remained free of UTI , and UTI frequency was reduced in three patients .
5 . Shah , R . Clinical trial for evaluation of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus nosode in the treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐Infected individuals . Indian J Res Hom , 2015 , 9 , 25-33 . A total of 27 people diagnosed with HIV infection were given the Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV ) nosode in 30C and 50C homeopathic potencies . An analysis of the outcomes found that of the study participants , 7 ( 25.93 %) showed a sustained reduction in the viral load from 12 to 24 weeks and 9 participants ( 33.33 %) showed an increase in the CD4 + count by 20 % in 12th and 24th week . Significant weight gain was observed at week 12 ( P = 0.0206 ); 63 % and 55 % showed an overall increase in either appetite or weight ; 52 % ( 14 of 27 ) participants showed either stability or improvement in CD4 + at the end of 24 weeks , of which 37 % participants showed improvement ( 1.54‐48.35 %) in CD4 + count and 15 % had stable CD4 + percentage count at week 24 . A total of 16 out of 27 participants had a decrease ( 1.8 – 46.43 %) in CD8 count .
6 . van Haselen R , et al . The Effectiveness and Safety of a Homeopathic Medicinal Product in Pediatric Upper Respiratory Tract Infections With Fever : A Randomized Controlled Trial . Glob Pediatr Health , 2016 , doi : 10.1177 / 2333794X16654851 . Researchers in this trial investigated the clinical effectiveness of homeopathic add-on therapy in a paediatric subpopulation with upper respiratory tract infections ( URTI ) in a randomised , controlled , multinational clinical trial . Patients received either on-demand symptomatic standard treatment ( STgroup ) or the same ST plus a homeopathic combination ( Influcid ; IFC-group ) for 7 days . Outcome assessment was based on symptom and fever resolution and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 ( WURSS-21 ). A total of 261 (< 12 years ) patients ( 130 IFC-group ; 131 ST-group ) were recruited in Germany and the Ukraine . The IFC-group used less symptomatic medication , symptoms resolved significantly earlier ( P = . 0001 ), had higher proportions of fever-free children from day 3 onwards , and the WURSS-assessed global disease severity was significantly less ( P < . 0001 ) during the entire URTI episode among the ST group . IFC as add-on treatment in paediatric URTI reduced global disease severity , shortened symptom resolution , and was safe in use .
Animal Studies
1 . Tungnunga IB , et al . Therapeutic evaluation of drug Crotalus horridus 200C against ehrlichiosis‐infected dogs in Mizoram . Indian J Res Hom , 2016 , 10 , 42-51 . The aim here was to study , the effect of the homeopathic medicine , Crotalus horridus 200C , on ehrlichiosis in dogs in an endemic area of Aizawl district of Mizoram state of India . Twelve positive cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) were divided into two groups comprising six dogs in each group . One group was treated with standard therapy ( doxycycline ) and other group was treated with Crotalus h at 4 pills orally for 20 days . Clinical improvement of affected dogs was recorded after therapy . Haemoglobin ( Hb ), packed cell volume ( PCV ), total erythrocyte count ( TEC ), total leukocyte count ( TLC ), differential leukocyte count ( DLC ), platelet count , total protein , albumin , globulin , A : G ratio , total bilirubin , serum creatinine , blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ), and liver‐specific enzymes , namely alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) and alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ), were assessed following standard protocols before and after treatment . All parameters were compared with a healthy control group ( T3 ). The results from the PCR and blood tests showed a statistically significant association between the use of Crotalus h and recovery from canine ehrlichiosis .
Plant Studies
1 . Gupta VK , et al . Dose‐dependent effect of homoeopathic drug Zinc sulphate on plant growth using Bacopa monnieri as model system . Indian J Res Hom , 2014 , 8 , 19-23 . Indian researchers analysed the effects of a homeopathic preparation of Zinc sulphate on plants through in‐vitro assay using Bacopa monnieri as a model plant system . Six homeopathic potencies ( 1X to 6X ) of Zinc sulphate were used along with the control ( MS basal agar medium ). The samples were evaluated by adding a fixed amount ( 100 μl ) in the media as well as by dipping the explants in the test sample overnight . At the completion of the incubation period ( 14 days ) the fresh and dry weight , number and length of the roots , number and length of the shoots and the number of leaves were analysed . It was observed that Zinc sulphate showed growth inhibition at potencies from 1X to 5X , whereas at potency 6X , it exhibited growth promotion effect , when compared with the control .
In-Vitro Studies
1 . Passeti TA , et al . Action of antibiotic oxacillin on in-vitro growth of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) previously treated with homeopathic medicines . Homeopathy , 2017 , 106 , 1 , 27-31 . A research team sought to assess the effect of the homeopathic medicine Belladonna ( Bell ) and a nosode ( biotherapy ) prepared from a multi-drug resistant bacterial species , methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ), on the same bacterium . Bell and MRSA nosode were prepared in 6C and 30C potencies in 30 % alcohol and sterile water and tested on MRSA National Collection of Type Cultures ( NCTC ) 10442 . The team assessed in-vitro bacterial growth , deoxyribonuclease ( DNAase ) and haemolysin activity , and in-vitro bacterial growth in combination with oxacillin ( minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC ). All values were compared to control : 30 % alcohol and water . In-vitro growth of MRSA was statistically significantly inhibited in the presence of Bell and nosode 6C and 30C compared to controls ( p < 0.0001 ); and with a combination of Bell or nosode 6C and 30C and oxacillin ( p < 0.001 ). Bell 30C and nosode 6C and 30C significantly decreased bacterial DNAse production ( p < 0.001 ) and reduced red blood cell lysis . This showed that cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in-vitro , had reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic , oxacillin .
JATMS | Winter 2023 | 87