Hasil untuk "Homeopathy"

Ebenezer Kwesi Biney, Akwasi Oppong, Kwabena Gyampo-Asare et al.

Abstract Background This study investigates the anticonvulsant properties of Aframomum melegueta in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in rats, emphasizing on its effects on the gut-brain axis, inflammatory pathways, and metabolomic profiles. Given the established links between the brain and gut through bidirectional communication and their collective role in epilepsy pathophysiology, this research aims to explore the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) in modulating these interactions. Results PTZ (40 mg/kg) was given to rats to induce kindling. Animals also, underwent chronic drug treatments of AM and sodium valproate (VPA) which were administered during the induction of kindling. Animals were observed for stages of seizure development. Inflammatory mediators, neurotransmitters, and cortisol concentration were assessed in the brain and serum of the rats post-kindling using NMR-based metabolomics and ELISA assays. Findings suggest that seizures were less severe and less frequent in Aframomum melegueta treated rats. Pretreatment with AM at doses, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg delayed the effect of PTZ on seizure development (P < 0.05). AM treatment also reversed neuroinflammatory changes by lowering (p < 0.0001) IL-6 and TNF-α levels. In addition, metabolomic profiling established that Aframomum melegueta affected neurotransmitter synthesis of glutamate as well as serotonin, acetate, propionate and cortisol, similar to what was observed in VPA (p < 0.05). Conclusion Therefore, the findings of the present study suggest that AM may be useful in the management of epilepsy through its influence on the brain-gut axis and by suppressing inflammation and other metabolic processes in PTZ-induced kindling.

Ahmed Hossain, Anika Tasneem Chowdhury, Masum Mahbub et al.

<h4>Background</h4>Bangladesh's islands, because of their geographical location, frequently encounter crises like floods and river erosion, which pose significant threats to the residents' well-being and livelihoods. To delve into the effects of these disasters on livelihood and healthcare challenges, a mixed-method study was undertaken in a riverine-island near a major river of Bangladesh.<h4>Methodology</h4>Between February 15th and February 28th, 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted on an island in Bangladesh. The quantitative method involved conducting a survey of 442 households, with a total of 2921 participants. Additionally, 10 in-depth interviews and 10 key-informant interviews were conducted using semi-structured guidelines. Qualitative interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Triangulation was employed in this study through the integration of qualitative and quantitative analysis, resulting in the presentation of findings that offer an in-depth comprehension of the phenomenon being investigated.<h4>Results</h4>River erosions and floods are common and recurring natural disasters that significantly impact the lives of the riverine island inhabitants. These disasters often disrupted their livelihoods, forced many residents to endure substandard living conditions or relocated during flood events. The island faced a low diagnostic prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., 5.1% of adults were hypertension and 2.5% are diabetes) because of the absence of diagnostic facilities and a shortage of certified doctors. A significant number of chronic illness people in the community turned to alternative medicine sources (39.3%) such as homeopathy, Kabiraj, and Ayurvedic medicine, especially it gets increased during periods of natural disasters. Moreover, reproductive aged women revealed that 79.4% of them gave birth at home, with 6.0% of these home deliveries resulting in miscarriage or infant death. The destruction of crops, unstable job opportunities, an inadequate educational system, and a deficient healthcare delivery system exacerbated the hardships faced by the population affected by these disasters.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The failure to seek treatment for chronic diseases and undiagnosed diseases is a significant health issue among the aging adults on the island. Island residents face the challenge of establishing effective prevention strategies for the well-being of older adults especially at the period of natural disasters. It is crucial for the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to collaborate to prevent the negative effects of floods and river erosions. This should include efforts to enhance the quality of education, healthcare services, job opportunities, and financial assistance for rebuilding homes.

Mohini D. Shinde, Sheetal A. Patil, Anupam Mukherjee et al.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type-1 and type-2 cause a viral disease named Herpes. Genital herpes is mainly caused by HSV-2 with symptoms of painful and itchy blisters on the vagina, cervix, buttocks, anus, penis, or inner thighs with blisters that rupture and convert into sores. The homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox has been widely used to treat herpes and has shown in vitro anti-inflammatory effects in previous studies. Purpose: The presented review focuses on relapses and harmful effects caused by acyclovir in modern medicine and the probable antiherpetic activity of Rhus Tox on HSV infection based on its pathophysiology, preclinical findings, on primary cultured mouse chondrocytes, mouse cell line MC3T3e1 and a comparative study of Natrum Mur with Rhus Tox on HSV infection. Study design: The design of the study focuses mainly on the descriptive data available in various literature articles. Method: Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline and ScienceDirect were used to search the articles. Articles are selected from 1994 to 2022 focusing solely on the competence of Rhus Tox against herpes. Keywords used for the study are antiviral, Herpes, Rhus Tox, in vitro and homeopathy. Results: The review includes fifteen articles, including 4 full-text articles on HSV, 6 in vitro studies of homeopathic compounds performed on the herpes virus, and 5 articles based on the pathophysiology and effects of Rhus tox. The review article proposes the anti-inflammatory and antiviral action of the homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox which can be used in crisis conditions when the physician doubts the simillimum, as it prevents further outbreaks of HSV infection. Conclusion: The homeopathic medicine Rhus Tox has no cytotoxicity observed under in vitro conditions and can be used to treat herpes infection. Further studies are needed to confirm the results under in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as in clinical trials.

Akindele Oluwatosin Adeyi, Folasade Ajoke Adams, Clementina Oyinkansola Adenipekun

Abstract Background Pleurotus tuber-regium (P.T) is an edible mushroom with abundant polysaccharides that has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the hypoglycaemic potential and ameliorative activity of Pleurotus tuber-regium incorporated diet on diabetes induced dyslipidaemia. Materials and methods Thirty five (35) adult male wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups; Normal control, diabetic control, obese control, obese diabetic control, 10% PT, 20% PT, and Drug control. Type II DM was induced by placing the animals on high fat diet for a period of 10 weeks and a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg/BW). P. T was incorporated into the feed and given to the animals for two weeks daily after the confirmation of diabetes. Results Treatment of the obese diabetic rats with P. T supplemented diet caused a decrease in the blood glucose level compared to the control groups. Increased organo-somatic ratio of the kidney and heart were markedly (p < 0.05) reduced following treatment (20% P.T). Furthermore, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels were reduced due to treatment accompanied by increased HDL-C in the liver. Histological evaluation of the liver, kidney, heart, and pancreas of the P. T treated groups were comparable to normal. Conclusion Incorporation of P. tuber-regium in diets could be effective in reversing dyslipidaemia in obese diabetic patients.

Patricia de Souza de Aguiar, Áurea Pandolfo Correa, Flavia Tasmin Techera Antunes et al.

Abstract The plant Stryphnodendron adstringens is a species of legume in the genus Stryphnodendron that is found in Brazil. It is also known as “barbatimão-verdadeiro” and it is popularly used in folk medicine due to its healing properties. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing activity of hydrogel, together with an S. adstringens hydroalcoholic extract, in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the S. adstringens hydroalcoholic extract was evaluated through HPLC and its antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH assay. The cytotoxicity, the scratch assay, and the fibroblast cell proliferation were also evaluated. Forty (40) Wistar rats were submitted to an excision for a full-thickness wound of 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm in their dorsum. The animals were treated twice a day over 16 days, with a rich layer of the corresponding treatment: Hydrogel; Hydrogel associated with 5% S. adstringens hydroalcoholic extract (H + SAHE); S. adstringens hydroalcoholic extract (SAHE); Collagenase with Chloramphenicol; or Carbopol. Morphological and histological analyses of the injury were performed. Results: The phytochemical analysis of SAHE indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids. The hydroalcoholic extract showed strong antioxidant activities (IC50 = 25.56 ± 1.04 μg/mL). H + SAHE induced the fibroblast proliferation (148 ± 6.9%) and it was not cytotoxic. The association with H + SAHE showed a more pronounced healing activity than did the other treatments in the non-diabetic animals and in the diabetic animals, hence, promoting angiogenesis and reepithelialization. Conclusion: Under these scenarios, this study has demonstrated effectiveness in the recovering wounds of diabetic rats. Graphical abstract

Shirajum Munira, Luthfun Nesa, Md. Siddiqul Islam et al.

Abstract Background Various parts i.e., stem bark, leaf, root and flower of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser has been extensively used by traditional practitioners to treat all types of diabetes. Our present study investigated the antidiabetic property of the extract from its flower and evaluated its traditional use for diabetes. Results Phenolic contents were found to be higher in the methanol soluble fraction (MESF) (228.16 ± 0.32 GAE/g of sample) while flavonoids were greater in quantity in the chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) (291 ± 5.99 QE/g of sample). The MESF showed the highest free radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitory potential with IC50 value of 30.52 ± 2.40 and 6.26 ± 0.82 μg/mL respectively and both the values were promising when compared to the individual standards. Highest reduction of blood glucose level were observed when the N. cadamba flower extract (NCFE) were given (not in combination with metformin) orally for 2 weeks. NMCE at 500 mg/kg resulted 60.2% (p < 0.05) reduction of blood glucose in the diabetic group, comparable with the effect of standard metformin (68.4%). Gain in body weight were also observed in the test groups indicating an overall improvement of health in the diabetic rats. Conclusions The extract of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) flower is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds attributing to its potent in vitro antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory potential. Oral administration of NCFE also resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent reduction of blood glucose level in diabetic rats, while no synergistic activity was observed when it was given in combination with metformin. These findings imply the possible pharmacological mechanisms behind the antidiabetic property of NCFE could be: inhibition of α-amylase and delaying the absorption of glucose from the intestine, secondly possessing ‘metformin like’ activity such as increasing cellular uptake and glycolysis of glucose, reducing gluconeogenesis in the liver etc. This study also for the first time provides scientific evidence in favor of the traditional use N. cadamba flower against diabetes and demands future study in order to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for such bioactivities.

Ronia Mostofa, Rayhana Begum, Hongbin Wang et al.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Anawara Begum, Purobee Biswas, Shahed Al-Mahmud

Abstract Background Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) is a very common plant in Bangladesh which is locally called “Rudrapalash”. In Nigeria leaves extract of S. campanulata has a reputation of being used as an anticonvulsant. In this connection, the aim of this study was to investigate other neuropharmacological effects like sedative and anxiolytic activities of methanol extract of S. campanulata (MESC) leaves in different mice tests. Methods To assay sedative activity mice were subjected to open field and hole-cross test, whereas anxiolytic activity was checked by the elevated-plus maze, light-dark box, and hole-board test. For each test, mice were divided into control group (deionized water, 0.1 ml/mouse, p.o.), standard group (diazepam, 1 mg/kg, i.p) and three test groups (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg MESC, p.o.). The acute toxicity test and phytochemical screening of MESC were performed before the pharmacological study. Results The result demonstrated strong sedative and anxiolytic activity of MESC in a dose-dependent manner. All doses of MESC (200, 400 & 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of (square & hole) crossed by mice in both open field and hole cross tests (p < 0.001). On the other hand, in elevated plus-maze and light-dark box test mice opted to stay more in open arms and light box instead of close arms and dark box (p < 0.001). In hole-board test MESC (200, 400 & 600 mg/kg) elevated the number of head dipping (p < 0.001) dose-dependently. Phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponin, glycoside, carbohydrate, flavonoid, and tannin in MESC. Conclusion The experimental results explicit that S. campanulata leaves possess sedative and anxiolytic activities, hence suggest further chemical investigation to identify specific phytoconstituents responsible for sedative and anxiolytic effects.

R. Mathie, Susanne Ulbrich-Zürni, P. Viksveen et al.

Abstract Background This study focuses on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of individualised homeopathic treatment (IHT) in which the control (comparator) group was other than placebo (OTP). Aims To determine the comparative effectiveness of IHT on health-related outcomes in adults and children for any clinical condition that has been the subject of at least one OTP-controlled trial. For each study, to assess the risk of bias and to determine whether its study attitude was predominantly ‘pragmatic’ or ‘explanatory’. Methods Systematic review. For each eligible trial, published in the peer-reviewed literature up to the end of 2015, we assessed its risk of bias (internal validity) using the seven-domain Cochrane tool, and its relative pragmatic or explanatory attitude (external validity) using the 10-domain PRECIS tool. We grouped RCTs by whether they examined IHT as an alternative treatment (study design Ia), adjunctively with another intervention (design Ib), or compared with a no-intervention group (design II). For each RCT, we identified a ‘main outcome measure’ to use in meta-analysis: ‘relative effect size’ was reported as odds ratio (OR; values >1 favouring homeopathy) or standardised mean difference (SMD; values < 0 favouring homeopathy). Results Eleven RCTs, representing 11 different medical conditions, were eligible for study. Five of the RCTs (four of which in design Ib) were judged to have pragmatic study attitude, two were explanatory, and four were equally pragmatic and explanatory. Ten trials were rated ‘high risk of bias’ overall: one of these, a pragmatic study with design Ib, had high risk of bias solely regarding participant blinding (a bias that is intrinsic to such trials); the other trial was rated ‘uncertain risk of bias’ overall. Eight trials had data that were extractable for analysis: for four heterogeneous trials with design Ia, the pooled OR was statistically non-significant; collectively for three clinically heterogeneous trials with design Ib, there was a statistically significant SMD favouring adjunctive IHT; in the remaining trial of design 1a, IHT was non-inferior to fluoxetine in the treatment of depression. Conclusions Due to the low quality, the small number and the heterogeneity of studies, the current data preclude a decisive conclusion about the comparative effectiveness of IHT. Generalisability of findings is limited by the variable external validity identified overall; the most pragmatic study attitude was associated with RCTs of adjunctive IHT. Future OTP-controlled trials in homeopathy should aim, as far as possible, to promote both internal validity and external validity.

Tafere Mulaw MSc, Muluken Wubetu MSc, Bekalu Dessie MSc et al.

Background. People are dependent on the traditional use of medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria without scientific validations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of methanolic stem bark extract of Combretum molle in mice. Methods. After being infected with Plasmodium berghei , the mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 5). In all cases, group I mice were treated as negative control and received 3% Tween 80; group II mice were treated with 25 mg/kg chloroquine; and groups III, IV, and V mice were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of crude extract, respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Results. In the chemosuppressive test, the parasitic suppression effect of the crude extract was found to be significant ( P < 0.05) as compared with the negative control. In the curative experiment, the average parasitic level of those mice treated by the 3 doses of the crude extract was significantly suppressed at days 5, 6, and 7 of treatment ( P < 0.001). Besides, the crude extract had been found to have a chemoprophylactic role as it inhibited the parasite level significantly relative to the negative control ( P < 0.001). Moreover, the crude extract had preventive effects on packed cell volume reduction in the 3 tests ( P < 0.001). Conclusions. The findings of the present study has supported the folklore use of the leaves of Combretum molle in the treatment of malaria. Therefore, further fractionation and characterization of the crude extract is necessary to identify the responsible lead compound(s) responsible for antiplasmodial activity.

Olivier Faure

Before and after the great Revolution, mesmerism, acupuncture, phrenology, homeopathy, most of them being born in Germanic area, were introduced in France where they attracted great attention in the public sphere. In the 1830’s, the advocates created a movement, a nebulous one in which doctors or lay people involved themselves a lot in two or three medical systems at the same time. Most of them were also supporters of the new socialist doctrines such as saint-simonism or fourierism. At the beginning, the medical authorities together with prominent doctors paid attention to these theories but the majority of the medical profession rejected them. The main objection was not their inefficiency but their inability to explain in scientific terms how their therapies worked.

Smitha Lamiya Rasquinha

J. Guedes, L. Bonamin, V. Capelozzi

A. Miglani, Lex Rutten, R. Manchanda

F. Ebert, R. Staufenbiel, Julia F Simons et al.

K. To, Y. Fok, K. C. Chong et al.

Objective: Glycaemic goals are not achieved in most patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in those with long disease duration and taking multiple oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD). We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in glycaemic control. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: At least 6 months of individualized homeopathic treatment at a private homeopathic centre in Hong Kong. Participants: Twenty-seven adults aged 37–84 years were treated with individualized homeopathic remedies between 2012 and 2015. Published data on 40 T2DM patients under standard conventional treatment in Hong Kong were used as a control. Main outcome measure: Change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) at 12-month or the last follow-up, whichever is earlier. Results: Compared with the conventional treatment only group, the homeopathy group had higher baseline FPG (p = 0.044), and more patients had a long (>20 years) duration of diabetes (p = 0.006), and a history of cardiac events (p = 0.022). The mean difference in FPG in the homeopathy group was significantly greater than in the control after 12 months: −2.24 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.47 to −1.01) vs 0.16 mmol/L (95% CI: −1.72 to 2.04), p = 0.001. The mean difference in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was also significantly greater, −1.11% (95% CI: −2.17 to −0.05) vs 0.08% (95% CI: −1.37 to 1.53), p = 0.046. Poorer baseline glycaemic control was associated with better outcome (r = −0.750, p < 0.001), but not the duration of diabetes (r = 0.058, p = 0.772). The improvement was robust to sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: Individualized homeopathic treatment was associated with better glycaemic control compared with standard conventional treatment alone.

P. Bellavite, A. Signorini, M. Marzotto et al.

It has been claimed that the homeopathic principle of ‘similarity’ (or ‘similia’) and the use of individualized remedies in extremely low doses conflicts with scientific laws, but this opinion can be disputed on the basis of recent scientific advances. Several mechanisms to explain the responsiveness of cells to ultra-low doses and the similarity as inversion of drug effects, have again been suggested in the framework of hormesis and modern paradoxical pharmacology. Low doses or high dilutions of a drug interact only with the enhanced sensitivities of regulatory systems, functioning as minute harmful stimuli to trigger specific compensatory healing reactions. Here we review hypotheses about homeopathic drug action at cellular and molecular levels, and present a new conceptual model of the principle of similarity based on allosteric drug action. While many common drugs act through orthostatic chemical interactions aimed at blocking undesired activities of enzymes or receptors, allosteric interactions are associated with dynamic conformational changes and functional transitions in target proteins, which enhance or inhibit specific cellular actions in normal or disease states. The concept of allostery and the way it controls physiological activities can be broadened to include diluted/dynamized compounds, and may constitute a working hypothesis for the study of molecular mechanisms underlying the inversion of drug effects.

Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa MBChB, MSc

In recent years viral respiratory tract infections, especially influenza viruses, have had a major impact on communities worldwide as a result of unavailability of effective treatment or vaccine. The frequent alterations in the antigenic structures of respiratory viruses, particularly for RNA viruses, pose difficulties in production of effective vaccines. The unavailability of optimal medication and shortage of effective vaccines suggests the requirement for alternative natural therapies. Several herbal remedies were used for prevention and treatment viral respiratory illnesses. Among those that were found effective included maoto, licorice roots, antiwei, North American ginseng, berries, Echinacea, plants extracted carnosic acid, pomegranate, guava tea, and Bai Shao. There is scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of several complementary therapies for colds. Oral zinc may reduce the length and severity of a cold. Taking vitamin C supplements on a regular basis only slightly reduces the length and severity of colds. Probiotics were found better than placebo in reducing the number episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infections, the rate of episodes of acute upper respiratory tract infection and reducing antibiotic use. Alkaline diets or drinks might have antiviral properties as in vitro studies demonstrated inactivation effect of alkaline medium on respiratory virus. Earthing might have a natural anti-inflammatory effect for human body. It is now accepted that an overwhelming inflammatory response is the cause of human deaths from avian H5N1 influenza infection. Earthing accelerates immune response following vaccination, as demonstrated by increases of gamma globulin concentration. No in vivo or clinical studies were found that investigate the role of alkalization or earthing on respiratory viral infections. Thus, future studies are recommended to reveal any potential curative effects.

P. Bellavite, M. Marzotto, D. Olioso et al.

P. Bellavite, M. Marzotto, D. Olioso et al.