Case Reports of Five Cancer Patients with Unusual Course.

INTRODUCTION: The analysis of the periodic table of elements by Jan Scholten opened the way for a new kind of classification and repertorisation of homeopathic remedies. Thereby, group analysis (resorting to series and stages) makes precise prescriptions possible. This approach appears to yield striking results, even in severe cases. Whereas Hahnemann stressed the emotional state ('Gemüthssymptome', Organon § 210) when choosing a remedy, Scholten 200 years later investigated the mental picture that represents a life conflict or even a life theme that may maintain the disease process. The person's environment, emotional traumas or a conflict drives him or her to suppress and dissect painful emotions. Such compensations can become subconscious and so strong that they can no longer be controlled; they then influence the patient with a highly destructive energy. METHODS: We present five case reports, each dealing with an unusual clinical course of severe cancer associated with homeopathic treatment using the Scholten method. RESULTS: By presenting these cases, we consider how the constitution (lifelong signs and symptoms of the patient) and the mental state are interwoven and, as a complex mechanism, might provoke disease. CONCLUSION: The appropriate homeopathic remedy, reflecting the Scholten approach, seemed to have beneficial impact on the disease process of the five individuals presented.

Pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic properties of the α /ß-thujone fraction from Thuja occidentalis on glioblastoma cells.

The most aggressive type of brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme, which to date remains incurable. Thuja occidentalis is used in homeopathy for the treatment of cancer, however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. We set out to study the effects of thujone fractions of Thuja on glioblastoma using in vitro and in vivo models. We found that the α/ ß-thujone fraction decrease the cell viability and exhibit a potent anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects in vitro. In vivo assays showed that α /ß-thujone promotes the regression of neoplasia and inhibits the angiogenic markers VEGF, Ang-4 and CD31 into the tumor.

Homeopathic remedies with antineoplastic properties have immunomodulatory effects in experimental animals.

BACKGROUND: Our previous work suggests that Thuja occidentalis, Carcinosinum and Ruta graveolens have antineoplastic properties. The mechanism of this action has not previously been studied. We studied the hypothesis that the mechanism of action is through the immune modulation. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of Thuja occidentalis, Carcinosinum and Ruta graveolens 1M, 200c and 30c on the immune system of Balb/c mice. The homeopathic preparations were administered orally for ten consecutive days. Haematological parameters (Total White Blood Cell (WBC) Count, Differential Count and Haemoglobin content), haematopoietic parameters (bone marrow cellularity and α-esterase positive cells) and immune parameters for antibody response and lymphoid cell proliferation were assessed using standard methods. Results were analysed by statistical comparison with the control. RESULTS: We observed significant enhancement of haematological parameters including total WBC count, haematopoietic parameters such as bone marrow cellularity and the number of α-esterase positive cells, other parameters of immune response such as circulating antibody titre and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC), particularly with higher dilutions of Thuja and Ruta. Enhanced proliferation of B and T lymphoid cells was also observed. No toxic effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest immunomodulatory activity of homeopathic preparations in high dilution. This may be a mechanism through which homeopathic preparations act.

Apoptotic and autophagic death union by Thuja occidentalis homeopathic drug in cervical cancer cells with thujone as the bioactive principle.

OBJECTIVE: "Multi-targeting" drugs can prove fruitful to combat drug-resistance of multifactorial disease-cervical cancer. This study envisioned to reveal if Thuja homeopathic mother tincture (MT) and its bioactive component could combat human papillomavirus (HPV)-16-infected SiHa cervical cancer cells since it is globally acclaimed for HPV-mediated warts. METHODS: Thuja MT was studied for its antiproliferative and antimigratory properties in SiHa cells followed by microscopic determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) staining and loss in mitochondrial membrane potential (MtMP) by rhodamine 123 (Rh123) staining. Apoptosis and autophagy inductions were studied by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and immunoblot analyses of marker proteins. The bioactive component of Thuja MT detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was studied for antiproliferative and antimigratory properties along with in silico prediction of its cellular targets by molecular docking and oral drug forming competency. RESULTS: Thuja MT showed significant antiproliferative and antimigratory potential in SiHa cells at a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 17.3 µL/mL. An increase in DCFDA fluorescence and loss in Rh123 fluorescence prove that Thuja MT acted through the burst of ROS and loss in MtMP respectively. AO/EB-stained cells under the microscope and immunoblot analyses supported Thuja-induced cellular demise via dual pathways-apoptosis and autophagy. Immunoblots showed cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) along with upregulation of Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B)-II, and p62 proteins. Hence, the apoptotic cascade followed a caspase-3-dependent pathway supported by PARP-1 cleavage, while autophagic death was Beclin-1-dependent and mediated by accumulation of LC3BII and p62 proteins. Thujone, detected as the bioactive principle of Thuja MT, showed greater anti-proliferative and anti-migratory potential at an IC50 of 77 µg/mL, along with excellent oral drug competency with the ability for gastrointestinal absorption and blood-brain-barrier permeation with nil toxicity. Molecular docking depicted thujone with the strongest affinity for mammalian target of rapamycin, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and protein kinase B followed by B-cell lymphoma 2, murine double minute 2 and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which might act as upstream triggers of apoptotic-autophagic crosstalk. CONCLUSION: Robust "multi-targeting" anticancer potential of Thuja drug and thujone for HPV-infected cervical cancer ascertained its therapeutic efficacy for HPV infections.

Seizures in a 7-month-old child after exposure to the essential plant oil thuja.

A previously healthy 7-month-old child was treated with homeopathic preparations of thuja, a potentially convulsant compound, for the purpose of providing a calming effect around times of immunizations. The child developed eight generalized tonic-clonic seizures with no other obvious cause, in the context of normal electroencephalograms and a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seizures stopped after discontinuation of thuja and brief treatment with phenobarbital. The epileptogenic potential of plant-derived essential oils and other herbal remedies should be recognized by practitioners providing neurologic care to children.

Effect of homeopathic medicines on transplanted tumors in mice.

Ultra low doses used in homeopathic medicines are reported to have healing potential for various diseases but their action remains controversial. In this study we have investigated the antitumour and antimetastatic activity of selected homeopathic medicines against transplanted tumours in mice. It was found that Ruta graveolens 200c and Hydrastis canadensis 200c significantly increased the lifespan of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma and Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites induced tumour-bearing animals by 49.7%, and 69.4% respectively. Moreover there was 95.6% and 95.8% reduction of solid tumour volume in Ruta 200c and Hydrastis 200c treated animals on the 31st day after tumour inoculation. Hydrastis 1M given orally significantly inhibited the growth of developed solid tumours produced by DLA cells and increased the lifespan of tumour bearing animals. Some 9 out of 15 animals with developed tumors were completely tumour free after treatment with Hydrastis 1M. Significant anti-metastatic activity was also found in B16F-10 melanoma-bearing animals treated with Thuja1M, Hydrastis 1M and Lycopodium1M. This was evident from the inhibition of lung tumour nodule formation, morphological and histopathological analysis of lung and decreased levels of gamma-GT in serum, a cellular marker of proliferation. These findings support that homeopathic preparations of Ruta and Hydrastis have significant antitumour activity. The mechanism of action of these medicines is not known at present.

Effects of homeopathic preparations on human prostate cancer growth in cellular and animal models.

The use of dietary supplements for various ailments enjoys unprecedented popularity. As part of this trend, Sabal serrulata (saw palmetto) constitutes the complementary treatment of choice with regard to prostate health. In homeopathy, Sabal serrulata is commonly prescribed for prostate problems ranging from benign prostatic hyperplasia to prostate cancer. The authors' work assessed the antiproliferative effects of homeopathic preparations of Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, and Conium maculatum, in vivo, on nude mouse xenografts, and in vitro, on PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer as well as MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with Sabal serrulata in vitro resulted in a 33% decrease of PC-3 cell proliferation at 72 hours and a 23% reduction of DU-145 cell proliferation at 24 hours (P<.01). The difference in reduction is likely due to the specific doubling time of each cell line. No effect was observed on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Thuja occidentalis and Conium maculatum did not have any effect on human prostate cancer cell proliferation. In vivo, prostate tumor xenograft size was significantly reduced in Sabal serrulata-treated mice compared to untreated controls (P=.012). No effect was observed on breast tumor growth. Our study clearly demonstrates a biologic response to homeopathic treatment as manifested by cell proliferation and tumor growth. This biologic effect was (i)significantly stronger to Sabal serrulata than to controls and (ii)specific to human prostate cancer. Sabal serrulata should thus be further investigated as a specific homeopathic remedy for prostate pathology.

Hospital clinical trial: Homeopathy (Agraphis nutans 5CH, Thuya occidentalis 5CH, Kalium muriaticum 9CH and Arsenicum iodatum 9CH) as adjuvant, in children with otitis media with effusion.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of paediatric hearing loss. No single treatment has proved its effectiveness. There is a lack of evidence-based medicine studies in the area of homeopathy. METHOD: A prospective randomized, double blinded interventional placebo control study was conducted. Patients, from 2 months to 12 years, with OME diagnosed by pneumatic otoscopy (PNO) and tympanometry, were randomized into two groups. Both groups received aerosol therapy (mucolytics and corticosteroids). In addition, the experimental group (EG) received homeopathy (Agraphis nutans 5CH, Thuya Occidentalis 5CH, Kalium muriaticum 9CH and Arsenicum iodatum), and the placebo group (PG) placebo, both of them for 3 months. Patients were evaluated by PNO examination and tympanometry at baseline, at 45 and 90 days. RESULTS: 97 patients were enrolled. In the EG, 61.9% of individuals were cured (PNO went from negative in the 1st visit to positive in the 3rd visit) compared with 56.8% of patients treated with placebo. 4.8% of patients in the EG suffered a recurrence (positive PNO in the 2nd visit changed to negative in the 3rd visit) while 11.4% did in the PG. No significant difference was found. Adverse events were distributed similarly, except in the case of upper respiratory tract infections, which were less frequent in EG (3 vs. 13, p: 0.009). CONCLUSION: The homeopathic scheme used as adjuvant treatment cannot be claimed to be an effective treatment in children with OME. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EUDRACT number: 2011-006086-17, PROTOCOL code: 55005646.

Psoríase e tratamento homeopático / Psoriasis and homeopathic treatment

A psoríase é uma doença inflamatória sistêmica que afeta 125 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo e mais antigos relatos datam de Hipócrates (470 -377 AC).( A Systemic Review on Efficacy of Homeopathic Medicines on the Patients of Psoriasis), sendo acompanhada de comorbidades graves e comprometimento da qualidade de vida. A medicação alopática trata a doença de forma generalizada, suprimindo as lesões e muitas vezes resultando em complicações do próprio tratamento. A homeopatia mostra-se como uma opção terapêutica baseada em um tratamento individualizado, holístico, de baixo custo e com resultados promissores na abordagem dos pacientes psoráticos.

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects 125 million people worldwide, with the earliest reports dating back to Hippocrates (470-377 BC). It is accompanied by severe comorbidities and compromises quality of life. Allopathic medication treats the disease in a generalized manner, suppressing the lesions and often resulting in treatment-related complications. Homeopathy emerges as a therapeutic option based on individualized, holistic treatment, at low cost, and with promising results in addressing psoriatic patients.

Homeopathic Thuja 30C ameliorates benzo(a)pyrene-induced DNA damage, stress and viability of perfused lung cells of mice in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if the ultra-highly diluted homeopathic remedy Thuja 30C can ameliorate benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced DNA damage, stress and viability of perfused lung cells of Swiss albino mice in vitro. METHODS: Perfused normal lung cells from mice were cultured in 5% Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium and exposed to BaP, a potent carcinogen, at the half maximal inhibitory concentration dose (2.2 µmol/L) for 24 h. Thereafter, the intoxicated cells were either treated with Thuja 30C (used against tumor or cancer) or its vehicle media, succussed alcohol 30C. Relevant parameters of study involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, total glutathione (GSH) content, and generations of heat shock protein (hsp)-90 were measured; the cell viability and other test parameters were measured after treatment with either Thuja 30C or its vehicle media. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was performed to examine if Thuja 30C directly interacted with calf thymus DNA as target. For ascertaining if DNA damaged by BaP could be partially repaired and restituted by the remedy, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was performed. RESULTS: Thuja 30C increased cell viability of BaP-intoxicated cells significantly, as compared to drug-untreated or drug-vehicle control. A minimal dose of Thuja 30C significantly inhibited BaP-induced stress level, by down-regulating ROS and hsp-90, and increasing GSH content. Thuja 30C itself had no DNA-damaging effect, and no direct drug-DNA interaction. However, it showed quite striking ability to repair DNA damage caused by BaP. CONCLUSION: Thuja 30C ameliorates BaP-induced toxicity, stress and DNA damage in perfused lung cells of mice and it apparently has no effect on normal lung cells.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by ethanolic extracts of Phytolacca decandra, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hydrastis canadensis and Thuja occidentalis induce differential cytotoxicity through G2/M arrest in A375 cells.

The capability of crude ethanolic extracts of certain medicinal plants like Phytolacca decandra, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hydrastis canadensis and Thuja occidentalis used as homeopathic mother tinctures in precipitating silver nanoparticles from aqueous solution of silver nitrate has been explored. Nanoparticles thus precipitated were characterized by spectroscopic, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, atomic force and transmission electron microscopic analyses. The drug-DNA interactions of silver nanoparticles were analyzed from data of circular dichroism spectroscopy and melting temperature profiles using calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) as target. Biological activities of silver nanoparticles of different origin were then tested to evaluate their effective anti-proliferative and anti-bacterial properties, if any, by exposing them to A375 skin melanoma cells and to Escherichia coli C, respectively. Silver nanoparticles showed differences in their level of anti-cancer and anti-bacterial potentials. The nanoparticles of different origin interacted differently with CT-DNA, showing differences in their binding capacities. Particle size differences of the nanoparticles could be attributed for causing differences in their cellular entry and biological action. The ethanolic extracts of these plants had not been tested earlier for their possible efficacies in synthesizing nanoparticles from silver nitrate solution that had beneficial biological action, opening up a possibility of having therapeutic values in the management of diseases including cancer.

Tratamiento Homeopático de la Verruga Plantar. Caso Clínico Tratado en una Farmacia Comunitaria / Homeopathic Wart Treatment Plant. Clinical Case Treated in a Community Pharmacy

Las verrugas plantares son un tipo de infección causadas por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH). En muchos de los casos son muy dolorosas y difíciles de tratar; aunque generalmente desaparecen con tratamiento en unos meses, en otros casos persisten durante años. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 13 años que acudió a la oficina de farmacia tras el fracaso de un prolongado tratamiento convencional para una verruga plantar en el talón. Existen antecedentes documentados y experiencias favorables en el tratamiento homeopático de las verrugas plantares y de su utilización en farmacia. Se le pautaron Thuja occidentalis 15CH (10 gránulos semanalmente), Dulcamara 9CH (5-0-5), Antimonium crudum 15CH (5-0-5) y Nitricum acidum 15CH (5-0-5) durante 1 mes. Se observó una mejoría clínica importante al cabo de sólo 1 mes exclusivamente con tratamiento homeopático, que puede suponer una posibilidad de tratamiento eficaz para las verrugas plantares, incluso tras el fracaso de otras intervenciones convencionales.(AU)

Plantar warts are a type of infection caused by the human papillomavirus. In many cases they are very painful and difficult to treat, they usually disappear in a few months with the treatment but in several cases they will persist for years. The case of a 13 years old male is presented, who came to the pharmacy after a long and unsuccessful conventional treatment of a plantar wart on the heel of the left foot. The plantar warts have been successfully treated by homeopathic medicines in the bibliography and according to our own experience. The chosen medicines were Thuja occidentalis 15CH (10 granules weekly), Dulcamara 9CH 5 (5-0-5), Antimonium crudum 15CH (5-0-5) and Nitricum acidum 15CH (5-0-5). An important improvement was observed after 1 month of treatment. The homeopathic treatment can be an effective treatment option for plantar warts, including those where other conventional interventions have not succeeded. (AU)

Induction of apoptosis of tumor cells by some potentiated homeopathic drugs: implications on mechanism of action.

BACKGROUND: Homoeopathic medicines treat diseases, including cancer, using ultradiluted preparations. Earlier studies indicated that homoeopathic medicines are cytotoxic to tumor cells and reduced animal tumors. However, the mechanism of homoeopathic medicines at the cellular level is not known. METHODS: The following drugs were used in the study: Ruta 200C, Carcinosinum 200C, Hydrastis 200C, Thuja 200C, and Thuja 1M. These drugs were tested for their ability to induce apoptosis as seen by morphology, DNA laddering, expression of genes related to apoptosis, and TUNEL assay. Similarly, the effect of homoeopathic medicines on apoptosis was measured by microarray analysis. Activity of Ruta 200C was compared with that of the mother tincture. RESULTS: Ruta 200C produced morphological changes in the Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells and induced DNA laddering. Carcinosinum 200C increased apoptotic gene p53 and Ruta 200C decreased antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. Administration of potentiated homoeopathic drugs to tumor-bearing mice induced TUNEL-positive cells in the tumor, showing increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Microarray analysis of cells treated with homoeopathic drugs indicated that many enzymes related to apoptosis were increased by homoeopathic drugs. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of tumor reduction of homeopathic drugs. A comparison of potentiated drugs with their mother tincture indicated that the potentiated drugs have biological activity similar to that of their mother tincture in spite of ultradilution.

Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells.

The use of ultra-diluted natural products in the management of disease and treatment of cancer has generated a lot of interest and controversy. We conducted an in vitro study to determine if products prescribed by a clinic in India have any effect on breast cancer cell lines. We studied four ultra-diluted remedies (Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Conium and Thuja) against two human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and a cell line derived from immortalized normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMLE). The remedies exerted preferential cytotoxic effects against the two breast cancer cell lines, causing cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis. These effects were accompanied by altered expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, including downregulation of phosphorylated Rb and upregulation of the CDK inhibitor p27, which were likely responsible for the cell cycle delay/arrest as well as induction of the apoptotic cascade that manifested in the activation of caspase 7 and cleavage of PARP in the treated cells. The findings demonstrate biological activity of these natural products when presented at ultra-diluted doses. Further in-depth studies with additional cell lines and animal models are warranted to explore the clinical applicability of these agents.

Paciente com condiloma acuminado vulvar (CID A 63. 0) tratada com medicamento homeopático Thuja occidentalis: relato de caso

Relato de caso de uma paciente de 36 anos de idade, atendida em clínica particular, Itu-SP, diagnosticada com condiloma acuminado vulvar em maio de 2018. A paciente foi tratada inicialmente com imiquimode e ácido tricloroacético a 80% (ATA) sem melhora das manifestações clínicas, sendo posteriormente introduzido o medicamento homeopático Thuja occidentalis sem tratamento tópico concomitante, havendo completa remissão do quadro em 4 semanas. No segmento foi mantido o medicamento por mais 3 meses, tendo em vista o impacto positivo causado pela Thuja occidentalis, no quadro associado de miomatose uterina, também apresentado pela paciente.(AU)

Relato de caso de uma paciente de 36 anos de idade, atendida em clínica particular, Itu-SP, diagnosticada com condiloma acuminado vulvar em maio de 2018. A paciente foi tratada inicialmente com imiquimode e ácido tricloroacético a 80% (ATA) sem melhora das manifestações clínicas, sendo posteriormente introduzido o medicamento homeopático Thuja occidentalis sem tratamento tópico concomitante, havendo completa remissão do quadro em 4 semanas. No segmento foi mantido o medicamento por mais 3 meses, tendo em vista o impacto positivo causado pela Thuja occidentalis, no quadro associado de miomatose uterina, também apresentado pela paciente.(AU)

Homoeopathic treatment of vitiligo: an open observational pilot study

Background: Vitiligo is a common hypopigmentation disorder with significant psychological impact. An evaluation of homeopathic treatment was performed in individuals with vitiligo in a hospital outpatient clinic in West Bengal, India. Methods: Thirty participants (median age 27 years old, 57% female) were recruited for a prospective open-label pilot study and treated with individualized homeopathic medicines for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed after 3 months and 6 months using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score, Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) score, and Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, which are validated outcome measures evaluating the area, intensity, spread of depigmentation of vitiligo lesions, and quality of life (QoL). Results: A total of 27 participants completed the trial; 3 dropped out. After 6 months of treatment, the median VASI total score improved significantly by 0.1 units (p=0.003), from 0.8 (0.5, 1.5) to 0.7 (0.3, 0.8) on a scale from 0 (no depigmentation) to 100 (completely depigmented). Similarly, the VETF median score improved by 2 units (p=0.0001) from 1 (0, 1) to –1 (–1, 0) and the staging score changed from 1 (1, 2) to 1 (0, 1), p=0.002. The total DLQI median score exhibited significant reduction from 21 (17, 22) to 13.6 (10, 17), change 7.4 (p=0.0001), as also did its components. Conclusions: Individualized homeopathic treatment associated with significant improvement of VASI, VETF and DLQI scores. The extent to which the observed effects were due to placebo needs clarification in future randomized double-blind clinical studies preceded by feasibility studies.

Introdução: Vitiligo é uma desordem de hipopigmentação de ocorrência comum, com impacto psicológico significativo. Foi avaliado o tratamento homeopático de indivíduos com vitiligo no ambulatório de um hospital em Bengala Ocidental, Índia. Métodos: Trinta participantes (idade mediana 27 anos, sendo 57% do gênero feminino) foram recrutados para o presente estudo piloto prospectivo aberto e tratados com medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados por 6 meses. A eficácia do tratamento foi avaliada aos 3 e 6 meses mediante Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score, Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF), e Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), que são medidas validadas de desfecho correspondendo à área, intensidade e disseminação da depigmentação causada por vitiligo, assim como a qualidade de vida (QV). Resultados: Um total de 27 participantes completou o estudo, sendo que 3 abandonaram. Depois de 6 meses de tratamento, a mediana do escore total do VASI apresentou melhora significativa de 0,1 unidade (p=0,003) passando de 0,8 (0,5, 1,5) para 0,7 (0,3, 0,8), numa escala de 0 (sem depigmentação) a 100 (depigmentação completa). De modo similar, a mediana do escore VETF de disseminação melhorou em 2 unidades (p=0,0001) de 1 (0, 1) a –1 (–1, 0), e o escore de estadiamento variou de 1 (1, 2) para 1 (0, 1), p=0,002. O escore total mediano de DLQI diminuiu de 21 (17, 22) a 13,6 (10, 17), com uma variação de 7,4 (p=0,0001); variação também foi constatada nos componentes de DLQI. Conclusões: O tratamento homeopático individualizado se associou com melhora significativa nos escores de VASI, VETF e DLQI. A parte dos efeitos possivelmente devida a efeito placebo precisa ser determinada em futuros estudos clínicos randomizados e duplo cego, após a realização de estudos de factibilidade.

Homoeopathic treatment of vitiligo: an open observational pilot study

Background: Vitiligo is a common hypopigmentation disorder with significant psychological impact. An evaluation of homeopathic treatment was performed in individuals with vitiligo in a hospital outpatient clinic in West Bengal, India. Methods: Thirty participants (median age 27 years old, 57% female) were recruited for a prospective open-label pilot study and treated with individualized homeopathic medicines for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed after 3 months and 6 months using Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score, Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) score, and Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, which are validated outcome measures evaluating the area, intensity, spread of depigmentation of vitiligo lesions, and quality of life (QoL). Results: A total of 27 participants completed the trial; 3 dropped out. After 6 months of treatment, the median VASI total score improved significantly by 0.1 units (p=0.003), from 0.8 (0.5, 1.5) to 0.7 (0.3, 0.8) on a scale from 0 (no depigmentation) to 100 (completely depigmented). Similarly, the VETF median score improved by 2 units (p=0.0001) from 1 (0, 1) to –1 (–1, 0) and the staging score changed from 1 (1, 2) to 1 (0, 1), p=0.002. The total DLQI median score exhibited significant reduction from 21 (17, 22) to 13.6 (10, 17), change 7.4 (p=0.0001), as also did its components. Conclusions: Individualized homeopathic treatment associated with significant improvement of VASI, VETF and DLQI scores. The extent to which the observed effects were due to placebo needs clarification in future randomized double-blind clinical studies preceded by feasibility studies. (AU)

Introdução: Vitiligo é uma desordem de hipopigmentação de ocorrência comum, com impacto psicológico significativo. Foi avaliado o tratamento homeopático de indivíduos com vitiligo no ambulatório de um hospital em Bengala Ocidental, Índia. Métodos: Trinta participantes (idade mediana 27 anos, sendo 57% do gênero feminino) foram recrutados para o presente estudo piloto prospectivo aberto e tratados com medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados por 6 meses. A eficácia do tratamento foi avaliada aos 3 e 6 meses mediante Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) score, Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF), e Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), que são medidas validadas de desfecho correspondendo à área, intensidade e disseminação da depigmentação causada por vitiligo, assim como a qualidade de vida (QV). Resultados: Um total de 27 participantes completou o estudo, sendo que 3 abandonaram. Depois de 6 meses de tratamento, a mediana do escore total do VASI apresentou melhora significativa de 0,1 unidade (p=0,003) passando de 0,8 (0,5, 1,5) para 0,7 (0,3, 0,8), numa escala de 0 (sem depigmentação) a 100 (depigmentação completa). De modo similar, a mediana do escore VETF de disseminação melhorou em 2 unidades (p=0,0001) de 1 (0, 1) a –1 (–1, 0), e o escore de estadiamento variou de 1 (1, 2) para 1 (0, 1), p=0,002. O escore total mediano de DLQI diminuiu de 21 (17, 22) a 13,6 (10, 17), com uma variação de 7,4 (p=0,0001); variação também foi constatada nos componentes de DLQI. Conclusões: O tratamento homeopático individualizado se associou com melhora significativa nos escores de VASI, VETF e DLQI. A parte dos efeitos possivelmente devida a efeito placebo precisa ser determinada em futuros estudos clínicos randomizados e duplo cego, após a realização de estudos de factibilidade. (AU)

Ineficiência da Thuja occidentalis no tratamento dos poxvirus aviários / Thuja occidentalis ineficiency in avian poxviruses treatment

Medicações à base de Tuia (Thuja occidentalis) são comuns em tratamentos homeopáticos e fitoterápicos, na medicina humana e veterinária. Suas propriedades imunoestimulantes e antivirais são descritas e sua utilização empírica no tratamento das poxviroses aviárias é recomendada por criadores e veterinários. Para avaliar o potencial terapêutico da Tuia sobre estas infecções, dois grupos (controle e teste) de dez aves jovens foram inoculados por escarificação, com uma amostra de campo de poxvírus aviário. As aves inoculadas foram examinadas diariamente, quanto ao início e evolução das lesões, registrando-se o número e tamanho destas, até a cicatrização. Após o surgimento das lesões, o grupo teste recebeu a tintura alcoólica diluída na água de consumo. A análise experimental indicou que, nas condições empregadas, a utilização da Tuia não favoreceu a regressão ou restrição no desenvolvimento das lesões de pele promovidas pela infecção experimental.