ISSN 2278-4500

Research Updates Homeopathy

2016 | Volume 5, Issue: 2 | Page: 11 - 17

Published in public interest by Dr. Saurav Arora

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Table of Contents
Keep Abreast with Latest Research in Homeopathy............................................................................11
Studies to be Read .............................................................................................................................................11
Fundamental Research ................................................................................................................................................... 11

Arnica montana effects on gene expression in a human macrophage cell line. Evaluation
by quantitative Real-Time PCR. ....................................................................................................................... 11
Impact of homeopathic remedies on the expression of lineage differentiation genes: an in
vitro approach using embryonic stem cells. .............................................................................................. 11
Establishing the interfacial nano-structure and elemental composition of homeopathic
medicines based on inorganic salts: a scientific approach ................................................................. 11
Polycrystalline structures formed in evaporating droplets as a parameter to test the action
of Zincum metallicum 30c in a wheat seed model .................................................................................. 12
Highly diluted medication reduces tissue parasitism and inflammation in mice infected by
Trypanosoma cruzi. ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Raman spectroscopy reveals variation in free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength in
ultrahigh dilutions .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Effects of Additional Agitation Process on the Spectrophotometric Profiles of Homeopathic
High Dilutions ........................................................................................................................................................... 12
Clinical Research ............................................................................................................................................................... 13

A comparative consecutive case series of 20 children with a diagnosis of ADHD receiving

homeopathic treatment, compared with 10 children receiving usual care................................ 13
Hay fever & homeopathy: a case series evaluation. ............................................................................... 13
Homeopathic medical practice for anxiety and depression in primary care: the EPI3 cohort
study.............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Perioperative Arnica montana for Reduction of Ecchymosis in Rhinoplasty Surgery.......... 14
Review .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Individualized Homeopathy: A Consideration of Its Relationship to Psychotherapy ........... 14

Adverse effects of homeopathy, what do we know? A systematic review and meta-analysis
of randomized controlled trials. ...................................................................................................................... 14
Survey ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

What do homeopathic doctors think of vaccines? An international online survey. ............... 15

Attitudes, Knowledge, Use, and Recommendation of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine by Health Professionals in Western Mexico. ......................................................................... 15
Upcoming Events ...............................................................................................................................................16
IPRH Sitemap at a Glance...............................................................................................................................17
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Keep Abreast with Latest Research in Homeopathy
Studies to be Read
Links to peer-reviewed studies published during April June 2016

Fundamental Research
Arnica montana effects on gene expression in a human macrophage cell line. Evaluation
by quantitative Real-Time PCR.
Homeopathy 2016;105(2): 131-47.
Arnica is one such remedy which is found in every chest box of homeopathic physician, due to its
wide clinical application. To study the curative healing power of Arnica on fundamental grounds,
the authors studied tissue remodelling and healing effects of Arnica in THP-1 human cells, which
differentiate into mature macrophages and into an alternative IL-4-activated phenotype, using
PCR technique. As expected Arnica affected expression of several genes. The study provides new
insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of Arnica as a promoter of healing,
since some of the genes it modifies are key regulators of tissue remodelling, inflammation and
chemotaxis.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491616000126

Impact of homeopathic remedies on the expression of lineage differentiation genes: an in

vitro approach using embryonic stem cells.
Homeopathy 2016; 105(2): 148-59.
There is a constant demand to study the safety of homeopathic medicine during pregnancy. This
study throws some important observations on action of homeopathic medicines on specific
genes, taken during pregnancy using ES cells as the model. The study results suggest that
homeopathy is not associated with developmental toxicity during pregnancy.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615001009

Establishing the interfacial nano-structure and elemental composition of homeopathic

medicines based on inorganic salts: a scientific approach.
Homeopathy 2016; 105(2): 160-72.
IIT Bombay team has been in action since past few years to decode the nanoparticle hypothesis
in homeopathy. In this series this work is the yet another important addition. In earlier studies
the team has shown that homeopathic dilutions retain nanoparticles even beyond Avogadro. In
this study the team uses HR-TEM and STEM techniques to study medicines arising from
inorganic salts as starting materials. The work suggests that the particles develop a coat of silica:
which were seen embedded in a meso-microporous silicate layer through interfacial
encapsulation. On the basis of these studies, the authors propose a universal microstructural
hypothesis that all types of homeopathic medicines consist of silicate coated nano-structures
dispersed in the solvent.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615000740

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Polycrystalline structures formed in evaporating droplets as a parameter to test the

action of Zincum metallicum 30c in a wheat seed model.
Homeopathy 2016; 105(2): 173-79.
Various researchers from Brazil are active as a part of Zincum group, to study various aspects of
remedy Zincum met in ultrahigh dilutions. In the present study the team tested on a wheat seed
model Zincum met 30c efficacy versus controls. The results were encouraging. There was a
significant differences in LCFD values of polycrystalline structures obtained from stressed seeds
following the treatments (p<0.0001); Zincum met 30c lowered the structures' complexity
compared to lactose 30c and water. In non-stressed seeds no significant differences were found.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615000806

Highly diluted medication reduces tissue parasitism and inflammation in mice infected by
Trypanosoma cruzi.
Homeopathy 2015;105(2):186-93.
To study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kalium causticum, Conium maculatum, and Lycopodium
clavatum 13cH in mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. The study was a blind, controlled,
randomized study, in which 102 male Swiss, infected mice, were studied. Lyco significantly
benefitted the infected mice with T. cruzi, reducing the number of blood parasites, amastigote
nests in tissue, and the number of amastigotes per nest and increasing animal survival.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615000739

Raman spectroscopy reveals variation in free OH groups and hydrogen bond strength in
ultrahigh dilutions.
Int J High Dilution Res. 2016; 15(2): 2-9.
In the previous issue of IJHDR Sukul, et al demonstrated the nature of water structure of UHD of
Natrum muriaticum and Sulphur by Laser Raman Spectroscopy, on the basis of hydrogen bond
strength and free OH groups. Continuing this work, in this issue, Sukul et al analyzed Raman
spectra of two more drugs Calcarea carbonica, Sepia and their diluents medium aqueous ethanol.
The work confirms that the two factors, free OH groups, and H-bond strength, contribute to the
variation in water structures in homeopathic dilutions, which are unique for every drug. In a
way, these may be considered as water-ethanol signatures of each dilution.
Link to study: http://www.feg.unesp.br/~ojs/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/819/818

Effects of Additional Agitation Process on the Spectrophotometric Profiles of

Homeopathic High Dilutions .
Int J High Dilution Res. 2016; 15(2):10-21.
In this work the basic research question originates from the observation that in some instances
additional agitations (succussions) are given to homeopathic dilutions before clinical use. The
authors explored the spectroscopic profiles comparing additionally agitated and non-agitated
dilutions. A statistical difference was observed in the absorbance when comparing a previously

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agitated solution and a solution with no agitation before taking it. The work also throws light on
differences in spectroscopic profiles according to each dilutions kingdom. The authors found
that drugs from the same kingdom have similar spectroscopic profiles, which somehow
corroborates with the similarities observed in the therapeutic response of homeopathic
remedies from the same kingdom. For e.g. as in the case of Aconitum, Pulsatilla and Cimicifuga
(belonging to the Ranunculaceae) or in the case of Ignatia and Nux Vomica, that come from the
same order and share the alkaloid strychnine.
Link to study: http://www.feg.unesp.br/~ojs/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/816/819

Clinical Research
A comparative consecutive case series of 20 children with a diagnosis of ADHD receiving
homeopathic treatment, compared with 10 children receiving usual care.
Homeopathy 2016; 105(2): 194-201.
ADHD is increasingly being reported in day to day practice, for which majority of population
seek homeopathic treatment as it is effective, safe and affordable. In this study 20 children from
5 16 years of age group, pre diagnosed with ADHD underwent homeopathic treatment for one
year and ten children for four months. The study explored optimum treatment protocols; the
effectiveness, deliverability and acceptability of treatment; and the feasibility of outcome
measurement and recruitment. The recruiters observed that homeopathy offered sustained,
increasing improvements which was acceptable to participants, but to report methodical results
further research is warranted.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615000764

Hay fever & homeopathy: a case series evaluation.

Homeopathy 2016; 105(2): 202-08.
Homeopathy is known for effective treatment of allergies and seasonal ailments, allergic rhinitis
being one of them. But to scientifically establish facts we need quality research. This study
assessed the clinical effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in the alleviation of hay fever
symptoms in a typical clinical setting. The study was an observational study recruiting eight
patients followed up for two years. Homeopathy was able to alleviate the fever symptoms. The
author concluded that the results presented in this study can be considered as a step towards a
pilot pragmatic study, which is indeed need of the hour.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491616000114

Homeopathic medical practice for anxiety and depression in primary care: the EPI3
cohort study.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 May 4;16(1):125.
In homeopathy we are in constant demand for studies other than RCTs and case series. This
EPI3 cohort study took into consideration the treatment of anxiety and depression in primary
care. Anxiety and depression are amongst the most common clinical symptoms, majority of

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which go undiagnosed and untreated. The research compared the utilization of conventional
psychotropic drugs and homeopathy among patients seeking care for anxiety and depression
disorders. A total of 710 patients agreed to participate in the study. It was concluded that patient
who took homeopathy reported less use of conventional psychotropic drugs, and were
marginally more likely to experience clinical improvement. We need such kind of studies to
understand homeopathy from various angles.
Link to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27145957
Perioperative Arnica montana for Reduction of Ecchymosis in Rhinoplasty Surgery.
Ann Plast Surg. 2016 May;76(5):477-82.
Application of homeopathy in surgical and post-surgical conditions is even more controversial
than its clinical use. The author based on past experience of reduction of post-operative
ecchymosis after rhytidectomy lead them to this experiment, to objectively shown the efficacy of
Arnica in reducing postoperative ecchymosis in rhinoplasty surgery. Nine subject were given
homeopathy as add-on in comparison to 13 subjects who receive conventional treatment
regimen. Arnica accelerated the postoperative healing, with quicker resolution of the extent and
the intensity of ecchymosis after osteotomies in rhinoplasty surgery.
Link to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25954844

Review
Individualized Homeopathy: A Consideration of Its Relationship to Psychotherapy
J Altern Complement Med. 2016 Jun 10.
Homeopathic case taking is an essential and artistic part of our science. Individualized
homeopathy or in common words constitutional homeopathy is the main stay when it comes to
classical homeopathy. A recent study published in JACM (2016) debates on the issue of
individualized homeopathy as a form of psychotherapy. The study after comparing both from
the literature sums up that there is a possibility that individualized homeopathy entails specific
psychotherapeutic process in addition to possible therapeutic action of homeopathic medicines.
This paper has summed up an important issue in scientific terms which we have been practicing
since inception!
Link to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27285053

Adverse effects of homeopathy, what do we know? A systematic review and meta-analysis

of randomized controlled trials.
Complement Ther Med. 2016 Jun; 26: 146-63.
When it comes to adverse effects of homeopathy, we have none to state! Clinically we do not see
or hear any physician talking about adverse action of homeopathy. For skeptics, homeopathy
either doesnt act or have adverse effects. This seems strange from a common sense of view.
How can it be possible for homeopathy to have either no effect or only side effect!

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A review recently published in Complement Ther Med. (2016) addresses this issue. According to
conceptual thinking we need to find out the difference between adverse actions and
homeopathic aggravations. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using RCTs
databases search, and a total of 39 studies was included in the additional meta-analysis. The
study concluded that adverse effects including homeopathic aggravation are commonly reported
in trials, which is somewhat similar to patients randomized to homeopathic treatment compared
to patients randomized to placebo and conventional medicine. This study has raised an
important issue which must also be studied in depth using different research and clinical
designs.
Link to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261996

Survey
What do homeopathic doctors think of vaccines? An international online survey.
Homeopathy 2016; 15(2): 180-85.
Vaccination is probably the most recent controversy surrounding homeopathy, which has been
dragged in beyond clinical realm to ethical and legal aspects, and homeopathy is believed to be a
reason for this vaccine refusal by masses. This work sought to investigate the attitude of
homeopathic doctors towards vaccination and associated variables, by means of an international
online survey. The survey got 512 responses. The survey yield important observation that
homeopaths from Brazil, where homeopathy is officially accredited, were more favourable to
vaccination compared to respondents from countries where homeopathy has inferior status
(p<0.001). It also concluded that there is no contradiction between homeopathy and primary
prevention by means of vaccination.
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491615000843
Attitudes, Knowledge, Use, and Recommendation of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine by Health Professionals in Western Mexico.
Explore (NY). 2016 May-Jun;12(3):180-7.
The survey delineates the attitudes, knowledge, use, and recommendation of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine by Health Professionals in Western Mexico.100 biomedical researchers
and 107 specialized physicians were surveyed. Surprisingly in this survey researchers used
homeopathy more than physicians (83% vs. 69.2%, P = .023). Homeopathy, herbal medicine, and
massage therapy were the most commonly used CAMs in both the groups. Physicians more
frequently recommended homeopathy, massage therapy, and yoga to their patients than other
forms of CAM, and physicians had the highest perception of safety and had taken the most
courses in homeopathy. However, this survey also addresses the issue that the recommendation
rate of CAM by Mexican physicians was significantly lower than that in other countries, which is
probably due to the lack of CAM training in most Mexican medical schools.
Link to study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27084337

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