>Calcarea carbonica</i>, <i>Ignatia amara</i>, <i>Natrum muriaticum</i> and <i>Phosphorus</i> were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No serious adverse events were reported from either of the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Improvements in the outcome measures were statistically non-significantly greater in the IHMs group than in the placebos group, with small effect sizes. A different trial design and prescribing approach might work better in future trials.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>CTRI/2018/10/016027.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10156105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been in therapeutic use since the 18th century for various types of cancers including skin and breast; however, it gained popularity following FDA approval for its use against acute promyelocytic leukemia. This present work was designed to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of a homeopathic potency of arsenic trioxide (Arsenicum album 6C) in hormone-dependent breast cancer.
Methods: Breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated with Arsenicum album (Ars 6C) to evaluate its anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential. We examined the effect of Ars 6C on the cell cycle, wound healing, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and modulation of expression of key genes which are aberrant in cancer.
Results: Treating breast cancer cells with Ars 6C halted the cell cycle at the sub-G0 and G2/M phases, which could be attributed to DNA damage induced by the generation of ROS. Apoptotic induction was associated with upregulation of Bax expression, with concurrent downregulation of the Bcl-2 gene. Ars 6C was also seen to reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition and reduce the migration of breast cancer cells.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that Ars has significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential against breast cancer cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism by which Ars exerts its effect in the in vivo setting.
背景:自18世纪以来,三氧化二砷(As2O3)一直用于治疗各种类型的癌症,包括皮肤癌和乳腺癌;然而,在FDA批准其用于治疗急性早幼粒细胞白血病后,它得到了普及。本研究旨在评估三氧化二砷(Arsenicum album 6C)在激素依赖性乳腺癌中顺势疗法的抗癌潜力。方法:用Arsenicum album (Ars 6C)处理乳腺癌细胞MCF7,观察其抗增殖和凋亡潜能。我们研究了Ars 6C对细胞周期、伤口愈合、活性氧(ROS)产生以及癌症中异常关键基因表达调节的影响。结果:用Ars 6C处理乳腺癌细胞使细胞周期在亚g0期和G2/M期停止,这可能与ROS生成诱导DNA损伤有关。凋亡诱导与Bax表达上调相关,同时Bcl-2基因下调。Ars 6C还可以逆转上皮细胞向间充质细胞的转变,并减少乳腺癌细胞的迁移。结论:Ars对乳腺癌细胞具有明显的抗增殖和抗凋亡作用。需要进一步的研究来阐明Ars在体内发挥其作用的机制。
{"title":"Arsenicum album Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis, and Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hormone-Dependent MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells.","authors":"Nilanjana Basu, Manoj Garg, Chanderdeep Tandon, Bhudev Chandra Das, Simran Tandon","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1755364","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1755364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Arsenic trioxide (As<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) has been in therapeutic use since the 18th century for various types of cancers including skin and breast; however, it gained popularity following FDA approval for its use against acute promyelocytic leukemia. This present work was designed to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of a homeopathic potency of arsenic trioxide (<i>Arsenicum album</i> 6C) in hormone-dependent breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated with <i>Arsenicum album</i> (<i>Ars</i> 6C) to evaluate its anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential. We examined the effect of <i>Ars</i> 6C on the cell cycle, wound healing, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and modulation of expression of key genes which are aberrant in cancer.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Treating breast cancer cells with <i>Ars</i> 6C halted the cell cycle at the sub-G0 and G2/M phases, which could be attributed to DNA damage induced by the generation of ROS. Apoptotic induction was associated with upregulation of Bax expression, with concurrent downregulation of the Bcl-2 gene. <i>Ars</i> 6C was also seen to reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition and reduce the migration of breast cancer cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest that <i>Ars</i> has significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic potential against breast cancer cells. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism by which <i>Ars</i> exerts its effect in the <i>in vivo</i> setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10529244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-01Epub Date: 2022-11-03DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1751308
Franscinne Brait Narita, Melina Castilho de Souza Balbueno, Michele Legnaro Yang, Kleber da Cunha Peixoto, Ralph E T Vanstreels, Cidéli de Paula Coelho
Background and aims: Penguins are seabirds that manifest physiological and immunological alterations during the reproductive season. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the laboratory parameters of male and female Magellanic penguins and to determine the penguins' hematological response to homeopathic medicines during that reproductive period.
Methods: Penguins (N = 18), kept under human care in a zoological park setting, were evaluated during the reproductive period and were divided randomly into two groups: a group subjected to treatment with Echinacea angustifolia 6cH and Avena sativa 6cH (N = 8; four breeding couples), and a placebo control group (N = 10; five breeding couples). The investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. Two-way ANOVA was performed to determine whether the experimental group (control or verum) and the sex of the animal had any significant effect on the variation of each hematological parameter between the samples. One-way ANOVA was performed on hematological parameters for which the sex did not present a significant effect. The significance level was p ≤0.05.
Results: Significant effects were seen regarding the following: mean corpuscular volume (MCV), in which the verum group showed an increase (29.78 ± 52.95 fL) while the control group showed stability/reduction (-3.08 ± 46.36 fL) (p = 0.049); proportion of heterophils, in which the verum group showed a less marked increase (8.38 ± 12.53%) than that of the control group (18.00 ± 9.37%) (p = 0.010); lymphocyte concentration, in which the verum group showed less marked reduction (-4.39 ± 2.21 × 109 cells/L) than that of the control group (-1.56 ± 2.76 × 109 cells/L) (p = 0.001); and proportion of lymphocytes, in which the verum group showed a less marked reduction (-6.75 ± 10.35%) than that of the control group (-17.3 ± 8.73%) (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Comparison of samples collected before and during the reproductive period showed that, regardless of group allocation, there were differences in the effects on MCV, heterophils and lymphocytes. Treatment with Echinacea angustifolia and Avena sativa resulted in maintenance of lymphocyte levels in Magellanic penguins during the breeding period, thus aiding these birds' immunity.
{"title":"Evaluation of the Effects of Administering Ultradiluted Avena sativa and Echinacea angustifolia on the Hematological Parameters of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) during the Reproductive Period.","authors":"Franscinne Brait Narita, Melina Castilho de Souza Balbueno, Michele Legnaro Yang, Kleber da Cunha Peixoto, Ralph E T Vanstreels, Cidéli de Paula Coelho","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1751308","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0042-1751308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>Penguins are seabirds that manifest physiological and immunological alterations during the reproductive season. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the laboratory parameters of male and female Magellanic penguins and to determine the penguins' hematological response to homeopathic medicines during that reproductive period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Penguins (<i>N</i> = 18), kept under human care in a zoological park setting, were evaluated during the reproductive period and were divided randomly into two groups: a group subjected to treatment with <i>Echinacea angustifolia</i> 6cH and <i>Avena sativa</i> 6cH (<i>N</i> = 8; four breeding couples), and a placebo control group (<i>N</i> = 10; five breeding couples). The investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. Two-way ANOVA was performed to determine whether the experimental group (control or verum) and the sex of the animal had any significant effect on the variation of each hematological parameter between the samples. One-way ANOVA was performed on hematological parameters for which the sex did not present a significant effect. The significance level was <i>p</i> ≤0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant effects were seen regarding the following: mean corpuscular volume (MCV), in which the verum group showed an increase (29.78 ± 52.95 fL) while the control group showed stability/reduction (-3.08 ± 46.36 fL) (<i>p</i> = 0.049); proportion of heterophils, in which the verum group showed a less marked increase (8.38 ± 12.53%) than that of the control group (18.00 ± 9.37%) (<i>p</i> = 0.010); lymphocyte concentration, in which the verum group showed less marked reduction (-4.39 ± 2.21 × 109 cells/L) than that of the control group (-1.56 ± 2.76 × 109 cells/L) (<i>p</i> = 0.001); and proportion of lymphocytes, in which the verum group showed a less marked reduction (-6.75 ± 10.35%) than that of the control group (-17.3 ± 8.73%) (<i>p</i> = 0.002).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Comparison of samples collected before and during the reproductive period showed that, regardless of group allocation, there were differences in the effects on MCV, heterophils and lymphocytes. Treatment with <i>Echinacea angustifolia</i> and <i>Avena sativa</i> resulted in maintenance of lymphocyte levels in Magellanic penguins during the breeding period, thus aiding these birds' immunity.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10159260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether individualized homeopathic medicines have a greater adjunctive effect than adjunctive placebos in the treatment of moderate and severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: The study was a randomized, single-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial set in the clinical context of standard care.
Intervention: Patients of either sex, admitted in a tertiary care hospital, suffering from moderate or severe COVID-19 and above 18 years of age were included. In total, 150 patients were recruited and then randomly divided into two groups to receive either individualized homeopathic medicines or placebos, in addition to the standard treatment of COVID-19.
Outcome measures: The primary outcome was time taken to achieve RT-PCR-confirmed virus clearance for COVID-19. Secondary outcomes were changes in the Clinical Ordinal Outcomes Scale (COOS) of the World Health Organization, the patient-reported MYMOP2 scale, and several biochemical parameters. Parametric data were analyzed using unpaired t-test. Non-parametric data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test.
Results: In total, 72 participants of the add-on homeopathy (AoH) group showed conversion of RT-PCR status to negative, in an average time of 7.53 ± 4.76 days (mean ± SD), as compared with 11.65 ± 9.54 days in the add-on placebo (AoP) group (p = 0.001). The mean COOS score decreased from 4.26 ± 0.44 to 3.64 ± 1.50 and from 4.3 ± 0.46 to 4.07 ± 1.8 in the AoH and AoP groups respectively (p = 0.130). The mortality rate for the AoH group was 9.7% compared with 17.3% in the AoP group. The MYMOP2 scores between the two groups differed significantly (p = 0.001), in favor of AoH. Inter-group differences in the pre- and post- mean values of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total leukocyte count, platelet count and alkaline phosphatase were each found to be statistically significant (p <0.05), favoring AoH; six other biochemical parameters showed no statistically significant differences.
Conclusion: The study suggests homeopathy may be an effective adjunct to standard care for treating moderate and severe COVID-19 patients. More rigorous, including double-blinded, studies should be performed to confirm or refute these initial findings.
{"title":"Homeopathy as an Adjuvant to Standard Care in Moderate and Severe Cases of COVID-19: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.","authors":"Harleen Kaur, Subhash Kaushik, Gurpreet Singh, Arvind Kumar, Shweta Singh, Tania Chatterjee, Syed Ali, Khushbu Gautam, Maneet Parewa, Naval Kumar Verma, Sushma Bhatnagar, Suraj Pal Singh, Varun Shekhar, Anil Khurana","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1755365","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1755365","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate whether individualized homeopathic medicines have a greater adjunctive effect than adjunctive placebos in the treatment of moderate and severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was a randomized, single-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial set in the clinical context of standard care.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Patients of either sex, admitted in a tertiary care hospital, suffering from moderate or severe COVID-19 and above 18 years of age were included. In total, 150 patients were recruited and then randomly divided into two groups to receive either individualized homeopathic medicines or placebos, in addition to the standard treatment of COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Outcome measures: </strong>The primary outcome was time taken to achieve RT-PCR-confirmed virus clearance for COVID-19. Secondary outcomes were changes in the Clinical Ordinal Outcomes Scale (COOS) of the World Health Organization, the patient-reported MYMOP2 scale, and several biochemical parameters. Parametric data were analyzed using unpaired <i>t</i>-test. Non-parametric data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 72 participants of the add-on homeopathy (AoH) group showed conversion of RT-PCR status to negative, in an average time of 7.53 ± 4.76 days (mean ± SD), as compared with 11.65 ± 9.54 days in the add-on placebo (AoP) group (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The mean COOS score decreased from 4.26 ± 0.44 to 3.64 ± 1.50 and from 4.3 ± 0.46 to 4.07 ± 1.8 in the AoH and AoP groups respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.130). The mortality rate for the AoH group was 9.7% compared with 17.3% in the AoP group. The MYMOP2 scores between the two groups differed significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.001), in favor of AoH. Inter-group differences in the pre- and post- mean values of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total leukocyte count, platelet count and alkaline phosphatase were each found to be statistically significant (<i>p</i> <0.05), favoring AoH; six other biochemical parameters showed no statistically significant differences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study suggests homeopathy may be an effective adjunct to standard care for treating moderate and severe COVID-19 patients. More rigorous, including double-blinded, studies should be performed to confirm or refute these initial findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10529243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Our journal must keep pace with contemporary expertise and active participation in the field of homeopathy, particularly in its clinical and research development. A key facet of any academic journal is the individual and collective membership of its Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), who help to ensure a rich supply of current ideas, articles and peerreviewer input. We have recently reviewed and updated Homeopathy’s EAB team, the first timewe have done so since 2019. In enhancing its overall specialist knowledge base, research activity and relevant geographic spread, the journal is welcoming 15 new EABmembers: Harleen Kaur, Munmun Koley, Praveen Oberai, Subhranil Saha, Simran Tandon (India), Patrízia Ana Bricarello, Cidéli Coelho, Elizabeth C. Perez Hurtado (Brazil), Jean Duckworth, Esther van derWerf, Elizabeth Thompson (UK), Maria Olga Kokornaczyk, Sandra Würtenberger (Switzerland), Joyce Frye (USA), and José Manuel Mazón-Suástegui (Mexico). Five individuals are departing from the EAB after many years of committed contribution to the journal: Philippe Belon, Brian Berman, Martin Chaplin, Klaus Linde and Lionel Milgrom. Not untypically, the current issue ofHomeopathy includes contributions from amongst its EAB membership, with articles in both fundamental and clinical research. The former add further evidence for physical or biological effects of homeopathic medicines in the laboratory setting,1–3while the latter report in vivo effects of homeopathy from clinical trials in humans4,5 and, notably, in penguins.6 The final article is a case report of a woman who received treatment for two concurrent clinical complaints using individualised homeopathic medicine.7
{"title":"Contemporary Expertise in Homeopathy.","authors":"Robert T Mathie","doi":"10.1055/s-0043-1770737","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1770737","url":null,"abstract":"Our journal must keep pace with contemporary expertise and active participation in the field of homeopathy, particularly in its clinical and research development. A key facet of any academic journal is the individual and collective membership of its Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), who help to ensure a rich supply of current ideas, articles and peerreviewer input. We have recently reviewed and updated Homeopathy’s EAB team, the first timewe have done so since 2019. In enhancing its overall specialist knowledge base, research activity and relevant geographic spread, the journal is welcoming 15 new EABmembers: Harleen Kaur, Munmun Koley, Praveen Oberai, Subhranil Saha, Simran Tandon (India), Patrízia Ana Bricarello, Cidéli Coelho, Elizabeth C. Perez Hurtado (Brazil), Jean Duckworth, Esther van derWerf, Elizabeth Thompson (UK), Maria Olga Kokornaczyk, Sandra Würtenberger (Switzerland), Joyce Frye (USA), and José Manuel Mazón-Suástegui (Mexico). Five individuals are departing from the EAB after many years of committed contribution to the journal: Philippe Belon, Brian Berman, Martin Chaplin, Klaus Linde and Lionel Milgrom. Not untypically, the current issue ofHomeopathy includes contributions from amongst its EAB membership, with articles in both fundamental and clinical research. The former add further evidence for physical or biological effects of homeopathic medicines in the laboratory setting,1–3while the latter report in vivo effects of homeopathy from clinical trials in humans4,5 and, notably, in penguins.6 The final article is a case report of a woman who received treatment for two concurrent clinical complaints using individualised homeopathic medicine.7","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9894169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: A 32-year-old patient with colon cancer consulted for homeopathic supportive care (HSC). She had also suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) for 20 years. Could homeopathy treat these two very different issues with the same medicine?
The patient's main concerns: Though the main reason for the consultation was a fear of the side effects of chemotherapy, the presence of Escherichia coli-induced RUTIs affected the patient's quality of life.
Interventions and outcomes: The repertory listing highlighted Pulsatilla as the patient's homeopathic constitutional medicine. It was prescribed both for HSC and also for RUTI. In association with Arsenicum album and Nerves, Pulsatilla enabled a good tolerance to chemotherapy, with rapid recovery from peripheral neuropathies. In combination with Colibacillinum, Pulsatilla provided relapse-free curing of the RUTIs. The MOdified NARanjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) Inventory score was +9.
Conclusion: The one individual's two different clinical complaints were treated with a constitutional homeopathic medicine, Pulsatilla, which covered the whole case. However, in HSC, the use of the constitutional remedy alone is rarely sufficient: it was reinforced by individualised symptomatic medication, organotherapy and isotherapy. For RUTI, isopathic and tubercular miasmatic treatments were each helpful. For both complaints, individualised homeopathy gave rapid, long-lasting and effective results.
{"title":"A Case of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Successfully Treated during Homeopathic Supportive Care in Oncology.","authors":"Jean-Lionel Bagot, Georges Stahl","doi":"10.1055/s-0042-1758554","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1758554","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A 32-year-old patient with colon cancer consulted for homeopathic supportive care (HSC). She had also suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) for 20 years. Could homeopathy treat these two very different issues with the same medicine?</p><p><strong>The patient's main concerns: </strong>Though the main reason for the consultation was a fear of the side effects of chemotherapy, the presence of <i>Escherichia coli</i>-induced RUTIs affected the patient's quality of life.</p><p><strong>Interventions and outcomes: </strong>The repertory listing highlighted <i>Pulsatilla</i> as the patient's homeopathic constitutional medicine. It was prescribed both for HSC and also for RUTI. In association with <i>Arsenicum album</i> and <i>Nerves</i>, <i>Pulsatilla e</i>nabled a good tolerance to chemotherapy, with rapid recovery from peripheral neuropathies. In combination with <i>Colibacillinum</i>, <i>Pulsatilla</i> provided relapse-free curing of the RUTIs. The MOdified NARanjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) Inventory score was +9.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The one individual's two different clinical complaints were treated with a constitutional homeopathic medicine, <i>Pulsatilla</i>, which covered the whole case. However, in HSC, the use of the constitutional remedy alone is rarely sufficient: it was reinforced by individualised symptomatic medication, organotherapy and isotherapy. For RUTI, isopathic and tubercular miasmatic treatments were each helpful. For both complaints, individualised homeopathy gave rapid, long-lasting and effective results.</p>","PeriodicalId":13227,"journal":{"name":"Homeopathy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10159280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}