A research study conducted at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands suggests that homeopathy may be an alternative to antibiotics in neonatal diarrhea of piglets.

The overuse of antibiotics in poultry, beef cattle and swine production poses a serious threat to human health, animal health and the environment. Sustainable alternatives to antibiotics are desperately needed.

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In the organic livestock sector antibiotics are preferably replaced by complementary or alternative medicines (CAM), of which homeopathy is the most frequently applied.

Homeopathic treatment has significant benefits since there are no residues of homeopathic medicines in animal products, nor does homeopathy generate resistant microorganisms.

The Biological Farming Systems Group at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands recently conducted a research study to investigate if homeopathy might be an alternative to antibiotics in one of the most common illnesses in swine which is neonatal diarrhoea of piglets.

This disease leads to weight loss and increased piglet mortality, which has substantial economic consequences. Conventional treatments of Escherichia coli (E. coli) diarrhoea is administration of antibiotics to affected piglets, or preventive vaccination of the sows.

To investigate if E. coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets could be prevented by homeopathy, the researchers set up a randomised, observer blind and placebo-controlled trial.

On a commercial pig farm 52 sows of different parities, in their last month of gestation, were treated twice a week with either the homeopathic agent Coli 30K or placebo. The 525 piglets born from these sows were scored for occurrence and duration of diarrhoea.

Piglets of the homeopathic treated group had significantly less E. coli diarrhoea than piglets in the placebo group (P < .0001). Especially piglets from first parity sows gave a good response to treatment with Coli 30K.

The diarrhoea seemed to be less severe in the homeopathically treated litters, there was less transmission and duration appeared shorter.

Advantages at farm level are application of the treatment by the farmer and cost reduction. These advantages and the positive results from this study make the homeopathic agent Coli 30K an attractive potential alternative in the prevention of E. coli diarrhoea.

This study also suggests that homeopathic treatment in livestock may help the European citizen be protected from pharmacological residues in animal products and thus reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Homeopathic treatment is sought by cancer patients at a different phase during the course of the disease, which has particular implications for research. However, expectancies toward the benefit of the treatment as well as QoL data are similar.

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BACKGROUND: There are only few studies on cancer patients who are treated in complementary and alternative medicine clinics and comparing them with patients in conventional care.

We will present the comparison of characteristics of two patient cohorts: one was treated in a homeopathic cancer care clinic and one was treated in a conventional oncology care (CC) outpatient clinic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six-hundred and forty-seven patients were included in this cross-sectional cohort study and had to fill in questionnaires [health-related quality of life (QoL) (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) and expectancies toward treatment]. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. This study presents the comparison of both cohorts.

RESULTS: Patients in the homeopathy cohort are younger, better educated and more often employed than patients in the CC cohort. The most pronounced differences indicate longer disease histories and different diagnostic and clinical pretreatment variables. Despite the clinical differences, QoL as well as anxiety, depression and fatigue was similar in both the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathic treatment is sought by cancer patients at a different phase during the course of the disease, which has particular implications for research. However, expectancies toward the benefit of the treatment as well as QoL data are similar.

The homeopathic remedy Belladonna is effective in preventing Japanese Encephalitis (JE), says a  recent study conducted by the Department of Microbiology at the School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata, the Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology at the School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata, the University of Health Sciences in Kolkata, the Department of Pathology and Microbiology in West Bengal, in collaboration with the the Drug Proving Research Centre of the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), and the Government of India in Kolkata, and the Department of AYUSH Ministry of Health in New Delhi.

Abstract: Problem statement: No specific antiviral therapy is currently available despite an emergence and resurgence of Japanese encephalitis in South-East Asian Countries.

There are only few recent studies, which were aimed to treat Japanese encephalitis with newer drugs. There is thus a real need for study on antiviral agents that can reduce the toll of death and neurological sequelae resulting from infection with this virus.

Approach: Optimum dilution of the JE virus was determined which could produce significant number of pocks on Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM). Then ultradiluted Belladonna preparations were used to see their inhibitory action on JE virus infection in CAM.

Results: Ultradiluted Belladonna showed significantly decreased pock count in CAM in comparison to JE virus control.

Conclusion: Ultradiluted Belladonna could inhibit JE virus infection in CAM, which may be mediated through glycosidase inhibitory role of calystegines present in Belladonna.

Study conducted by: 1Bhaswati Bandyopadhyay, 2Satadal Das, 1Milan Sengupta, 3Chandan Saha, 4Kartick Chandra Das, 4Debabrata Sarkar and 5Chaturbhuj Nayak. 1Department of Microbiology, Virology Unit, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata-700073, India. 2Department of Pathology and Microbiology, D.N. De H. Medical College, West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Kolkata-700046, India. 3Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata-700073, India. 4Drug Proving Research Centre, CCRH, Government of India, Kolkata-700 046, India. 5Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health, CCRH, Government of India, JLN Anudandhan Bhawan, 61-65 Intitutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058.

In the week that doctors have described homeopathy as ‘nonsense on stilts’, a Nobel prize-winning scientist has made a discovery about the nature of water that suggests the therapy does have a scientific basis.

On 28 June 2010 during the prestigious 60 anniversary conference of Nobel Laureates held in Germany,Professor Luc Montagnier, a French virologist who won the Nobel prize for discovering a link between HIV and AIDS, has shocked fellow Nobel prize-winners by telling them that water has a memory that continues even after many dilutions.

Luc Montagnier Foundation proves homeopathy works

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The idea is one of the foundations of homeopathy, which maintains that the potency of a substance is increased with its dilution.

Professor Luc Montagnier has discovered that solutions containing the DNA of viruses and bacteria “could emit low frequency radio waves”. These waves influence molecules around them, and turn them into organised structures. These molecules in turn can emit waves.

Professor Luc Montagnier has discovered that the waves remain in the water, even after it has been diluted many times. Professor Luc Montagnier’s statement couldn’t happen at a worse time for doctors.

Last week, the UK’s British Medical Association (BMA) – the trade union of doctors – passed a resolution to stop homeopathy being made available on the National Health Service. It also wants all homeopathic remedies to be placed in a special area marked ‘Placebos’ in health shops and pharmacies.

The NHS currently spends around £4m a year on homeopathy, mainly by funding four homeopathic hospitals in the UK. (Sources: Sunday Times, July 4, 2010; British Medical Association).

Ludtke R, Rutten AL. The conclusions on the effectiveness of homeopathy highly depend on the set of analyzed trials. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2008, 61(12):1197-204. [PubMed abstract]

Rutten AL, Stolper CF. The 2005 meta-analysis of homeopathy: the importance of post-publication data. Homeopathy. 2008, 97(4):169-77. [PubMed abstract]

Based on all high-quality studies, homeopathy had a significant effect beyond placebo…. Shang’s results and conclusions are less definite than had been presented.

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A pair of papers re-analysed Shang’s meta-analysis* of homeopathic medicines published in the Lancet in 2005. The conclusions of Shang’s meta-analysis were based on a subset of eight ‘larger’ trials of 21 ‘high quality’ trials, compared to a subset of 6 ‘larger’ of 14 ‘high quality’ trials of conventional medicine, of a total 110 trials each of homeopathy and conventional medicine.

The identity of the trials analysed was not revealed.

In this re-analysis, the 21 higher quality trials of homeopathy were identified, re-extracted and analysed  with sensitivity analysis for the influence of single indications and other meaningful subsets of the high quality trials.

Subsets were defined according to sample size, type of homeopathy, type of publication, and treated condition. The overall odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using random effect meta-analyses.

The results show that the ‘larger high quality’ trials of homeopathy on which the original conclusions were based were highly heterogeneous, comprising 8 trials on 8 different indications, and were not matched by indication with those of conventional medicine.

The method of assessment of trial quality was unclear and differed from previous meta-analyses. However the quality of trials of homeopathy is better than of trials conventional of conventional medicine.

Based on all high-quality studies, homeopathy had a significant effect beyond placebo. When the set of analyzed trials was successively restricted to larger patient numbers, the ORs varied and the P-values increased. Shang’s negative results were largely due to one trial on preventing muscle soreness in 400 long-distance runners.

The authors concluded that the results of the meta-analysis are very sensitive to the threshold defining ‘large’ clinical trials and that, because of the heterogeneity between the trials and methodological issues, Shang’s results and conclusions are less definite than had been presented.

*Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L, Jüni P, Dörig S, Sterne JA, Pewsner D, Egger M. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. Lancet. 2005 Aug 27-Sep 2;366(9487):726-32. [PubMed abstract]

The study was undertaken to examine whether Carcinosin-200 (Car-200) could provide additional ameliorative effect, if used intermittently with Natrum sulphuricum-30 (Nat sulph-30) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by chronic feeding of p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB) and phenobarbital (PB) in mice (Mus musculus).

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Mice were randomly divided into seven sub-groups:

(i) normal untreated;

(ii) normal+succussed alcohol;

(iii) p-DAB (0.06%) + PB (0.05%);

(iv) p-DAB + PB +succussed alcohol

(v) p-DAB + PB + Nat sulph-30,

(vi) p-DAB + PB + Car-200, and

(vii) p-DAB + PB + Nat sulph-30+Car-200.

They were sacrificed at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days for assessment of genotoxicity through cytogenetical end-points like chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic index and sperm head anomaly and cytotoxicity through assay of widely accepted biomarkers and pathophysiological parameters.

Additionally, electron microscopic studies and gelatin zymography for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were conducted in liver at 90 and 120 days.

Results showed that administration of Nat sulph-30 alone and in combination with Car-200 reduced the liver tumors with positive ultra- structural changes and in MMPs expression, genotoxic parameters, lipid peroxidation, y-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood glucose, bilirubin, creatinine, urea and increased GSH, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase activities and hemoglobin, cholesterol, and albumin levels.

Thus intermittent use of Car-200 along with Nat sulph-30 yielded additional benefit against genotoxicity, cytotoxicity hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by the carcinogens during hepatocarcinogenesis.

Ethanolic extract of Gelsemium sempervirens (family: Loganiaceae), henceforth to be called EEGS, is used in various traditional systems of medicine.

In homeopathy, EEGS is known as mother tincture of G. sempervirens, which is generally used to treat pain and respiratory ailments.

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We demonstrated earlier anticancer activity of crude EEGS by in vitro studies on human HeLa cells.

To test the hypothesis if nanoparticle-encapsulated extract (now onwards to be called NEEGS) could enhance cellular uptake and thereby improve bioactivity, we formulated nanoparticle encapsulation based on poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and confirmed encapsulation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy.

EEGS was encapsulated with 81.6% efficiency in PLGA biodegradable nanoparticle formulation and F68 (polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene) was used as a stabilizer. Dynamic laser light scattering and SEM indicated a particle diameter of 122.6 nm.

The zeta potential of the drug-loaded nanoparticles was -14.8 mV. NEEGS was characterized for their biological activities in a skin cancer cell line A375 in vitro.

NEEGS exhibited relatively rapid (30 min) and more efficient cellular uptake than their un-encapsulated counterpart (45 min).

Analysis of data of apoptosis study using Annexin V-FITC, terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and DNA ladder revealed that encapsulated EEGS was more potent than their un-encapsulated counterpart in inducing apoptosis of A375 cells.

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction data of survivin, cyclin-D1, caspase-3, PCNA and p53 also corroborated well to suggest greater potentials of NEEGS as anticancer agents.

BACKGROUND: The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Society (a patient organization) has initiated a research-based bridge-building and integrative treatment project to take place from 2004 to 2010 at a specialized MS hospital.

The background for initiating the project was an increasing use of alternative treatment documented among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). From PwMS there has been an increasing demand upon The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Society to initiate the project.

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OBJECTIVE: The overall purpose of the project is to examine whether collaboration between 5 conventional and 5 alternative practitioners may optimize treatment results for people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). The specific aim of this paper is to present tools used in developing collaboration between the conventional and alternative practitioners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two main tools in developing collaboration between the practitioners are described: (1) the planning and conduction of 4 practitioner-researcher seminars in the prephase of the project before recruiting patients with MS; and (2) the IMCO scheme (which is an abbreviation of Intervention, Mechanism, Context, and Outcomes).

This tool was developed and used at practitioner-researcher seminars to make visible the different practitioners’ treatment models and the patient-related treatment courses.

RESULTS: Examples of IMCO schemes filled in by the medical doctor and the classical homeopath illustrate significant differences in interventions, assumptions concerning effect mechanisms, and awareness of contexts facilitating and inhibiting the intervention to generate the outcomes expected and obtained.

CONCLUSIONS: The IMCO schemes have been an important tool in developing the team-based treatment approaches and to facilitate self-reflection on the professional role as a health care provider. We assume that the IMCO scheme will be of real value in the development of effective treatment based on collaboration between conventional and alternative practitioners.

BACKGROUND: Physician awareness of their patients’ use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is crucial, particularly in the setting of a potentially life-threatening disease such as cancer.

Education and study site associations suggest that disclosure may be greater when CAM use is more prevalent and possibly more socially accepted. These findings underscore the importance of open, destigmatized patient–physician communication regarding CAM use.

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The potential for harmful treatment interactions may be greatest when a patient sees a CAM practitioner–perceived as a physician-like authority figure–but does not disclose this to their physician. Therefore, this study investigated the extent of nondisclosure in a large cohort of cancer patients.

METHODS: CAM use in participants of the UCSD Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study, a multicenter study of the effect of diet and lifestyle on disease-free and overall survival in women aged 18-70 years who had completed treatment for invasive breast cancer between 1995 and 2000, is investigated.

Data regarding CAM use and disclosure were collected via a telephone-administered questionnaire in 2003-2004. This questionnaire asked about different CAM modalities, including those requiring a “skilled CAM practitioner” (acupuncturist, chiropractor, homeopath, or naturopath) for administration. Demographic data were obtained at the WHEL baseline clinic interview.

Modality-specific disclosure rates were determined and a comparison of demographic variables of disclosers versus nondisclosers was conducted using 2 tests for categorical variables, and t tests for continuous variables.

RESULTS: Of 3088 total WHEL participants, 2527 completed the CAM questionnaire. Of these, 2017 reported using some form of CAM.

Of these, 300 received treatment from an acupuncturist, chiropractor, homeopath, or naturopath and also provided information on whether or not they disclosed this care to their conventional physician.

The highest disclosure rate was for naturopathy (85%), followed by homeopathy (74%), acupuncture (71%), and chiropractic (47%). Among demographic characteristics, only education (P=.047) and study site (P=.039) were associated with disclosure. College graduates and postgraduates, in particular, were more likely to disclose CAM use to their physicians than those with lesser education.

CONCLUSION: Overall, moderately high rates of physician disclosure of CAM use for all modalities except chiropractic were observed. Education and study site associations suggest that disclosure may be greater when CAM use is more prevalent and possibly more socially accepted. These findings underscore the importance of open, destigmatized patient–physician communication regarding CAM use.

OBJECTIVE: To establish, using a systematic review and meta-analysis, whether there is any evidence from randomised controlled clinical trials of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in patients with any disease.

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DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished reports of controlled clinical trials available up to June 1998, identified by searching bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, Biosis, PsychInfo, Cinahl, British Library Stock Alert Service, SIGLE, Amed), references lists of selected papers, hand searching homeopathic journals and conference abstracts, and contacting pharmaceutical companies.

TRIALS SELECTION: Trials were selected using an unblinded process by two reviewers. The selection criteria were randomised, controlled trials in which the efficacy of homeopathic treatment was assessed relative to placebo in patients using clinical or surrogate endpoints. Prevention trials or those evaluating only biological effects were excluded.

One hundred and eighteen randomised trials were identified and evaluated for inclusion. Sixteen trials, representing 17 comparisons and including a total of 2,617 evaluated patients, fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted by two reviewers independently, using a summary form. Disagreements were resolved by a third person.

DATA SYNTHESIS: The evidence was synthesised by combining the significance levels (P values) for the primary outcomes from the individual trials. The combined P value for the 17 comparisons was highly significant P = 0.000036. However, sensitivity analysis showed that the P value tended towards a non-significant value (P = 0.08) as trials were excluded in a stepwise manner based on their level of quality.

CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence that homeopathic treatments are more effective than placebo; however, the strength of this evidence is low because of the low methodological quality of the trials. Studies of high methodological quality were more likely to be negative than the lower quality studies. Further high quality studies are needed to confirm these results.