Background: Aluminum toxicity is the most important factor limiting the growth of plants in acid soils, whereas current treatments are unfeasible. For this reason, alternatives are sought for, among which homoeopathic treatment. Aims: This study aimed at evaluating the influence of homoeopathic preparations Alumina 6cH, Alumina 12cH, Calcarea carbonica 6cH and Calcarea carbonica 12cH on the germination and vigor of lettuce seeds subjected to toxic levels of aluminum in paper-solution. At the same time, it was sought to develop a new procedure to apply homoeopathic preparations in plants (pelleting). Methods: The statistical design was entirely randomized (CRD) with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions. Treatments included: 1) pelleted seeds/talc + Alumina 6 cH; 2) pelleted seeds/talc + Alumina 12cH; 3) pelleted seed/talc + Calcarea carb 6cH; 4) pelleted seeds/talc + Calcarea carb12cH; 5) pelleted seeds/talc + distilled water; 6) non pelleted seeds (control). Variables evaluated were: germination percentage (GP), germination speed index (GSI) and radicle length (RL). Results: There was significant difference in GSI and RL - variables that reflect the vigor of seeds - between the samples treated with homoeopathic preparations and the controls Conclusions: Homoeopathic preparations Alumina 6cH and 12cH and Calcarea carbonica 6cH and 12cH had significant effect on the vigor of lettuce seeds subjected to stress conditions.

Objective: To elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Asclepias currasavica in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human beings. Methodology: Drug Asclepias currasavica was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy through randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at four centers. The drug was proved in two potencies (6C and 30C) on 67 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after conducting pre-trial medical examination by the medical specialists and routine laboratory investigations. In the first phase volunteers were given 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of placebo. In the next two phases 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of each potency or placebo were consumed. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers and elaborated by the Proving Masters. The data obtained from all the four centers was compiled at proving-cum-data processing cell at CCRH headquarters after de- coding. Observations: Out of the 44 provers who were on actual drug trial, 21 manifested symptoms. Drug was able to produce symptoms in both the potencies more or less related to every part of the body. Conclusion: The pathogenetic responses elicited during the proving trial expands the scope of use of the drug Asclepias currasavica and will benefit the research scholars and clinicians. These symptoms will carry more value when verified clinically.

Syzygium jambos, a small tree belonging to the family Myrtaceae is a potential drug in Homoeopathy. The drug is useful in clinical conditions like acne, pimples, nausea, comedones, headache, heartburn, abdominal colic, diarrhoea and fever. The seeds are up to 2.5 cm long, ellipsoid to oblong, narrowed at middle. Seed coat is rough, thick, sclerotic and papery, made of tangentially elongated lignified cells with dense contents and separating from the endosperm. Cortex is 20 - 40 layered, interspersed with groups of sclerenchyma fibers. The endosperm possess large secretory cavities in the hypodermal areas. The endosperm is filled with starch grains often encapsulated in the plastids. A few tracheary bundles are present in the endosperm. Powder microscopical and organoleptic characters are presented. Physico-chemical parameters of raw drugs viz., extractive values, ash values, formulation, besides wt. per mL, total solids, alcohol content and TLC and UV studies are given for the mother tincture.

Abstract : Sn open multicentre clinical trial was aimed to evolve the usefulness of a group of homoeopathic medicines in the management of acute tracheobronchitis with regard to improvement in its symptom complex. Patients presenting coryza with irritable dry or productive cough, oppression chest and neutrophillic leucocytosis were enrolled in the study from October 2005 to September 2008. Severity of patients' disease condition was evaluated as per tracheobronchitis symptom scale. Symptoms of disease as well as characteristic symptoms of individual patients were considered for selection of medicine from a group of 14 trial medicines. Selected medicine was prescribed in 6C potency (10-12 dilution) and was repeated from few minutes to few hours, as per the need of each case. There was significant reduction in the symptom score within 24 hours of starting the treatment (p = 0.000 < .05). At the end of study follow up, 91% of the patients reported either cured or markedly improved. Phosphorus (n = 58), Arsenicum album (n = 52), Bryonia alba (n = 21) and Pulsatilla nigricans (n = 16) were found most commonly indicated and useful medicines. It is inferred from this study that homoeopathy has a positive role in the management of acute tracheobronchitis but the trial may be repeated in better study design settings to make the study acceptable to the scientific community.

The rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line is widely applied as a model system to study a variety of neuronal functions. Upon addition of nerve growth factor (NGF), these cells undergo differentiation characterized by an increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and extension of neurite-like processes. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bellis perennis (Be) and Hypericum perforatum (Hy) (6C and 30C) on healthy neuronal cells. Both homeopathic medicines have been studied at three different concentrations of 2 μl/ml, 4 μl/ml and 8 μl/ml for 96 h in PC12 cells differentiated with NGF. The cell viability was tested by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and NRU (Neutral Red Uptake). To observe the oxidative damage and evaluate the antioxidative status after exposure to homeopathic medicines, the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) level, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), AcetylCholine Esterase (AChE), Na+K+ATPase and Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) were assayed. These results were compared with positive control (90% alcohol). The content of LPO was significantly decreased in drug treated groups as compared to positive control while the level of GSH was significantly increased. The activities of all other enzymes were significantly restored in drug treated groups as compared to positive control. In conclusion, these medicines have preventive role on differentiated PC 12 cells.

Introduction: Clinical verification programme is an ongoing research programme of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy since its inception, under which many Indian and rarely used drugs in Homoeopathy have been undertaken. Alfalfa is a flowering plant and known for its use as a medicine in toning up the appetite and digestion and favorably influencing nutrition. Disorders like anorexia, nervousness, insomnia, diabetes, lethargy and malnutrition are mainly within its therapeutic range. The Council had undertaken an observational study on Alfalfa from October 2005 to March 2010, to determine its therapeutic effect through clinical verification. Objectives: The primary objective was to clinically verify the symptomatology of Alfalfa as observed during the proving conducted by the Council on this drug and the secondary objective was to ascertain the clinical symptoms. Methods: In this multicentre study, a total of 169 patients from all age groups and both sexes were enrolled from the OPDs of respective institutes and units of the Council following the exclusion and inclusion criteria as per protocol. The informed written consents from the patients were also taken. Their presenting signs and symptoms were recorded in a predefined case recording proforma. Thereafter, on repertorising the symptoms of each patient, if Alfalfa was found to be the similimum or very closely similar to the symptoms of the patient, then the case was enrolled. The medicine was prescribed in different potencies like 6c, 30c and 200c in ascending order, as per the need of the case and in accordance with homoeopathic principles. The progress was noted in follow up sheets to determine the effect of the medicine. Result: The result obtained from the enrolled patients was analysed after the conclusion of the study. It was found that many of the symptoms obtained by proving of the drug (conducted by the Council) were present in the patients clinically and thus stood verified. Apart from these, some clinical symptoms (symptoms which were not exhibited during the proving of the Alfalfa, but got cured in the sick, after the administration of the medicine) were also emerged during the study, exploring the wider area of the medicine for its therapeutic use. Fifty five symptoms of Alfalfa, including its proving symptoms (obtained by the Council), were verified during the study and most of these symptoms were of gastrointestinal system, respiratory & nervous system, head, back and sleep. The essence of the medicine lies in its properties like digestive, antiinflammatory, neurotic and antipyretic. Conclusion: Alfalfa may be considered as a remedy for various clinical conditions like anorexia, coryza, depression, dry cough, fever, headache, irritability, lethargy, sleeplessness, sneezing, cervical pain and weakness. Since Fifty five proving symptoms of the drug were verified during the study, it may be concluded that the drug symptoms were amply verified.