Background and Objective: Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) is a chronic illness marked by dependence on alcohol consumption. It interferes with health, social as well as family life and job responsibilities. Based on the experience of an observational single-arm study with positive outcomes, this protocol is being implemented to compare the effectiveness of homoeopathic intervention with standard allopathic treatment. Materials and Methods: This will be a randomized controlled open-label comparative trial. Patients will be randomized to receive either Homoeopathy or Allopathy group of intervention using computerized randomization chart. The period of treatment cum follow up shall be for 1 year. Supportive counseling shall be given to both the groups. Primary outcome will be more than 50% reduction in 'Severity of Alcohol Dependence (SADQ)' rating scale in comparison to baseline at the exit of treatment of 1 year and secondary outcomes will comprise of changes in World Health Organisation quality of life -BREF(WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and at end of the study, management of detoxification shall be done using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar). Further changes in alcohol consumption pattern in terms of quantity and frequency shall be assessed. Discussion: The study shall help in designing further rigorous randomized controlled trial (RCT)/pragmatic study with homoeopathic intervention.

Background: Plectranthus fruticosus (Benth.) Wight ex Hook. f, syn. P. deccanicus Brinq. is an under shrub belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Leaves and young stems of this plant are used as medicine in Homoeopathy. Objective: To carry out pharmacognostic and physico - chemical studies to use authentic and correct species as standard raw materials to ensure purity, quality and its usefulness. Materials and Methods: The leaves and young aerial parts of Plectranthus fruticosus were fixed in formaldehyde: acetic acid alcohol (F.A.A), processed for microtomy (paraffin method), sectioned, stained and permanent slides prepared following Johansen. The microtome sections in T.S. and longitudinal section (L.S.) were obtained at 6-8 um thickness on Leica RM 2155 microtome. The powder microscopy characters were studied by boiling the powdered drug in distilled water, stained in saffranin and mounted with glycerine. Photomicrography was done with Olympus BX 53 research trinocular microscope. Results: The leaves are large, ovate to cordate, thin, margins with rounded serrations, surface coarse with dense covering hair. Petiole is long and stem is quadrangular with nodes. Trichomes are predominantly uniseriate, macroform, conical besides few uniseriate filiform peltate and capitate hairs. Lamina is conspicuously thin. The hypodermal collenchyma is angularly thickened. Vascular bundles in midvein are arranged in an 'arc'. Petiole is oblong to rounded, in transection (T.S.) and undulated. A ring of angular collenchyma is present. Cortical cells possess starch grains and crystals of calcium oxalate. A continuous vascular cylinder is present interrupted with 2-3 seriate medullary rays. The physicochemical properties and HPTLC fingerprints of this plant have been standardized. Conclusion: The powder microscopic features and organoleptic characters along with the anatomical and physico chemical studies including HPTLC fingerprints are diagnostic to establish the pharmacopoeial standards for the drug.

Introduction: Clinical verification is an ongoing research programme of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, under which many symptoms of Indian and rarely used drugs in Homoeopathy have been clinically verified. Objectives: To clinically verify the symptomatology of Ricinus communis as observed during its proving conducted by Council and also to ascertain the clinical symptoms relieved in the process of verification. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and twenty-five patients from all age-groups and both sexes were enrolled from the outpatient departments (OPDs) of the institutes and units of the Council following the exclusion and inclusion criteria as per protocol and obtaining written consent. The presenting signs and symptoms were recorded in a predefined case recording proforma and if Ricinus communis was found very closely similar to the symptoms of the patient, the patients were enrolled in the study. The medicine was prescribed in different potencies as per the need of the case and in accordance with homoeopathic principles. The progress was noted in a follow-up sheet to determine the effects of the medicine, in relieving the symptoms of the patient. Result: Forty eight out of fifty three symptoms obtained from proving of Ricinus communis could be clinically verified. The characteristic indications were left-sided affinity, aggravation from sun, amelioration in open air, dryness of mucous membrane of gastrointestinal tract, dissatisfaction leading to irritability and anger. The usefulness of the medicine was mostly marked in relieving headache, coryza, aphthae, gastritis, diarrhoea, constipation and acne. All the verified symptoms indicated the scope of its therapeutic action. Conclusion: Ricinus communis can be considered as an important medicine for the management of acne, aphthae, backache, colic, constipation, coryza, cough, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, fever, gastritis, headache and irritability.

Objective: Cerebral ischaemia is the third leading cause of death after cancer and myocardial infarction. The protective effect of some homoeopathic drugs has been studied in the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model of rat. Materials and Methods: The rats were pretreated with 200C potency once daily for 5 days orally (1 drop or 21 μl) and post treated after 24 hr of MCAO with 30C potency three times a day for 5 days orally (1 drop or 21 μl) with homoeopathic medicines Crotalus, Phosphorus, Arnica and Crocus. Results: The content of antioxidants, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) was elevated significantly whereas the level of Glutathione (GSH) was depleted significantly in the MCAO of rats as compared to the sham group. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Glutathione-S-Transferase were decreased significantly in MCAO group as compared to sham group. The medicines used on rats (pre and post treated in potencies of 200C and 30C respectively) have protected the activities of these enzymes significantly when compared with the animals of MCAO group. Conclusion: The study has shown that the homoeopathic drugs have protected most of the studied parameters significantly but further studies are required to comment on the mechanism and reproducibility of homoeopathic drugs.

Introduction: Azadirachta Indica (Aza.) has been used since decades in traditional medicine for the treatment of acne; even in Homoeopathy, it is recommended but its precise indications are still elusive. This study was undertaken to determine the usefulness of Azadirachta indica in the treatment of acne vulgaris and find its indications. Materials and Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, open-label interventional study was conducted after approval from ethical committee. Azadirachta indica was prescribed in raising potencies from 6C up to 1M. The observational period was of 6 months. Outcome measures were Lesion counts, Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score and Acne-specific Quality of Life questionnaire (Acne-QoL) score. Data was analyzed using paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Pearson's correlation tests. Results: Out of 31 enrolled participants, 29 completed the 6-months follow-up. Two subjects did not report after 2-3 months but were included under Intention-To-Treat (ITT). Though there were overall statistically significant results in respect of Lesion counts, GAGS and Acne QoL score (P < 0.001) but no effect was seen in inflammatory lesions. Conclusions: Azadirachta indica has a role in early and recovery phase of acne when inflammatory changes are least. Further study on a larger sample size is desirable. Trial is registered at Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01321645.

Background: Alcohol dependence is a common social problem which may be associated with other risk factors and co-morbidities. Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake may provoke an acute alcohol withdrawal phase with varying degrees of signs and symptoms. In conventional medical system, specific pharmacological interventions are used for management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW). There exists a need to explore safe and holistic treatment of AAW. The present work reports the results of a prospective, observational, exploratory, multicentre trial (2008-2011) to assess the role of Homoeopathy in AAW. Materials and Methods: Individualised Homoeopathy was given to 112 patients reporting with AAW. The clinical assessment was done for 05 days using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale of Alcohol-Revised (CIWA-Ar). Post-withdrawal phase, quality of life of patients was assessed at end of 01 ^st , 03 ^rd and 06 ^th month using World Health Organisation quality of life (WHOQOL)- BREF. Results and Analysis: There was a significant decrease in CIWA-Ar mean scores and increase in quality of life score (P < 0.001). The most common remedies used were Arsenicum album, Lycopodium clavatum, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. Conclusion: The results of current observational pilot study suggest the promising use of Homoeopathy in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal. Further studies with large sample size and rigorous design are warranted.

Gallstone formation is the most common disorder of the biliary tree. Surgical intervention is the choice of treatment in most of the cases. In many occasions, this surgical intervention can be avoided through proper homoeopathic treatment. This case of gallstone with prostatomegaly treated with homoeopathic medicines, reported here is such an example. After going through detailed case-taking and repertorization, initially Sulphur and later on Medorrhinum was prescribed based on symptom totality. The case has been cured in respect of both symptomatologically and pathologically as evident by follow up investigations.