Immunological studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis treated with Homeopathic drugs: Results of the Pilot Study

Research Paper from CCRH

Immunological studies on Rheumatoid Arthritis treated with Homeopathic drugs: Results of the Pilot Study by  Prakash Rao  & Nagalakshmi Prasanna M
Clinical Research Unit (Homoeopathy) Puducherry
Senior Research Fellow, JIPMER, Puducherry

Introduction & Objective: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a systemic disease, is characterized by a chronic inflammatory reaction in the synovium of joints. The inflammation is mediated by inflammatory cytokines. The objective of the study was to evaluate efficacy of homeopathic drugs and changes in the cytokine profile of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with homeopathic drugs. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 10 healthy controls completed this pilot study. The patients were treated with Rhus tox. (8), Pulsatilla (8) and Medorrhinum (9) according to totality of symptoms. The control group (10) received placebo. The patients were evaluated for disease activity at the time of enrollment in the study and after 3 weeks of therapy. Serum cytokine levels (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α) were measured at baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment.
Result: Patients receiving Rhus tox. showed significant improvement in Patient Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for global assessment of disease after 3 weeks of therapy compared to placebo group(p = 0.03). Patients receiving Pulsatilla showed a significant improvement in tender joint count (p = 0.01) at the end of 3 weeks compared to baseline. They also showed significant decrease in ESR (p
= 0.02) as compared to placebo. However, hs-CRP values in treatment groups did not show significant difference when compared to the placebo group at baseline and after therapy. There was a significant decrease in IL 6 levels after 3 weeks of therapy in the patients treated with Rhus tox. and Medorrhinum
compared to placebo (p=0.05 and 0.04 respectively). Surprisingly, there was a significant increase in IL 6 level in the placebo group compared to their baseline values (p = 0.04), suggesting ineffectiveness of placebo and worsening of the disease process.
Conclusion: In the present open label placebo controlled pilot study patients treated with 3 weeks of homeopathic drugs showed improvement in clinical features, reduction in parameters of inflammation and IL6 levels. These observations suggest a possible immunomodulatory role of homeopathic drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis which need to be confirmed by further studies.

Detailed Report with download link : https://www.box.com/s/iz4x1fk0fiohyhh2hj7i

Clinical evaluation of homoeopathic therapy in the management of hyperlipoproteinemia

Clinical evaluation of homoeopathic therapy in the management of hyperlipoproteinemia by  J.P. Govekar1, V.K. Paul, K. Singh, Praveen Oberai, , Varanasi Roja
Regional Research Institute (H), New Delhi
Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Headquarters, New Delhi

Objectives:This study aimed at evolving a group of useful homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemia, to identify their reliable indications, most useful potencies, frequency of administration and relationship with other medicines.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out during the period 1992-2003. Three hundred and twenty two patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia and various clinical presentations were studied. Patients of more than 30 years of age, with cholesterol > 200mg/dl, triglycerides > 170mg/dl, LDL > 150mg/dl, VLDL > 50mg/dl and HDL < 35 mg/dl were included in this study. Specificparameters were followed to assess the intensity of complaints and the improvement status.
Homoeopathic medicines were prescribed in different potencies (Q to 10M), basing on the presenting complaints, mental and physical attributes of the patients. The patients were advised to have low calorie diet and regular exercise.
Results: Two hundred ninety three (293) patients were followed up regularly and varying degrees of improvement were observed, viz. marked improvement in 77 patients, moderate improvement in 113 patients, mild improvement in 100 patients and no improvement in 03 patients. Abroma augusta 30, Gelsemium 30, Lycopodium 1M, Bryonia alba 30, Pulsatilla 30, Nux vomica 30 were found to be useful among the other prescribed medicines.
Conclusion: Results obtained from the study are encouraging with findings that 26% of the patients improved markedly with an evidence of changes in laboratory parameters. However, an experiment in controlled setting with improved protocol and clearer outcome parameters is required.
Key words: homoeopathy; observational study; hyperlipoproteinaemia; abroma augusta; gelsemium; lycopodium; bryonia alba; pulsatilla; nux vomica.

Courtesy : CCRH

Full Text with download link : https://www.box.com/s/5hsvhit133j2cytmqnej