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| REMINISCENCE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 10
| Issue : 3 | Page : 211-213 |
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Learning from the past: Review of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy Quarterly Bulletin 1998 (volume 20) and 1999 (volume 21)
Manjula Narang Kapoor
Senior Research Fellow, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India
| Date of Web Publication | 11-Aug-2016 |
Correspondence Address:
Manjula Narang Kapoor
Senior Research Fellow, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-7168.188243
How to cite this article:
Kapoor MN. Learning from the past: Review of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy Quarterly Bulletin 1998 (volume 20) and 1999 (volume 21). Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2016;10:211-3 |
How to cite this URL:
Kapoor MN. Learning from the past: Review of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy Quarterly Bulletin 1998 (volume 20) and 1999 (volume 21). Indian J Res Homoeopathy [serial online] 2016 [cited 2023 Mar 28];10:211-3. Available from: https://www.ijrh.org/text.asp?2016/10/3/211/188243 |
| Author's Note | |  |
"If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday" was rightly stated by Pearl S Buck. A brief recapitulation of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy Quarterly Bulletin (CCRH), volume 20 and 21, will not only unfold the researches done by the council previously but also enable the readers to learn from the wisdom of their predecessors.
Volume 20 (1-2)
Screening of homoeopathic drugs for hypoglycemic activity: An experimental approach
Sundaram E. N. in this study investigated the possible hypoglycemic properties of ten homoeopathic drugs/preparations using rabbits as the animal model. Diabetes was induced in the rabbits by injecting alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally. Hyperglycemic rabbits were administered test drugs, vehicles, and saline at the dose level of 0.15 ml/kg body weight according to the group allocated. The overall result of this experimental model suggested that the potencies of the drugs Pterocarpus marsupium and Cephalandra indica in Q and 3X, Momordica charantia and Chionanthus virginica in Q, Uranium nitricum in 3X and 6X, and Alloxan in 6X, 30,200,1M produced a significant fall in blood sugar levels in diabetic animals whereas Bryonia alba and Gymnema sylvestre in Q and 3X, Iodium and Phosphorous in 6 and 30, and undynamized preparations of alloxan in 6X, 30,200,1M potencies did not show any hypoglycemic effect.
Anti-tetanus activity of Hypericum perforatum: An experimental approach
This study was carried out by Kumar S. and Singh D. M. to evaluate anti-tetanus potential of Hypericum perforatum in experimental mice. It was observed that the drug in 30 and 200 potencies at a dose level of 50 μL/100 g b.w. discerned statistically significant protective response to a tetanic dose of strychnine when compared to vehicle/saline/six potencies of test drug-treated groups. Parallel studies with 6 mg/100 g b.w. phenobarbitone sodium administration gave a similar protective response as observed in H. perforatum in 30 and 200 potencies.
Research studies in filaria
This is a report by Mishra N. on the study carried out at the Homoeopathic Research Institute, Puri, comprising 352 fresh cases who had filarial attacks but not marked chronic pathology. The aim of the study was to observe the success of homoeopathic therapy in containing these cases from developing chronic irreversible lymphedema if treated early. Remarkable results were achieved after a follow-up period of 1-3 years as 281 cases out of 352 did not develop lymphedema at all. The remedy that came out to be most effective was Rhus tox followed by Sulphur.
Additions to a checklist of homoeopathic plants of India
Rajan et al. presented this paper, wherein forty species belonging to 36 genera and 28 families of the taxa used in the homoeopathic system of medicine found in Indian subcontinent were analyzed for addition to "A checklist of homoeopathic medicinal plants of India," published by CCRH. The nomenclature of all the taxa was updated, and synonyms from various homoeopathic books/journals were cited along with valid names wherever required. This treatise provided comprehensive and authentic knowledge of particular plants used in homoeopathic system of medicine and its distribution in India.
Workshop on diabetes mellitus and its homoeopathic treatment: A report
A three-day "workshop on diabetes mellitus and its homoeopathic treatment" was organized by the CCRH on August 10, 1998, with a grant-in-aid from the WHO. The aim of this workshop was to disseminate up-to-date information related to the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. The 1 st day was totally devoted to the knowledge of the disease. Ram B. K. initiated the session by giving introduction and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in detail, followed by Satvik V. and Kaur T. discussing the diagnostic investigations and dietetic management of diabetes mellitus, respectively. The main speaker of the 2 nd day was Humranwala P., who distinctively explained through case presentations, ways of differentiating similar looking drugs. On the 3 rd day, other three speakers presented their cases and suggested homoeopathic medicines with rare indications in diabetes mellitus.
Volume 20 (3-4)
Diabetes mellitus and Homoeopathy
The authors Sharma A. and Oberai P. compacted all the programs undertaken by the CCRH in research on diabetes in their paper. Under the drug research program, they reported an experiment conducted on alloxan-induced diabetes rats to establish the therapeutic action of homoeopathic drugs vis-à-vis their toxicological and pharmacological spectra. It was revealed that C. indica Q and Absinthium D1/Resina laricis D3 exhibit perceptible hypoglycemic activity, Syzygium jambolanum Q was found toxic, and Abroma augusta Q has mild hypoglycemic effect. Clinical verification of C. indica, Gymnema sylvestre, Abroma Augusta, and Syzygium jambolanum was done. The results validated the symptomatology of diabetes mellitus evolved from the pathogenetic trial of Abroma augusta. A clinical research study was carried out on 204 patients of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus to verify the hypoglycemic effects of C. indica Q. One hundred and two cases showed varying degrees of improvement, both symptomatic and in blood sugar level after the administration of C. indica Q.
The salient features of tribal health problems in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Poddar A. in this paper has presented the scenario of the indigenous tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The author has specifically studied and elaborated the prevalent health problems among the Great Andamanese, Onge, Shompen, Nicobarese, Jarawa, and Sentinelese tribes. Infant and child mortality rates are alarming due to the high prevalence of undernutrition and anemia among Great Andamanese. Helminthic infestations such as Trichuris trichiura were frequently found among the Onge tribe. Shompen tribe was relatively healthier among others; however, unbalanced sex ratio poses a threat to future existence of the community. It was observed from a comprehensive health survey that osteoarthritis of the hip and knee was very common among Nicobarese tribe. Very little was known about the health status of the other two tribes because of their isolation from the modern civilization.
Pharmacognosy: Its significance and perspectives in homoeopathic drug research in India
Pharmacognosy is a branch of science that deals with the history, distribution, cultivation, collection, selection, preparation, commerce, evaluation, identification, preservation, and use of drugs. Rao P. P. in this paper explains how the factors such as climate, temperature, rainfall, and altitude influence drug production. The author also highlights the importance of the evaluation of crude drug through the identification of raw drug and determination of quality and purity. The methods employed to evaluate are organoleptic, microscopic, biological, physical, and chemical. About 96 drugs had been pharmacognostically worked out in the Drug Standardisation Unit, Hyderabad, till 1998.
In another paper, Rao P. P. and Rajagopal T. in view of the potential therapeutic value of Cytisus scoparius as heart tonic, diuretic, and cardiac and respiratory stimulant undertook the pharmacognostic study of its young stems. They presented the histochemistry, microscopic characters, preliminary color reactions, and ultraviolet (UV) studies of C. scoparius in their paper to lay down the standards for preparation of this drug.
Clinical research study on Japanese encephalitis
During the epidemic of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in October 1991, Belladonna was worked out as genus epidemicus based on the epidemiological investigations conducted by the CCRH in four districts of Uttar Pradesh. A single dose of Belladonna 200 was distributed as a preventive drug to 322,812 persons in 96 villages. Follow-up of 39,250 patients revealed no signs and symptoms in this population. However, by 1998, Gorakhpur in Eastern Uttar Pradesh had become endemic for JE. Based on the study conducted in 1991, a preliminary controlled study to analyze the effects of Belladonna as prophylactic in JE was initiated. A unit was setup in Gorakhpur, and protocol was formulated with defined parameters to conduct the study. The protocol is presented by Sharma A. and Oberai P. in this paper.
Volume 21 (1-2)
This special issue of the bulletin on "Wheezing Syndrome" presented the activities of the Clinical Research Unit, Shimla, on the assigned project on bronchial asthma in a synoptic form. A study on 331 patients of asthma showed that simultaneous use of homoeopathic medicines with bronchodilator drugs and inhalers is not only effective but also perhaps the only method to treat drug-dependent patients, and allopathic medicines can be gradually withdrawn in a tapering off manner. The author Sharma S. R. further in his synopsis detailed about bronchial asthma, its triggering factors, and its management along with the case reports.
Koppikar S. P. in another paper of this issue has concisely given the postures or expressions of forty homoeopathic remedies in acute asthmatic situations, which are almost definite pictures of their respective patients.
Patel R. P. in his paper entitled, "Bronchial Asthma, A study with reference to repertory in the selection of drug(s)" listed the pathognomonic as well as the nonpathognomonic/uncommon rubrics of the disease followed by ranking of drugs which are coming out prominently from the study of common and uncommon rubrics.
Volume 21 (3-4)
Placebo therapy/iatrotherapy
It is a literary review presented by Shaw R., wherein he tried to bring forth the excerpts on iatrotherapy. He began by giving the glimpse of the meaning of the word "placebo" and how it had cropped in the medical literature. The article quoted dictum of various authors of medicine about the placebo effects, evolution of placebo therapy, and mode of placebo effect. He also discusses that ethical implications must be considered when the effects of new drugs are assessed in controlled trials.
Study of antifertility effects of some homoeopathic drugs in experimental animals: A preliminary trial
This study intended at finding a safe, acceptable, and inexpensive homoeopathic medicine with antifertility properties. Sundaram E. N. investigated the antifertility effects of six homoeopathic drugs (Juniperus sabina, Viburnum opulus, Azadirachta indica, Achyranthes aspera, Crocus sativus, and Caulophyllum in Q) for their antiovulatory and anti-implantation effects in female rats and four drugs (Lycopodium, Turnera diffusa, Sabal serrulata, Vitex agnus-castus in Q) for their antispermatogenic activities in male mice. The results obtained from this preliminary study indicated that homoeopathic drugs possess antifertility activities in experimental rats.
Phytochemical standardization of Acorus calamus Linn
Acorus calamus L. is a semiaquatic perennial aromatic herb that produces creeping rhizomes similar to ginger. Because of its important medicinal value in the clinical conditions of diarrhea, dysentery, kidney, liver, and skin troubles, the phytochemical standardization of A. calamus was done at the Homoeopathic Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, by the CCRH to lay down a standard for raw drugs and finished products. Subramanian et al. attempted to study the physicochemical constants, chromatography, and UV absorbance of A. calamus and concluded that the drug can be easily identified and differentiated by these parameters.
Financial Support and Sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of Interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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