Homeopatia na Índia: educação, atendimento e pesquisa / Homeopathy in India: education, care and research

Este artigo apresenta uma síntese do desenvolvimento e institucionalização da homeopatia na Ìndia, desde sua introdução em 1839 aos nossos dias. Na atualidade, a homeopatia está incluída num programa governamental (AYUSH) para promoção das medicinas tradicionais e alternativas. A homeopatia conta com dois referentes institucionais: o Conselho Central de Homeopatia, focando a formação dos homeopatas, e o Conselho Central para Pesquisa em Homeopatia, que desenvolve diversos programas de investigação. Além disso, o país ainda conta com um Instituto Nacional de Homeopatia, um Laboratório destinado a padronizar a Farmacopéia Indiana e clínicas homeopáticas nos diversos níveis da administração política. Igualmente, a homeopatia tem parte significativa no Programa Nacional de Saúde Materno-Infantil.(AU)

This article presents a summary of the development and institutionalization of homeopathy in India since its introduction in 1839 to the present time. Nowadays, homeopathy is included in a governmental program (AYUSH) aiming at the promotion of traditional and alternative medicines. Homeopathy is represented by two main offices: the Central Council of Homeopathy, focused on training, and the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, which develops several research programs. Moreover, there are a National Institute of Homeopathy, a Laboratory devoted to the standardization of India Pharmacopoea and homeopathic clinics distributed among all levels of the political administration. Similarly, homeopathy plays a significant role in the National Program for Mother-Infant Health.(AU)

A systematic review of the quality of homeopathic pathogenetic trials published from 1945 to 1995.

BACKGROUND: The quality of information gathered from homeopathic pathogenetic trials (HPTs), also known as 'provings', is fundamental to homeopathy. We systematically reviewed HPTs published in six languages (English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Dutch) from 1945 to 1995, to assess their quality in terms of the validity of the information they provide. METHODS: The literature was comprehensively searched, only published reports of HPTs were included. Information was extracted by two reviewers per trial using a form with 87 items. Information on: medicines, volunteers, ethical aspects, blinding, randomization, use of placebo, adverse effects, assessments, presentation of data and number of claimed findings were recorded. Methodological quality was assessed by an index including indicators of internal and external validity, personal judgement and comments of reviewers for each study. RESULTS: 156 HPTs on 143 medicines, involving 2815 volunteers, produced 20,538 pathogenetic effects (median 6.5 per volunteer). There was wide variation in methods and results. Sample size (median 15, range 1-103) and trial duration (mean 34 days) were very variable. Most studies had design flaws, particularly absence of proper randomization, blinding, placebo control and criteria for analysis of outcomes. Mean methodological score was 5.6 (range 4-16). More symptoms were reported from HPTs of poor quality than from better ones. In 56% of trials volunteers took placebo. Pathogenetic effects were claimed in 98% of publications. On average about 84% of volunteers receiving active treatment developed symptoms. The quality of reports was in general poor, and much important information was not available. CONCLUSIONS: The HPTs were generally of low methodological quality. There is a high incidence of pathogenetic effects in publications and volunteers but this could be attributable to design flaws. Homeopathic medicines, tested in HPTs, appear safe. The central question of whether homeopathic medicines in high dilutions can provoke effects in healthy volunteers has not yet been definitively answered, because of methodological weaknesses of the reports. Improvement of the method and reporting of results of HPTs are required. REFERENCES: References to all included RCTs are available on-line at.

Homeopathy in HIV infection: a trial report of double-blind placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the immuno-modulator role of homeopathic remedies in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. METHODOLOGY: A randomised double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of homeopathic remedies with placebo, on CD4+ve T-lymphocytes in HIV infected individuals, conforming to Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage II & III. 100 HIV+ve individuals between 18-50 y (71% males) were included in the study. 50 cases conformed to CDC stage II--Asymptomatic HIV infection, and 50 cases to CDC stage III--Persistent Generalised Lymphadenopathy (PGL). Cases were stratified according to their clinical status and CD4+ve lymphocyte counts. The randomisation charts were prepared much before the start of the trial by randomly assigning placebo and verum codes to registration numbers from 1 to 50. A single individualised homeopathic remedy was prescribed in each case and was followed up at intervals of 15 d to one month. A six months study was performed for each registered case. Assessment of progress was made by evaluation of CD+ve lymphocyte counts, which was the prospectively-defined main outcome measure of the study; the results were compared with the base line immune status. RESULTS: In PGL, a statistically significant difference was observed in CD+ve T-lymphocyte counts between pre and post trial levels in verum group (P < 0.01). In the placebo group a similar comparison yielded non-significant results. (P = 0.91). Analysis of change in the pre and post trial counts of CD4+ve cells between groups was also statistically significant (P = 0.04). In asymptomatic HIV infection, differences in absolute CD4+ve lymphocyte counts between pre and post trial levels were not significant. Analysis of changes in pre and post trial CD4 levels of placebo and verum groups for combined strata of asymptomatic and PGL groups was also not significant. CONCLUSION: The study suggests a possible role of homeopathic treatment in HIV infection in symptomatic phase, as evidenced by a statistically significant elevation of base line immune status in persistent generalised lymphadenopathy.

Homeopathy in HIV infection: a trial report of double-blind placebo controlled study

This study was aimed to evaluate the immuno-modulator role of homeopathic remedies in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. A randomised double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of homeopathic remedies with placebo, on CD4+ve T-lymphocytes in HIV infected individuals, conforming to Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage II & III. 100 HIV+ve individual beteen 18-50y (71 percent males) were included in the study. 50 cases conformed... (AU)

Double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of homoeopathic medicines in HIV infection

A 6 month study comprising of a Double-blind Placebo-controlled trial of homoeopathic medicines in HIV/AIDS under 3 separate schemes (I) Asymptomatic HIV infection and (II) Persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (50 subjects each) was undertaken from June 1995 to February 1997. As soon as a subject had undergone 6 months of study, they were put on an indicated medicine. Unblinding... (AU)

Evaluation of homoeopathic therapy in 129 asymptomatic HIV carriers

To assess the role of homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection, a pilot research study was undertaken by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (India) starting in May 1989. 129 symptomatic HIV carriers (120 male and 9 female) were treated with homoeopathic medicines on the basis of the individuals' constitutional (both mental/emotional and physical) characteristics. The medicines were prescribed in potencies varying from 30CH to 10M and in varying dosage, depending on the age and constitution of the individual patients. 12 of the patients studied have reverted back to negative serology for HIV antibodies after treatment varying from 3 to 16 months (mean duration of treatment between entry and reversal of seroconversion for HIV antibodies 7.25 months). All patients who continue to remain symptom free are receiving follow-up treatment. Efforts are being made to evaluate their haematological and immunological status in detail

Corrections of abbreviations for medicines used in Boger-Boenninghausen's Repertory

This paper presents the results of correcting the abbreviations used in the Boger Boenninghausen's Repertory, to bring them in line with the abbreviations which are used in Kent's works. In the process of checking, several (about 100) errors in the name of the drugs were noted. The correct names of drugs were identified after a thorough search in authoritative works. This paper presents the errors and suggested corrections with references. It is hoped that with the incorporation of these corrections the value of this monumental work would be further increased

Pancreatic beta-cell regeneration

Cephalendra indica (41//v/v alcoholic extract of the wild variety of Cephalendra indica Naud.), on regular administration in doses ranging from 25uml to 75uml/100g of body weight (gbw) by the oral or intraperitoneal (ip) route produced a significant fall in blood sugar level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Biochemical studies showed stabilization of blood sugar level in 70//of cases at fourteen to twenty days after withdrawal of the drug. Histopathological studies revealed regeneration of pancreatic B cells. The hypothesis is that the drug acts through the hypothalamo-hypophysial-pancreatic axis, producing selective regeneration of B cells. The drug may indirectly release inhibitory factors from hypothalamic neurons, inhibiting the secretion of growth hormone and triggering insulin secretions from B cells. The therapeutic action of the drug on pancreatic B cells and lack of acute and subacute toxicity may open up new prospects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus