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Teixeira MZ. Homeopathy is not placebo effect: proof of the scientific evidence for homeopathy in open access trilingual e-book. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2024; 79:100456. [PMID: 39098144 PMCID: PMC11345309 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2024.100456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
•Homeopathy is based on four heterodox and complementary scientific assumptions. •Pseudoskeptics deny these assumptions and any scientific evidence that proves them. •The e-book proves the scientific evidence for homeopathy. •The e-book describes hundreds of experimental and clinical studies in homeopathy. •The e-book demystifies the fallacy that “homeopathy is placebo effect”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Zulian Teixeira
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Basu N, Tandon S. Protocol Standardization of Homeopathic Medicines' Preparation and Dosing for Experimental Model Systems In Vitro. HOMEOPATHY 2024. [PMID: 38740372 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjana Basu
- Amity Institute of Indian System of Medicine, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Simran Tandon
- Amity School of Health Sciences, Amity University Punjab, Mohali, India
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Teixeira MZ. "Homeopathy is not placebo effect": proof of the scientific evidence for homeopathy. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2024; 70:e20231438. [PMID: 38716949 PMCID: PMC11068375 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20231438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Zulian Teixeira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry – São Paulo (SP), Brazil
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Hamre HJ, Glockmann A, von Ammon K, Riley DS, Kiene H. Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment: Systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised placebo-controlled homoeopathy trials for any indication. Syst Rev 2023; 12:191. [PMID: 37805577 PMCID: PMC10559431 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Since 1997, several meta-analyses (MAs) of placebo-controlled randomised efficacy trials of homoeopathy for any indication (PRETHAIs) have been published with different methods, results and conclusions. To date, a formal assessment of these MAs has not been performed. The main objective of this systematic review of MAs of PRETHAIs was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment. METHODS The inclusion criteria were as follows: MAs of PRETHAIs in humans; all ages, countries, settings, publication languages; and MAs published from 1 Jan. 1990 to 30 Apr. 2023. The exclusion criteria were as follows: systematic reviews without MAs; MAs restricted to age or gender groups, specific indications, or specific homoeopathic treatments; and MAs that did not assess efficacy. We searched 8 electronic databases up to 14 Dec. 2020, with an update search in 6 databases up to 30 April 2023. The primary outcome was the effect estimate for all included trials in each MA and after restricting the sample to trials with high methodological quality, according to predefined criteria. The risk of bias for each MA was assessed by the ROBIS (Risk Of Bias In Systematic reviews) tool. The quality of evidence was assessed by the GRADE framework. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the proportion of MAs showing a significant positive effect of homoeopathy vs. no significant difference. RESULTS Six MAs were included, covering individualised homoeopathy (I-HOM, n = 2), nonindividualised homoeopathy (NI-HOM, n = 1) and all homoeopathy types (ALL-HOM = I-HOM + NI-HOM, n = 3). The MAs comprised between 16 and 110 trials, and the included trials were published from 1943-2014. The median trial sample size ranged from 45 to 97 patients. The risk of bias (low/unclear/high) was rated as low for three MAs and high for three MAs. Effect estimates for all trials in each MA showed a significant positive effect of homoeopathy compared to placebo (5 of 5 MAs, no data in 1 MA). Sensitivity analyses with sample restriction to high-quality trials were available from 4 MAs; the effect remained significant in 3 of the MAs (2 MAs assessed ALL-HOM, 1 MA assessed I-HOM) and was no longer significant in 1 MA (which assessed NI-HOM). DISCUSSION The quality of evidence for positive effects of homoeopathy beyond placebo (high/moderate/low/very low) was high for I-HOM and moderate for ALL-HOM and NI-HOM. There was no support for the alternative hypothesis of no outcome difference between homoeopathy and placebo. The available MAs of PRETHAIs reveal significant positive effects of homoeopathy beyond placebo. This is in accordance with laboratory experiments showing partially replicable effects of homoeopathically potentised preparations in physico-chemical, in vitro, plant-based and animal-based test systems. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020209661. The protocol for this SR was finalised and submitted on 25 Nov. 2020 and registered on 26 Dec. 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Hamre
- Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at Witten/Herdecke University (IFAEMM), Freiburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
| | - A Glockmann
- Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at Witten/Herdecke University (IFAEMM), Freiburg, Germany
| | - K von Ammon
- Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - D S Riley
- Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH), Laurel, MD, USA
- Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States (HPCUS), Southeastern, PA, USA
| | - H Kiene
- Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at Witten/Herdecke University (IFAEMM), Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
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Kumar A, Prajapati S, Sharma M, Singh T, Choudhary N, Bharti AC, Sharma R, Gupta P. Quantitative assessment of antioxidant potential of selected homeopathic preparations in clinical practice. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2022:dmdi-2022-0169. [PMID: 36577508 DOI: 10.1515/dmpt-2022-0169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antioxidant property like radical scavenging is a primary target to elucidate the efficacy mechanism of a drug against diseases linked to oxidative stress such as cancer, metabolic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. In alternative therapies, homeopathy is one of the preferred choices by patients and clinicians due to its potential to cure chronic and complex illnesses. However, the efficacy of homeopathic preparations at high diluted potencies attracts rational criticism due to insufficient scientific knowledge supporting the mechanism of action. Therefore, an attempt was made to estimate the total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity of clinically prescribed homeopathic drugs. METHODS With gallic acid as a reference control, mother tinctures (MTs) and different potencies of Eucalyptus globulus (EG), Syzygium jambolanum (SJ), Ruta graveolens (RG), and Thuja occidentalis (TO) were used to perform Folin-Ciocalteu test, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. RESULTS The results showed TPC of MTs equivalent to µg/mL of gallic acid viz; EG (4,872.5 ± 133.2), SJ (8,840.5 ± 14.8), RG (985.6 ± 39.1), and TO (341.5 ± 19.5) with significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging potential. Whereas 30C and 200C potencies of each homeopathic drug showed undetectable phenolic content and insignificant radical scavenging potential compared to vehicle control, i.e., alcohol 90% (2.0 ± 1.5). CONCLUSIONS The reported efficacy of 30C and 200C potencies of homeopathic medicines against oxidative stress-related illnesses might be due to mechanisms other than radical scavenging. Furthermore, the assays studied can be helpful in drug standardization and quality control of MTs that are used as starting material in homeopathic preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Drug Standardization Unit, Dr. DP Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Department of Zoology, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi- 110007 , India
| | - Suneel Prajapati
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Drug Standardization Unit, Dr. DP Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mahima Sharma
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Drug Standardization Unit, Dr. DP Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Tejveer Singh
- Department of Zoology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi- 110007 , India
| | - Neha Choudhary
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Alok C Bharti
- Department of Zoology, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Pankaj Gupta
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Drug Standardization Unit, Dr. DP Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
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TRAMONTANA A, NICOLAI E, SORGE R, GAZIANO R, MARINO D, MONTELEONE G, MIANGOLARRA PAGE JC, ROSATO N. Dynamization-induced nanosolutes (DINS) in ultra-dilute solutions. Analysis on homeopathic dilute capsules below and over the Avogadro's number. GAZZETTA MEDICA ITALIANA ARCHIVIO PER LE SCIENZE MEDICHE 2022. [DOI: 10.23736/s0393-3660.21.04735-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Baars EW, Kienle GS, Heusser P, Pedersen PA, van Wietmarschen HA, Kiene H, von Schoen-Angerer T, Hamre HJ. Anthroposophic Medicinal Products: A Literature Review of Features, Similarities and Differences to Conventional Medicinal Products, Scientific and Regulatory Assessment. Glob Adv Health Med 2022; 11:21649561211073079. [PMID: 35281956 PMCID: PMC8915225 DOI: 10.1177/21649561211073079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regulatory assessment of anthroposophic medicinal products (AMPs) can be challenging due to their specific features. Objective The aim of this paper is therefore to provide adequate scientific information on AMPs for regulatory purposes. Methods A literature review was executed with database searches in PubMed, Cinahl, Merkurstab, Anthromedics, and https://iaap-pharma.org/. Search terms were: anthroposophic medicinal products, anthroposophic medicines, anthroposophic pharmacy. There was no language restriction; searches were executed from onset until June 11, 2020. In addition, experts were invited to suggest relevant literature. Results Eighty-seven of 660 identified publications were included. The system of anthroposophic medicine (AM) with its conceptual background and various aspects of AMPs was described: definition, pharmaceutical properties, an example of AMP development, use in clinical practice, similarities with and differences to conventional medicinal products, societal aspects, scientific and regulatory assessment. Conclusion AMPs are part of the integrative whole medical system of AM. AMPs are manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practice and national drug regulations and have an excellent safety status; the limited available evidence suggests clinical benefits. Current drug regulation of AMPs in the EU and most European countries does not take the special properties of AMPs into account. Future research should focus on appropriate methodologies for the evaluation of effects of AMPs as part of the AM whole medical system, the scientific quality of its non-atomistic holistic ontological position, and the integration of AM and conventional medicine in clinical practice. Future policies should focus on appropriate ways of addressing regulatory challenges to AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik W Baars
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Department Nutrition & Health, Louis Bolk Institute, Driebergen, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Healthcare, University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gunver S Kienle
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, Witten/Herdecke University, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, Center for Complementary Medicine, Institute for Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Heusser
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Peter A Pedersen
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Independent Pharmaceutical Consultant, Søborg, Denmark
| | - Herman A van Wietmarschen
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Department Nutrition & Health, Louis Bolk Institute, Driebergen, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut Kiene
- Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, Witten/Herdecke University, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany
| | | | - Harald J Hamre
- ESCAMP, European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, Witten/Herdecke University, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Health, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany
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9
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Macías-Cortés EDC, Llanes-González L, Aguilar-Faisal L, Asbun-Bojalil J. Individualized Homeopathy for Depression in Climacteric Women: Comments on the Retraction by PLoS ONE. HOMEOPATHY 2020; 109:267-270. [PMID: 32777857 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In April 2020 PLoS ONE retracted an original clinical research article, published in 2015, in which we demonstrated that individualized homeopathic treatment improves depression symptoms in climacteric women. The original assessment of this study was carried out by an expert in psychiatry (depression research) with close to 35 years' experience in the field of mental health. During post-publication discussions, no serious breaches of scientific procedure or misconduct were even insinuated. Our team answered all "points of concern", raised by the current PLoS ONE editors, in extensive detail. All these were potential limitations of our study, which would usually be addressed by one of several appropriate post-publication actions, ranging from discussion of the concern within a systematic review, through to correcting the study itself by adding a correction notice. Therefore, in the interests of transparency and accuracy, a summary of the most relevant points is provided, so that a fair-minded reader can objectively form a clear opinion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Del Carmen Macías-Cortés
- Consulta Externa Homeopatía, Hospital Juárez de México, Secretaría de Salud, Ave. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 5160, Col. Magdalena de las Salinas, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lidia Llanes-González
- Unidad de Salud Mental, Hospital Juárez de México, Secretaría de Salud, Ave. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 5160, Col. Magdalena de las Salinas, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leopoldo Aguilar-Faisal
- Sección de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ave. Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón, Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Asbun-Bojalil
- Sección de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ave. Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón, Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico
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Arnica montana and Bellis perennis for seroma reduction following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00238-019-01618-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Segat HJ, Metz VG, Rosa HZ, Dias VT, Barcelos RC, Dolci GS, Burger ME. Substitution therapy with amphetamine-isotherapic attenuates amphetamine toxicological aspects of addiction. Neurosci Lett 2019; 690:138-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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de Lima LF, Rubessa M, Rocha RMP, Winters R, Milner DJ, Campello CC, Figueiredo JR, Wheeler MB. High diluted and dynamised follicle stimulating hormone modulates steroid production in isolated porcine preantral follicles cultured in vitro. HOMEOPATHY 2018; 106:87-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
This study investigated the effect of two different follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) preparations (diluted/dynamised and diluted) on the in vitro development and steroid production (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) of isolated porcine preantral follicle after in vitro culture.
Methods:
Secondary follicles were cultured in Alpha Minimum Essential Medium (α-MEM+) supplemented with grain ethanol (AL – 0.2%, v/v), diluted/dynamised FSH (rFSH 6cH – 0.05 fg/mL) or diluted-only FSH (1.5 ng/mL) for 4 days. Follicle development was evaluated on the basis of follicular growth, morphology and hormone production.
Results:
The percentage of follicular integrity and extrusion were not affected by the treatments after culture. For all treatments, follicular diameter increased significantly from Day 0 to Day 4. On Day 2 of culture, the estradiol production was significantly higher in AL and diluted-only FSH treatments compared with diluted/dynamised FSH. However, diluted/dynamised FSH showed a significantly higher progesterone production on Day 2. Only on Day 4, the testosterone production was higher in the AL than diluted-only FSH treatments, but similar to diluted/dynamised FSH treatment. Except for diluted/dynamised FSH treatment, progesterone production increased (P < 0.05) from Day 2 to Day 4; only for AL treatment, a significant increase of testosterone production was observed during culture.
Conclusion:
Compared to control the diluted/dynamised FSH addition increased progesterone production but decreased the estradiol production after in vitro culture of isolated porcine preantral follicles. Taken together the results suggest that at least for progesterone production the mechanism of action of diluted/dynamised FSH differs from its vehicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laritza F de Lima
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceara, Itaperi Campus, 60740-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Marcello Rubessa
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Rebeca MP Rocha
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceara, Itaperi Campus, 60740-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Rebecca Winters
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Derek J Milner
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Claudio C Campello
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceara, Itaperi Campus, 60740-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - José R Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary, State University of Ceara, Itaperi Campus, 60740-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Matthew B Wheeler
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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Hamre HJ, Pham VN, Kern C, Rau R, Klasen J, Schendel U, Gerlach L, Drabik A, Simon L. A 4-year non-randomized comparative phase-IV study of early rheumatoid arthritis: integrative anthroposophic medicine for patients with preference against DMARDs versus conventional therapy including DMARDs for patients without preference. Patient Prefer Adherence 2018; 12:375-397. [PMID: 29588576 PMCID: PMC5859899 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s145221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a mainstay of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), some patients with early RA refuse DMARDs. In anthroposophic medicine (AM), a treatment strategy for early RA without DMARDs has been developed. Preliminary data suggest that RA symptoms and inflammatory markers can be reduced under AM, without DMARDs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred and fifty-one self-selected patients aged 16-70 years, starting treatment for RA of <3 years duration, without prior DMARD therapy, participated in a prospective, non-randomized, comparative Phase IV study. C-patients were treated in clinics offering conventional therapy including DMARDs, while A-patients had chosen treatment in anthroposophic clinics, without DMARDs. Both groups received corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Primary outcomes were intensity of RA symptoms measured by self-rating on visual analog scales, C-reactive protein, radiological progression, study withdrawals, serious adverse events (SAE), and adverse drug reactions in months 0-48. RESULTS The groups were similar in most baseline characteristics, while A-patients had longer disease duration (mean 15.1 vs 10.8 months, p<0.0001), slightly more bone destruction, and a much higher proportion of women (94.6% vs 69.7%, p<0.0001). In months 0-12, corticosteroids were used by 45.7% and 81.6% (p<0.0001) and NSAIDs by 52.8% and 68.5% (p=0.0191) of A- and C-patients, respectively. During follow-up, both groups not only had marked reduction of RA symptoms and C-reactive protein, but also some radiological disease progression. Also, 6.2% of A-patients needed DMARDs. Apart from adverse drug reactions (50.4% and 69.7% of A- and C-patients, respectively, p=0.0020), none of the primary outcomes showed any significant between-group difference. CONCLUSION Study results suggest that for most patients preferring anthroposophic treatment, satisfactory results can be achieved without use of DMARDs and with less use of corticosteroids and NSAIDs than in conventional care. LIMITATION Because of the non-randomized study design, with A-patients choosing anthroposophic treatment, one cannot infer how this treatment would have worked for C-patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald J Hamre
- Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the Witten/Herdecke University, Freiburg, Germany
- Correspondence: Harald J Hamre, Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the University of Witten-Herdecke, Zechenweg 6, 79111 Freiburg, Germany, Tel +49 761 1560 307, Fax +49 761 6125 6125, Email
| | - Van N Pham
- Institute of Statistics in Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Kern
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Asklepios Westklinikum, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Rau
- Department of Rheumatology, Evangelisches Fachkrankenhaus Ratingen, Ratingen, Germany
| | - Jörn Klasen
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Asklepios Westklinikum, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Schendel
- Department of Rheumatology, m&i-Fachklinik Bad Pyrmont, Bad Pyrmont, Germany
| | - Lars Gerlach
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Attyla Drabik
- Institute of Statistics in Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ludger Simon
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany
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Whitehead M, Chambers D, Lees P, Pelligand L, Toutain PL, Whiting M. The authors of 'Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1 and 2', respond. Vet Rec 2017; 181:457-458. [PMID: 29074799 DOI: 10.1136/vr.j4914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Whitehead
- Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital, Banbury Road, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5SY
| | - Danny Chambers
- Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset BS40 5DU
| | - Peter Lees
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA
| | - Ludovic Pelligand
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA
| | | | - Martin Whiting
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA
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De Beukelaer E, Renoux H, Nicolai T, Tournier A. Veterinary homeopathy: a defence. Vet Rec 2017; 181:456-457. [PMID: 29074797 DOI: 10.1136/vr.j4691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hélène Renoux
- President, European Committee for Homeopathy, Noorwegenstraat 49, Haven 8008X, 9940 Evergem (Gent), Belgium
| | - Ton Nicolai
- EUROCAM, Rue du Trône 194, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander Tournier
- Homeopathy Research Institute, International House, 124 Cromwell Road, London SW7 4ET
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Majewsky V, Scherr C, Schneider C, Arlt SP, Baumgartner S. Reproducibility of the effects of homeopathically potentised Argentum nitricum on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomised and blinded bioassay. HOMEOPATHY 2017; 106:145-154. [PMID: 28844287 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A previous study reported a significant statistical interaction between experiment date and treatment effect of Argentum nitricum 14x-30x on the growth rate of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the stability of the test system and intra-laboratory reproducibility of the effects found. METHODS Duckweed was treated with A. nitricum potencies (14x-30x) as well as succussed and unsuccussed water controls. The outcome parameter area-related growth rate for day 0-7 was determined by a computerised image analysis system in two series of independent randomised and blinded experiments. Systematic negative control (SNC) experiments were carried out to investigate test system stability. Statistical analysis was performed with full two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and protected Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. RESULTS In the first repetition series we found a significant treatment effect (p = 0.016), while in the second series no effect was observed. The negative control experiments showed that the experimental system was stable. An a posteriori subgroup analysis concerning gibbosity revealed the importance of this growth state of L. gibba for successful reproduction of the statistically significant interaction in the original study; flat: no interaction (p = 0.762); slight gibbosity: no interaction (p = 0.356); medium gibbosity: significant interaction (p = 0.031), high gibbosity: highly significant interaction (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS With the original study design (disregarding gibbosity status of L. gibba) results of the original study could not be reproduced sensu stricto. We conclude that the growth state gibbosity is crucial for successful reproduction of the original study. Different physiological states of the test organisms used for bioassays for homeopathic basic research must carefully be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Majewsky
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27), 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Claudia Scherr
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland.
| | - Claudia Schneider
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian Patrick Arlt
- Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27), 14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Stephan Baumgartner
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland; Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany.
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Sorrentino L, Piraneo S, Riggio E, Basilicò S, Sartani A, Bossi D, Corsi F. Is there a role for homeopathy in breast cancer surgery? A first randomized clinical trial on treatment with Arnica montana to reduce post-operative seroma and bleeding in patients undergoing total mastectomy. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE RESEARCH 2017; 6:1-8. [PMID: 28163953 PMCID: PMC5289077 DOI: 10.5455/jice.20161229055245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of Arnica montana on post-operative blood loss and seroma production in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy by administering Arnica Montana 1000 Korsakovian dilution (1000 K). MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2012 to 2014, 53 women were randomly assigned to A. montana or placebo and were followed up for 5 days. The main end point was the reduction in blood and serum volumes collected in drainages. Secondary end points were duration of drainage, a self-evaluation of pain, and the presence of bruising or hematomas. RESULTS The per-protocol analysis revealed a lower mean volume of blood and serum collected in drainages with A. montana (-94.40 ml; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.48-211.28; P = 0.11). A regression model including treatment, volume collected in the drainage on the day of surgery, and patient weight showed a statistically significant difference in favor of A. montana (-106.28 ml; 95% CI: 9.45-203.11; P = 0.03). Volumes collected on the day of surgery and the following days were significantly lower with A. montana at days 2 (P = 0.033) and 3 (P = 0.0223). Secondary end points have not revealed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS A. montana 1000 K could reduce post-operative blood and seroma collection in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy. Larger studies are needed with different dilutions of A. montana to further validate these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sorrentino
- Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Piraneo
- Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Riggio
- Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Basilicò
- Surgery Division, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sartani
- Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Bossi
- Department of Surgery, Breast Unit, IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation Hospital, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Corsi
- Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Breast Unit, IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation Hospital, Pavia, Italy
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Nabarro Ferraz F, da Veiga FK, Lessa Aleixo D, Ciupa L, de Abreu Filho BA, da Silva SS, Conchon-Costa I, Pavanelli WR, de Araújo SM. Biotherapies of rabbit serum modulate the immune response and decrease parasite load in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. J Appl Biomed 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jab.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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Ultra-highly diluted plant extracts of Hydrastis canadensis and Marsdenia condurango induce epigenetic modifications and alter gene expression profiles in HeLa cells in vitro. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2016; 13:400-11. [PMID: 26559365 DOI: 10.1016/s2095-4964(15)60201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Methylation-specific epigenetic process and gene expression profiles of HeLa cells treated with ultra-high dilutions (HDs) of two plant extracts, Hydrastis canadensis (HC-30) and Marsdenia condurango (Condu-30), diluted 1060 times, were analyzed against placebo 30C (Pl-30) for alterations in gene profiles linked to epigenetic modifications. METHODS Separate groups of cells were subjected to treatment of Condu-30, HC-30, and Pl-30 prepared by serial dilutions and succussions. Global microarray data recorded on Affymetrix platform, using 25-mer probes were provided by iLifeDiscoveries, India. Slides were scanned with 3000 7G microarray scanner and raw data sets were extracted from Cel (raw intensity) files. Analyses of global microarray data profile, differential gene expression, fold change and clusters were made using GeneSpring GX12.5 software and standard normalization procedure. Before microarray study, concentration of RNA (ng/μL), RIN value and rRNA ratio for all the samples were analysed by Agilant Bioanalyzer 2100. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR were done for analyzing SMAD-4 expression. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting study was further made to elucidate fate of cells at divisional stages. Methylation-specific restriction enzyme assay was conducted for ascertaining methylation status of DNA at specific sites. RESULTS HDs of HC-30 and Condu-30 differentially altered methylation in specific regions of DNA and expression profiles of certain genes linked to carcinogenesis, as compared to Pl-30. Two separate cut sites were found in genomic DNA of untreated and placebo-treated HeLa cells when digested with McrBC, compared to a single cut observed in Condu-30-treated genomic DNA. SMAD-4 gene expression validated the expression pattern observed in microarray profile. Methylation-specific restriction enzyme assay elucidated differential epigenetic modifications in drug-treated and control cells. CONCLUSION HDs triggered epigenetic modifications and alterations in microarray gene expression profiles of many genes associated with carcinogenesis in HeLa cells in vitro.
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Replications of fundamental research models in ultra high dilutions 1994 and 2015--update on a bibliometric study. HOMEOPATHY 2015; 104:234-45. [PMID: 26678723 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This paper focuses exclusively on experimental models with ultra high dilutions (i.e. beyond 10(-23)) that have been submitted to replication scrutiny. It updates previous surveys, considers suggestions made by the research community and compares the state of replication in 1994 with that in 2015. METHODS Following literature research, biochemical, immunological, botanical, cell biological and zoological studies on ultra high dilutions (potencies) were included. Reports were grouped into initial studies, laboratory-internal, multicentre and external replications. Repetition could yield either comparable, or zero, or opposite results. The null-hypothesis was that test and control groups would not be distinguishable (zero effect). RESULTS A total of 126 studies were found. From these, 28 were initial studies. When all 98 replicative studies were considered, 70.4% (i.e. 69) reported a result comparable to that of the initial study, 20.4% (20) zero effect and 9.2% (9) an opposite result. Both for the studies until 1994 and the studies 1995-2015 the null-hypothesis (dominance of zero results) should be rejected. Furthermore, the odds of finding a comparable result are generally higher than of finding an opposite result. Although this is true for all three types of replication studies, the fraction of comparable studies diminishes from laboratory-internal (total 82.9%) to multicentre (total 75%) to external (total 48.3%), while the fraction of opposite results was 4.9%, 10.7% and 13.8%. Furthermore, it became obvious that the probability of an external replication producing comparable results is bigger for models that had already been further scrutinized by the initial researchers. CONCLUSIONS We found 28 experimental models which underwent replication. In total, 24 models were replicated with comparable results, 12 models with zero effect, and 6 models with opposite results. Five models were externally reproduced with comparable results. We encourage further replications of studies in order to learn more about the model systems used.
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Stock-Schröer B. Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research (REHBaR). HOMEOPATHY 2015; 104:333-6. [PMID: 26678739 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to develop a criteria catalogue serving as a guideline for authors to improve quality of Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research (REHBaR). Main focus was in the field of biochemical and biological experiments. So far, there was no guideline for scientists and authors available, unlike criteria catalogues common in clinical research. METHODS A Delphi Process was conducted among experts who published experimental work within the last five years in this field. The process included a total of five rounds, three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences. RESULTS A checklist of 23 items was achieved, augmented with detailed examples how to handle each item while compiling a publication. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses are necessary to be given in the part 'introduction'. The section 'materials and methods' is the most important part, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation, blinding, and statistical methods is mandatory. In the 'results' section sufficient details on analysed data, descriptive as well as inferential are needed. Moreover, authors should discuss their results and interpret them in the context of current evidence. REHBaR was compiled for authors when preparing their manuscripts, and to be used by scientific journals in the reviewing process. CONCLUSIONS Reporting experiments in basic research in homeopathy is an important issue to state the quality and validity of gained results. A guideline for REHBaR seemed to be the first step to come to a commitment what information is necessary to be given in a paper. More than that, the catalogue can serve as a statement what the standards in good basic research should be.
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Mathie RT, Frye J, Fisher P. Homeopathic Oscillococcinum® for preventing and treating influenza and influenza-like illness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 1:CD001957. [PMID: 25629583 PMCID: PMC6726585 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd001957.pub6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease that is particularly common in the winter months. Oscillococcinum® is a patented homeopathic medicine that is made from a 1% solution of wild duck heart and liver extract, which is then serially diluted 200 times with water and alcohol. OBJECTIVES To determine whether homeopathic Oscillococcinum® is more effective than placebo in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness in adults or children. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1966 to August week 4, 2014), MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (4 September 2014), AMED (2006 to September 2014), Web of Science (1985 to September 2014), LILACS (1985 to September 2014) and EMBASE (1980 to September 2014). We contacted the manufacturers of Oscillococcinum® for information on further trials. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised, placebo-controlled trials of Oscillococcinum® in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness in adults or children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias in the eligible trials. MAIN RESULTS No new trials were included in this 2014 update. We included six studies: two prophylaxis trials (327 young to middle-aged adults in Russia) and four treatment trials (1196 teenagers and adults in France and Germany). The overall standard of trial reporting was poor and hence many important methodological aspects of the trials had unclear risk of bias. There was no statistically significant difference between the effects of Oscillococcinum® and placebo in the prevention of influenza-like illness: risk ratio (RR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 1.34, P value = 0.16. Two treatment trials (judged as 'low quality') reported sufficient information to allow full data extraction: 48 hours after commencing treatment, there was an absolute risk reduction of 7.7% in the frequency of symptom relief with Oscillococcinum® compared with that of placebo (risk difference (RD) 0.077, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.12); the RR was 1.86 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.73; P value = 0.001). A significant but lesser effect was observed at three days (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.56; P value = 0.03), and no significant difference between the groups was noted at four days (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.27; P value = 0.10) or at five days (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.16; P value = 0.25). One of the six studies reported one patient who suffered an adverse effect (headache) from taking Oscillococcinum®. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient good evidence to enable robust conclusions to be made about Oscillococcinum® in the prevention or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness. Our findings do not rule out the possibility that Oscillococcinum® could have a clinically useful treatment effect but, given the low quality of the eligible studies, the evidence is not compelling. There was no evidence of clinically important harms due to Oscillococcinum®.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joyce Frye
- Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United StatesPharmacopoeia Revision CommitteeBaltimoreMarylandUSAMD 21201
| | - Peter Fisher
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine60 Great Ormond StreetLondonUKWC1N 3HR
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Majewsky V, Scherr C, Arlt SP, Kiener J, Frrokaj K, Schindler T, Klocke P, Baumgartner S. Reproducibility of effects of homeopathically potentised gibberellic acid on the growth of Lemna gibba L. in a randomised and blinded bioassay. HOMEOPATHY 2014; 103:113-26. [PMID: 24685416 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproducibility of basic research investigations in homeopathy is challenging. This study investigated if formerly observed effects of homeopathically potentised gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth of duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) were reproducible. METHODS Duckweed was grown in potencies (14x-30x) of GA3 and one time succussed and unsuccussed water controls. Outcome parameter area-related growth rate was determined by a computerised image analysis system. Three series including five independent blinded and randomised potency experiments (PE) each were carried out. System stability was controlled by three series of five systematic negative control (SNC) experiments. Gibbosity (a specific growth state of L. gibba) was investigated as possibly essential factor for reactivity of L. gibba towards potentised GA3 in one series of potency and SNC experiments, respectively. RESULTS Only in the third series with gibbous L. gibba L. we observed a significant effect (p = 0.009, F-test) of the homeopathic treatment. However, growth rate increased in contrast to the former study, and most biologically active potency levels differed. Variability in PE was lower than in SNC experiments. The stability of the experimental system was verified by the SNC experiments. CONCLUSIONS Gibbosity seems to be a necessary condition for reactivity of L. gibba to potentised GA3. Further still unknown conditions seem to govern effect direction and the pattern of active and inactive potency levels. When designing new reproducibility studies, the physiological state of the test organism must be considered. Variability might be an interesting parameter to investigate effects of homeopathic remedies in basic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Majewsky
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27, Gebäude 19), 14163 Berlin, Germany; Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland.
| | - Claudia Scherr
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Patrick Arlt
- Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65 (Haus 27, Gebäude 19), 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonas Kiener
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Kristina Frrokaj
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Schindler
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland
| | - Peter Klocke
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, Postfach, 3070 Frick, Switzerland; Bovicare GmbH, Hermannswerder Haus 14, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stephan Baumgartner
- Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Berne, Insel-Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Hiscia Institute, Society for Cancer Research, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland; Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
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Transcriptome Profiling of Wheat Seedlings following Treatment with Ultrahigh Diluted Arsenic Trioxide. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:851263. [PMID: 25525452 PMCID: PMC4265686 DOI: 10.1155/2014/851263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Plant systems are useful research tools to address basic questions in homeopathy as they make it possible to overcome some of the drawbacks encountered in clinical trials (placebo effect, ethical issues, duration of the experiment, and high costs). The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis whether 7-day-old wheat seedlings, grown from seeds either poisoned with a sublethal dose of As2O3 or unpoisoned, showed different significant gene expression profiles after the application of ultrahigh diluted As2O3 (beyond Avogadro's limit) compared to water (control). The results provided evidence for a strong gene modulating effect of ultrahigh diluted As2O3 in seedlings grown from poisoned seeds: a massive reduction of gene expression levels to values comparable to those of the control group was observed for several functional classes of genes. A plausible hypothesis is that ultrahigh diluted As2O3 treatment induced a reequilibration of those genes that were upregulated during the oxidative stress by bringing the expression levels closer to the basal levels normally occurring in the control plants.
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Bellavite P, Marzotto M, Olioso D, Moratti E, Conforti A. High-dilution effects revisited. 1. Physicochemical aspects. HOMEOPATHY 2014; 103:4-21. [PMID: 24439452 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that homeopathic high dilutions (HDs) can effectively have a pharmacological action, and so cannot be considered merely placebos. However, until now there has been no unified explanation for these observations within the dominant paradigm of the dose-response effect. Here the possible scenarios for the physicochemical nature of HDs are reviewed. A number of theoretical and experimental approaches, including quantum physics, conductometric and spectroscopic measurements, thermoluminescence, and model simulations investigated the peculiar features of diluted/succussed solutions. The heterogeneous composition of water could be affected by interactive phenomena such as coherence, epitaxy and formation of colloidal nanobubbles containing gaseous inclusions of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, silica and, possibly, the original material of the remedy. It is likely that the molecules of active substance act as nucleation centres, amplifying the formation of supramolecular structures and imparting order to the solvent. Three major models for how this happens are currently being investigated: the water clusters or clathrates, the coherent domains postulated by quantum electrodynamics, and the formation of nanoparticles from the original solute plus solvent components. Other theoretical approaches based on quantum entanglement and on fractal-type self-organization of water clusters are more speculative and hypothetical. The problem of the physicochemical nature of HDs is still far from to be clarified but current evidence strongly supports the notion that the structuring of water and its solutes at the nanoscale can play a key role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bellavite
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Marta Marzotto
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Debora Olioso
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Moratti
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Anita Conforti
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Verona, Piazza L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Application of a heterogeneous immunoassay for the quality control testing of release-active forms of diclofenac. Int Immunopharmacol 2014; 21:225-30. [PMID: 24836753 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report on a specially designed diclofenac-ELISA for the determination of diclofenac in the presence of release-active forms of diclofenac in lactose dissolved in water solutions according to a predefined schedule in single-blind experiments. In accordance with the objective of this project, a number of experiments were conducted to determine the optimal ELISA conditions for detecting potential modulatory effects of release-active forms of diclofenac depending on their ability to affect the binding of diclofenac to anti-diclofenac antibodies. As a feature, the diclofenac antibodies were previously incubated with manufactured pharmaceutical samples containing release-active forms of diclofenac or placebo. For comparison of the sample types, measured in ELISA optical densities were chosen. For statistic analysis, Student's two-sample t-test and single-factor ANOVA were applied. The extremely low concentrations of diclofenac of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 ng mL(-1) seem most appropriate for routine assay performance. The source of diclofenac used for standard solution preparation is not important but it could be important as the source of diclofenac for release active form of diclofenac preparation. As an outcome, the ELISA appeared to be suitable for the detection of the modifying effects of release-active forms of diclofenac toward the pharmaceutical substance in vitro.
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Marzotto M, Olioso D, Brizzi M, Tononi P, Cristofoletti M, Bellavite P. Extreme sensitivity of gene expression in human SH-SY5Y neurocytes to ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens. Altern Ther Health Med 2014; 14:104. [PMID: 24642002 PMCID: PMC3999908 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Gelsemium sempervirens L. (Gelsemium s.) is a traditional medicinal plant, employed as an anxiolytic at ultra-low doses and animal models recently confirmed this activity. However the mechanisms by which it might operate on the nervous system are largely unknown. This work investigates the gene expression of a human neurocyte cell line treated with increasing dilutions of Gelsemium s. extract. Methods Starting from the crude extract, six 100 × (centesimal, c) dilutions of Gelsemium s. (2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 9c and 30c) were prepared according to the French homeopathic pharmacopoeia. Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed for 24 h to test dilutions, and their transcriptome compared by microarray to that of cells treated with control vehicle solutions. Results Exposure to the Gelsemium s. 2c dilution (the highest dose employed, corresponding to a gelsemine concentration of 6.5 × 10-9 M) significantly changed the expression of 56 genes, of which 49 were down-regulated and 7 were overexpressed. Several of the down-regulated genes belonged to G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathways, calcium homeostasis, inflammatory response and neuropeptide receptors. Fisher exact test, applied to the group of 49 genes down-regulated by Gelsemium s. 2c, showed that the direction of effects was significantly maintained across the treatment with high homeopathic dilutions, even though the size of the differences was distributed in a small range. Conclusions The study shows that Gelsemium s., a medicinal plant used in traditional remedies and homeopathy, modulates a series of genes involved in neuronal function. A small, but statistically significant, response was detected even to very low doses/high dilutions (up to 30c), indicating that the human neurocyte genome is extremely sensitive to this regulation.
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Khuda-Bukhsh AR. Current trends in high dilution research with particular reference to gene regulatory hypothesis. THE NUCLEUS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-014-0105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Bellavite P, Marzotto M, Olioso D, Moratti E, Conforti A. High-dilution effects revisited. 2. Pharmacodynamic mechanisms. HOMEOPATHY 2014; 103:22-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Arora S, Aggarwal A, Singla P, Jyoti S, Tandon S. Anti-proliferative effects of homeopathic medicines on human kidney, colon and breast cancer cells. HOMEOPATHY 2013; 102:274-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Rutten L, Mathie RT, Fisher P, Goossens M, van Wassenhoven M. Plausibility and evidence: the case of homeopathy. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2013; 16:525-532. [PMID: 22539134 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-012-9413-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Homeopathy is controversial and hotly debated. The conclusions of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials of homeopathy vary from 'comparable to conventional medicine' to 'no evidence of effects beyond placebo'. It is claimed that homeopathy conflicts with scientific laws and that homoeopaths reject the naturalistic outlook, but no evidence has been cited. We are homeopathic physicians and researchers who do not reject the scientific outlook; we believe that examination of the prior beliefs underlying this enduring stand-off can advance the debate. We show that interpretations of the same set of evidence--for homeopathy and for conventional medicine--can diverge. Prior disbelief in homeopathy is rooted in the perceived implausibility of any conceivable mechanism of action. Using the 'crossword analogy', we demonstrate that plausibility bias impedes assessment of the clinical evidence. Sweeping statements about the scientific impossibility of homeopathy are themselves unscientific: scientific statements must be precise and testable. There is growing evidence that homeopathic preparations can exert biological effects; due consideration of such research would reduce the influence of prior beliefs on the assessment of systematic review evidence.
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Lenger K, Bajpai RP, Spielmann M. Identification of unknown homeopathic remedies by delayed luminescence. Cell Biochem Biophys 2013; 68:321-34. [PMID: 23872840 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-013-9712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A quality control method of highly diluted and potentized homeopathic remedies is important for curing patients applying homeopathic therapy. Lenger detected photons in highly potentized homeopathic remedies by delayed luminescence. The photons of Argentum metallicum 100MK and Cantharis 100MK magnetically bound to their carrier substances ethanol or saccharose were separated by their resonating magnetic field of about 2.06 MHz. The photons of these 100MK potency levels and of their reference substances were determined to be standard values calculated by the B2-values of Bajpai's equation derived from the Hamiltonian equation. The stability of ethanolic Argentum metallicum 100MK and Cantharis 100MK declined to 1/3 of their photons within a month in contrast to saccharose globules with Argentum metallicum 100MK having been stable during the period of these investigations for almost 1 year. Some remedies delivered as CMK potency had been proved to be ethanol. The testing amount of high ethanolic potencies is limited to 40 μl because 80 μl resulted in an attenuation of the photons; 40 μl equal 16 medicated saccharose globules. Six unknown homeopathic remedies could be identified as increasing potency levels of Argentum metallicum from 100MK to 1.000MK which indicates a calibration curve. The homeopathic factories having sent the unknown remedies confirmed the measurements. A quality control of homeopathic remedies is possible by comparing the different B2-values of the remedies and their carrier substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Lenger
- Institute for Scientific Homeopathy, Kaiserstr. 28, 63065, Offenbach, Germany,
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Demangeat JL. Nanosized solvent superstructures in ultramolecular aqueous dilutions: twenty years' research using water proton NMR relaxation. HOMEOPATHY 2013; 102:87-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Khuda-Bukhsh AR, Pathak S. Homeopathic drug discovery: theory update and methodological aspect. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 3:979-90. [PMID: 23484971 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.3.8.979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homeopathy treats patient on the basis of totality of symptoms and is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. It uses ultra-low doses of highly diluted natural substances as remedies that originate from plants, minerals or animals. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this review are to discuss concepts, controversies and research related to understanding homeopathy in the light of modern science. METHODS Attempts have been made to focus on current views of homeopathy and to delineate its most plausible mechanism(s) of action. RESULTS Although some areas of concern remain, research carried out so far both in vitro and in vivo validates the effects of highly diluted homeopathic medicines in a wide variety of organisms. CONCLUSION The precise mechanism(s) and pathway(s) of action of highly diluted homeopathic drugs are still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh
- University of Kalyani, Department of Zoology, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Kalyani-741235, India +91 33 25828768 ; +91 33 25828282 ;
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Letters to the Editor. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 242:307. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.3.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Differences in Median Ultraviolet Light Transmissions of Serial Homeopathic Dilutions of Copper Sulfate, Hypericum perforatum, and Sulfur. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:370609. [PMID: 23401712 PMCID: PMC3562573 DOI: 10.1155/2013/370609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Homeopathic remedies are produced by potentising, that is, the serial logarithmic dilution and succussion of a mother tincture. Techniques like ultraviolet spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, calorimetry, or thermoluminescence have been used to investigate their physical properties. In this study, homeopathic centesimal (c) potencies (6c to 30c) of copper sulfate, Hypericum perforatum, and sulfur as well as succussed water controls were prepared. Samples of these preparations were exposed to external physical factors like heat, pressure, ultraviolet radiation, or electromagnetic fields to mimic possible everyday storage conditions. The median transmissions from 190 nm to 340 nm and 220 nm to 340 nm were determined by ultraviolet light spectroscopy on five measurement days distributed over several months. Transmissions of controls and potencies of sulfur differed significantly on two of five measurement days and after exposure to physical factors. Transmissions of potencies exposed to ultraviolet light and unexposed potencies of copper sulfate and Hypericum perforatum differed significantly. Potency levels 6c to 30c were also compared, and wavelike patterns of higher and lower transmissions were found. The Kruskal-Wallis test yielded significant differences for the potency levels of all three substances. Aiming at understanding the physical properties of homeopathic preparations, this study confirmed and expanded the findings of previous studies.
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Siqueira CM, Costa B, Amorim AM, Gonçalves M, Féo da Veiga V, Castelo-Branco M, Takyia C, Zancan P, Câmara FP, Couceiro JN, Holandino C. H3N2 homeopathic influenza virus solution modifies cellular and biochemical aspects of MDCK and J774G8 cell lines. HOMEOPATHY 2013; 102:31-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Mathie RT, Frye J, Fisher P. Homeopathic Oscillococcinum(®) for preventing and treating influenza and influenza-like illness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 12:CD001957. [PMID: 23235586 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd001957.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease that is particularly common in the winter months. Oscillococcinum(®) is a patented homeopathic medicine that is made from a 1% solution of wild duck heart and liver extract, which is then serially diluted 200 times with water and alcohol. OBJECTIVES To determine whether homeopathic Oscillococcinum(®) is more effective than placebo in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness in adults or children. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (2012, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1966 to July week 4, 2012), MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (6 August 2012), AMED (2006 to August 2012), Web of Science (1985 to August 2012), LILACS (1985 to August 2012) and EMBASE (1980 to August 2012). We contacted the manufacturers of Oscillococcinum(®) for information of more trials. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised, placebo-controlled trials of Oscillococcinum(®) in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness in adults or children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias in the eligible trials. MAIN RESULTS We included six studies: two prophylaxis trials (327 young to middle-aged adults in Russia) and four treatment trials (1196 teenagers and adults in France and Germany). The overall standard of trial reporting was poor and hence many important methodological aspects of the trials had unclear risk of bias. There was no statistically significant difference between the effects of Oscillococcinum(®) and placebo in the prevention of influenza-like illness: risk ratio (RR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 1.34, P = 0.16. Two treatment trials (judged as 'low quality') reported sufficient information to allow full data extraction: 48 hours after commencing treatment, there was an absolute risk reduction of 7.7% in the frequency of symptom relief with Oscillococcinum(®) compared with that of placebo (risk difference (RD) 0.077; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.12); the RR was 1.86 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.73; P = 0.001). A significant but lesser effect was observed at three days (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.56; P = 0.03), and no significant difference between the groups was noted at four days (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.27; P = 0.10) or at five days (RR 1.06; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.16; P = 0.25). One of the six studies reported one patient who suffered an adverse effect (headache) from taking Oscillococcinum(®). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient good evidence to enable robust conclusions to be made about Oscillococcinum(®) in the prevention or treatment of influenza and influenza-like illness. Our findings do not rule out the possibility that Oscillococcinum(®) could have a clinically useful treatment effect but, given the low quality of the eligible studies, the evidence is not compelling. There was no evidence of clinically important harms due to Oscillococcinum(®).
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Patel DR, Ansari IA, Kachchhi YN, Patel RB, Patil KR, Jadhav RB, Patil CR. Toxicodendron pubescens retains its anti-arthritic efficacy at 1M, 10M and CM homeopathic dilutions. HOMEOPATHY 2012; 101:165-70. [PMID: 22818234 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our previous studies of Toxicodendron pubescens (Rhus tox) in homeopathic dilutions have shown anti-inflammatory activity in line with the principle of similia. The present study aimed to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity in 1M, 10M and CM dilutions in rats. METHOD Arthritis was induced by subplantar injection of 0.1 ml of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) in the right hind paws of rats. The severity of inflammatory lesions was measured plethysmometrically on 21st day post CFA injection. The intensity of pain was measured using digital Von Frey apparatus. Other estimations included serum C-reactive protein (CRP), hematological parameters, body weight changes, arthritic pain score and radiological analysis of the arthritic paws. RESULT The 1M, 10M and CM homeopathic dilutions of Rhus tox reduced primary and secondary arthritic lesions, improved body weight gain and protected rats against CFA-induced hematological and radiological perturbations. A significant reduction in the serum levels of CRP and an improvement in pain threshold of injected paws was observed in the groups treated with the Rhus tox dilutions. CONCLUSION The anti-arthritic potential of Rhus tox is retained at 1M, 10M and CM dilutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanraj Ramanlal Patel
- R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Karvand Naka, Shirpur, Dist-Dhule 425405, Maharashtra, India
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Milgrom LR. Toward a topological description of the therapeutic process: part 2. Practitioner and patient perspectives of the "journey to cure". J Altern Complement Med 2012; 18:187-99. [PMID: 22339107 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2011.0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discourse of quantum theory has been used to describe (1) the homeopathic therapeutic process (in terms of three-way macro-entanglement between patient, practitioner, and remedy, called PPR entanglement), and (2) the homeopathic concept of the vital force. METHODS Combining these two approaches leads to a semiotic (i.e., pertaining to the theory of sign systems in language) geometry that illustrates the nature of this entanglement and how it could facilitate the patient's journey to cure. Here, this geometry is extended further to gain insight into both practitioner and patient perspectives of the process. RESULTS From the practitioner's perspective, the semiotic geometry predicts PPR entanglement, generating a number of distinguishable therapeutic outcomes that depend on the various patient-, disease-, and remedy-based "contributions" to the overall symptom picture of the remedy arrived at holistically. Furthermore, these outcomes may be seen as different facets of a more generalized PPR entangled state whose semiotic geometrical representation is hyperdimensional. Likewise, the patient's perspective of the journey to cure can also be represented semiotically, this time as a series of cross-sections through a hyperdimensional figure of similar symmetry, entering and leaving the patient's notional "dis-ease" space. CONCLUSIONS The semiotic geometries representing practitioner and patient experiences of the therapeutic process ultimately converge. Where they differ is that in elaborating the patient's journey to cure, the practitioner's perspective may be seen as from the outside of a whole process. As it is the patient who ultimately is traveling this journey, the patient's perspective is necessarily from the inside, of stages or cross-sections of the whole process.
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Hostanska K, Rostock M, Melzer J, Baumgartner S, Saller R. A homeopathic remedy from arnica, marigold, St. John's wort and comfrey accelerates in vitro wound scratch closure of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 12:100. [PMID: 22809174 PMCID: PMC3565897 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. METHODS We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712-2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712-1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712-3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined "wound field". All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. RESULTS None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712-2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712-1) at 1:100 dilutions (p < 0.001). Unsuccussed solvent (0712-3) had no influence on cell migration (6.3%; p > 0.05). Preparation (0712-2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p < 0.001) from succussed solvent (0712-1), which caused 22.1% wound closure. CONCLUSION Results of this study showed that the low potency homeopathic remedy (0712-2) exerted in vitro wound closure potential in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect resulted from stimulation of fibroblasts motility rather than of their mitosis.
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Testing homeopathy in mouse emotional response models: pooled data analysis of two series of studies. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:954374. [PMID: 22548123 PMCID: PMC3324905 DOI: 10.1155/2012/954374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Two previous investigations were performed to assess the activity of Gelsemium sempervirens (Gelsemium s.) in mice, using emotional response models. These two series are pooled and analysed here. Gelsemium s. in various homeopathic centesimal dilutions/dynamizations (4C, 5C, 7C, 9C, and 30C), a placebo (solvent vehicle), and the reference drugs diazepam (1 mg/kg body weight) or buspirone (5 mg/kg body weight) were delivered intraperitoneally to groups of albino CD1 mice, and their effects on animal behaviour were assessed by the light-dark (LD) choice test and the open-field (OF) exploration test. Up to 14 separate replications were carried out in fully blind and randomised conditions. Pooled analysis demonstrated highly significant effects of Gelsemium s. 5C, 7C, and 30C on the OF parameter “time spent in central area” and of Gelsemium s. 5C, 9C, and 30C on the LD parameters “time spent in lit area” and “number of light-dark transitions,” without any sedative action or adverse effects on locomotion. This pooled data analysis confirms and reinforces the evidence that Gelsemium s. regulates emotional responses and behaviour of laboratory mice in a nonlinear fashion with dilution/dynamization.
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Johnson C. Hallowed by History, But Not by Facts: “Evidence-Based” Assessments of Homeopathy. J Altern Complement Med 2012; 18:311-2. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2012.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Therapeutic effect of Arsenicum album on leukocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:3979-3987. [PMID: 22489193 PMCID: PMC3317753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13033979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic effects of homoeopathic Arsenicum album potencies were investigated in-vitro, using a continuous cell line (MT4), pre-intoxicated with arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)), and then treated with succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies, 6CH, 30CH and 200CH. This study aimed to verify the homoeopathic law of similars and to determine whether potencies diluted beyond Avogadro's constant had physiological effects on cells; whether various potencies would cause different effects as suggested by the concept of hormesis; whether succussed and unsuccussed homoeopathic potencies had different effects on the cells; and to establish whether a biotechnological method could be used to evaluate the above. As(2)O(3) was used to pre-intoxicate and the MTT assay was used to measure the percentage cytotoxicity and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of the cells. The homoeopathic potencies of Arsenicum album (6CH, 30CH and 200CH) were prepared by either succussing or allowing to diffuse for 30 s. After pre-intoxication of the MT4 cells with the IC(50) As(2)O(3) and treatment with succussed and unsuccussed Arsenicum album (6CH-200CH), the cell viability increased with increasing potency from 81% to 194% (over 72 h). The treatments and the times of exposure were found to be statistically significant determinants of cell viability, whereas succussion did not cause any significant variation in the results. The study provided evidence that a biotechnological method (namely cell viability) may be used to scientifically evaluate the physiological effects of homoeopathic potencies on human cells; it confirmed that the homoeopathic potencies did have therapeutic effects; and that succussion was not required in the potentization method in order to produce a curative remedy.
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Sarter B, Banerji P, Banerji P. Successful Treatment of Chronic Viral Hepatitis with High-dilution Medicine. Glob Adv Health Med 2012; 1:26-9. [PMID: 24278798 PMCID: PMC3833483 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2012.1.1.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Two cases of viral hepatitis that had failed conventional therapy are presented. Both were subsequently treated with protocols using homeopathic medicines as detailed below. Both patients sustained remissions for 2 years after taking ultradilute natural medicines after their conventional treatment had been discontinued. Methods: The treatment protocol included Chelidonium majus 6X and Thuja 30C as the main medicines. Other homeopathic medicines were used as detailed below. Cases were confirmed with standard hepatitis antibody and viral measurements. Patients were followed for more than 2 years with measurements of viral counts, liver enzymes, and other relevant biomarkers of liver disease. Results: Both patients are alive and functioning normally in their home environments more than 2 years after treatment initiation. Discussion: We review the literature related to the chief medicines used in these cases and find that they have known and demonstrated therapeutic effects suggesting plausible mechanisms of action in these cases. Conclusions: Clinical trials of this homeopathic treatment protocol should be conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of these medicines for treatment of viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Sarter
- Hahn School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of San Diego, California
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Effects of Ignatia amara in mouse behavioural models. HOMEOPATHY 2012; 101:57-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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The feasibility of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to compare usual care with usual care plus individualised homeopathy, in children requiring secondary care for asthma. HOMEOPATHY 2011; 100:122-30. [PMID: 21784328 DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the feasibility of a pragmatic trial design with economic evaluation and nested qualitative study, comparing usual care (UC) with UC plus individualised homeopathy, in children requiring secondary care for asthma. This included recruitment and retention, acceptability of outcome measures patients' and health professionals' views and experiences and a power calculation for a definitive trial. METHODS In a pragmatic parallel group randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, children on step 2 or above of the British Thoracic Society Asthma Guidelines (BTG) were randomly allocated to UC or UC plus a five visit package of homeopathic care (HC). Outcome measures included the Juniper Asthma Control Questionnaire, Quality of Life Questionnaire and a resource use questionnaire. Qualitative interviews were used to gain families' and health professionals' views and experiences. RESULTS 226 children were identified from hospital clinics and related patient databases. 67 showed an interest in participating, 39 children were randomised, 18 to HC and 21 to UC. Evidence in favour of adjunctive homeopathic treatment was lacking. Economic evaluation suggests that the cost of additional consultations was not offset by the reduced cost of homeopathic remedies and the lower use of primary care by children in the homeopathic group. Qualitative data gave insights into the differing perspectives of families and health care professionals within the research process. CONCLUSIONS A future study using this design is not feasible, further investigation of a potential role for homeopathy in asthma management might be better conducted in primary care with children with less severe asthma.
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Betti L, Elia V, Napoli E, Trebbi G, Zurla M, Nani D, Peruzzi M, Brizzi M. Biological effects and physico-chemical properties of extremely diluted aqueous solutions as a function of aging-time. FRONTIERS IN LIFE SCIENCE 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/21553769.2011.638986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Stanley
- Department of Pathology, Maine Medical Center, Nobleboro, Maine, USA.
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The effect of extremely diluted agitated gibberellic acid (10e−30) on wheat stalk growth—A two researcher pilot study. Complement Ther Med 2011; 19:164-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2008] [Revised: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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