3 . Klein-Laansma CT , et al . Semiindividualized homeopathy add-on versus usual care only for premenstrual disorders : A randomized , controlled feasibility study . J Alt Compl Med . 2018 ; 24 ( 7 ): 684-93 . This European study compared the add-on effect of homeopathic treatment and usual care , with usual care alone for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder ( PMS / PMDD ) using a multi-centre , randomized , controlled pragmatic trial with parallel group design . The study was carried out in general and private homeopathic practices in the Netherlands and Sweden , and in an outpatient university clinic in Germany . Sixty women diagnosed as having PMS / PMDD , based on prospective daily rating by the daily record of severity of problems ( DRSP ) during a period of 2 months , were included and randomized to receive usual care plus homeopathy ( UC + HT ) or usual care ( UC ) for 4 months . The homeopathic medicine was selected according to a previously tested prognostic questionnaire and electronic algorithm . Usual care was as provided by the women ' s general practitioner according to their preferences . Before and after treatment , the women completed diaries ( DRSP ), measures of self-assessed well-being , and other questionnaires . After 4 months , relative mean change of DRSP scores in the UC + HT group was significantly better than in the UC group .
In-Vitro Research
1 . Samadder A . et al . The potentized homeopathic drug , Lycopodium clavatum ( 5C and 15C ) has anti-cancer effect on hela cells in-vitro . J Acupunct Meridian Stud . 2013 ; 6 ( 4 ): 180-7 . The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether homeopathically prepared Lycopodium 5C ( LC5C ) and 15C ( LC15C ) had any effect upon HeLa cells ( a commonly used cell cancer line ). Cells were exposed to LC-5C , LC-15C or to 30 % succussed ethanol ( control ). The drug-induced modulation in the percent cell viability , the onset of apoptosis , and changes in the expressions of Bax , Bcl2 , caspase 3 , and Apaf proteins in internucleosomal DNA , in mitochondrial membrane potentials and in the release of cytochrome-c were analysed by utilising different experimental protocols . Results revealed that the administration of LC-5C and LC-15C had little or no cytotoxic effect in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells , but caused considerable cell death through apoptosis in HeLa cells , which was evident from the induction of DNA fragmentation , the increases in the expressions of protein and mRNA of caspase 3 and Bax , and the decreases in the expressions of Bcl2 and Apaf and in the release of cytochrome-c . Thus , the homeopathics LC-5C and LC- 15C demonstrated the capacity to induce apoptosis in cancer cells , signifying their possible use as supportive medicines in cancer therapy .
2 . Ahn KH , et al . Anti-proliferative effect of Klimaktoplan ® on human breast cancer cells . Arch Gynecol Obstet . 2013 ; 288 ( 4 ): 833-8 . This study investigated the effects of a combination of potentised substances ( Klimaktoplan ) referred to by the authors as a " homeopathic product " on the proliferation of breast cancer ( MCF-7 ) and non-malignant mammary epithelial cells ( MCF-10A ). MCF-7 and MCF- 10A cells were cultured in 312.5 , 625 , and 1,250 μg / ml Klimaktoplan . 17-Beta estradiol ( E2 ) and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate ( MPA ) were used for comparison with Klimaktoplan . E2 only ( 0.001 , 0.01 , and 0.1 μM ), and the combination of E2 ( 0.001 , 0.01 , and 0.1 μM ) and MPA ( 0.01 , 0.1 , and 1 μM ) were tested . Control cells for Klimaktoplan and E2 groups were treated with dimethylsulfoxide ( DMSO ), and DMSO + ethanol was used for the combination group . Cellular proliferation was evaluated by the formation of insoluble formazan after incubation of 4 days . The results showed that Klimaktoplan had a concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cells at 625 and 1,250 μg / ml , while not affecting the proliferation of nonmalignant mammary cells at any tested concentration .
3 . Toliopoulos IK , et al . Stimulation of natural killer cells by homoeopathic complexes : An in-vitro and in-vivo pilot study in advanced cancer patients . Cell Biochem Funct . 2013 ; 31 (): 713- 8 . The research team involved here evaluated the effects of five combinations of potentised substances , referred to here as " homeopathic complexes ", on the functional activity of natural killer cells ( NKCs ) in advanced cancer patients . These complexes were Coenzyme Compositum , Ubichinon Compositum , Glyoxal Compositum , Katalysatoren and Traumeel . Experimental procedures included in-vitro and in-vivo trials . The in-vitro trials were performed in NKCs isolated from 12 healthy volunteers and incubated with the five complexes . The invivo trials were performed in 15 advanced cancer patients supplemented for 3 months . All five complexes significantly increased the cytotoxic activity of the NKCs at the lowest NKCs / target cell ratio 12:1 ( p < 0 · 05 ). The order of activity was : Ubichinon Compositum , Glyoxal Compositum , Katalysatoren , Traumeel , and Coenzyme Compositum . In the advanced cancer patients , the complexes significantly increased NKCs cytotoxic activity .
REFERENCES 1 . UK Parliament House of Commons . 2010 . Science and Technology Committee – Fourth Report . Evidence Check 2 : Homeopathy . Available from : https :// publications . parliament . uk / pa / cm200910 / cmselect / cmsctech / 45 / 4502 . htm
2 . Sense about Science . Available from : . http :// archive . senseaboutscience . org / resources . php / 54 / sense-about-homeopathy . html
3 . Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council . 2015 . NHMRC Information Paper . Evidence on the effectiveness of homeopathy for treating health conditions . Available from : https :// nhmrc . gov . au / about-us / publications / evidence-effectiveness-homeopathytreating-health-conditions # block-viewsblock-file-attachments-content-block-1
4 . U . S . Food & Drug Administration . 2023 . What is homeopathy ? Available from : https :// www . fda . gov / drugs / informationdrug-class / homeopathic-products
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