D.N. De Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital

Introduction: Alopecia totalis is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss anywhere in the body, but it most commonly affects the hair of the scalp. It occurs in people of all ages and affects 1–2% of the human population. The homoeopathic literature suggests that cases of alopecia totalis have been treated successfully with homoeopathic medicines. Case Summary: This case highlights the potential of the individualised homoeopathic remedy in promoting hair regrowth in alopecia totalis in a 14-yr old girl. The patient was prescribed Calcarea carbonica 200C, 2 doses on the basis of totality of symptoms and individualisation. This evidence-based case report shows how Homoeopathy can offer a promising alternative to conventional treatment in such cases.

AbstractHypertension (HTN) remains one of the major risk factors for heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease worldwide. This study was undertaken to compare the antihypertensive effects produced by the mother tinctures (MTs) of three homeopathic drugs—Rauwolfia serpentina (RS), Viscum album (VA), and Spartium scoparium (SS; also known as Cytisus scoparius [CS]) in essential hypertension. This open-label, randomized, three parallel arm, pragmatic, pilot trial was conducted on 60 participants with essential hypertension in the outpatient department of D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Participants were randomized into three groups: RS, VA, and SS equally. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at baseline and after 30 and 60 minutes. Group differences at different time points and overall were measured using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and three-way repeated measure ANOVA models, respectively, after adjusting for baseline differences using intention-to-treat approaches. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Endpoint analysis included 60 participants. Although the highest mean reductions in SBP and DBP with time were achieved in the RS group, all three medicines revealed similar antihypertensive effects without any significant differences (SBP: F 2, 57 = 1.710, p = 0.190; DBP: F 2, 57 = 0.732, p = 0.485). No harm or serious adverse events were reported from either of the groups. All three medicines (RS, VA, and SS) produced similar antihypertensive effects in essential hypertension. Trial registration: CTRI/2021/02/031548; UTN: U1111–1264–6856.

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 (F 1, 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: F 1, 52 = 0.019; p = 0.891; DLQI: F 1, 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.

AbstractStrychnos potatorum L.f. is a deciduous tree of 12 metre height, belongs to Loganiaceae family under genus Strychnos and is commonly distributed throughout India. Its flowering time is from February to May and fruiting time from October to March. This plant contains diaboline as active compound and besides it, terpenoid, cardiac glycoside and phenolic compounds as other phytochemical constituents. Recent study has revealed that the plant's seed has antidiabetic, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antineoplastic, antimicrobial and contraceptive properties. Hence different systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha have included this plant in their pharmacopoeial preparation and use it according to their own principles. Ayurvedic system uses the seed against skin disease, gonorrhoea, fever and inflammation of the eyes. Unani system uses it for treatment of urinary complaints whereas Siddha system uses it for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Genus Strychnos is a well-known genus to homoeopathy system. Drugs like Ignatia and Nux vomica belong to this genus, but no data till today regarding the above-stated plant are available in the homoeopathic pharmacopoeia of India. So, the objective of this physiochemical study is to search the scope of inclusion of this plant as new medicinal source in homoeopathic system of medicine for the purpose of drug proving. Keeping this objective in our mind, chemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of the seed was done by thin layer chromatography and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, which was followed by preparation and standardisation of mother tincture.

Abstract Background Agraphis nutans (AN) is a potential homeopathic medicine in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis, but has remained under-researched. This trial attempts to compare the effects of AN with individualised homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis in adults. Methods An open, randomised, pragmatic, equivalence trial was conducted to compare the effects of AN with IHMs. Sixty adults suffering from chronic tonsillitis were randomised to receive either AN (n = 30) or IHMs (n = 30). Three visual analogue scales (VASs) in the sore throat pain model (STPM) – sore throat pain intensity scale (STPIS), difficulty swallowing scale (DSS) and swollen throat scale (swoTS)—were used as the primary outcome while tonsil and adenoid health status instrument (TAHSI) and Glasgow benefit inventory (GBI) as the secondary outcomes; and they were measured after 6 and 12 weeks. Intention-to-treat sample was analysed to detect non-inferiority of AN against IHMs and group differences using two-ways (split-half) repeated measure analysis of variance and unpaired t-tests. Results Reductions in all three STPM-VASs, TAHSI and GBI total and subscale scores were significant in the IHMs group (all p < 0.001, except TAHSI halitosis and nocturnal breathing subscale scores), but not in the AN group. Still, except GBI, non-inferiority was exhibited by AN against IHMs in rest of the outcomes after 6 and 12 weeks (all p < 0.001). Hepar sulphuris calcareum (n = 11; 36.7%) and Mercurius solubilis (n = 3; 10%) were the most frequently prescribed remedies in the IHMs group. Conclusion AN performed non-inferior to IHMs in treatment of chronic tonsillitis in adults; however, it may result from suppression of symptoms. Rigorous and larger trials are warranted. Trial Registration: CTRI/2018/10/016233; UTN: U1111–1221–8221.