Background and Objectives: Dyslipidemia refers to the derangements of one or many of the lipoproteins; elevations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and/or triglycerides (TGL), or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol while elevation of lipoproteins alone is labeled as “hyperlipidemia.” It is a lifestyle disorder of concern today. Statins, fibrates, or a combination of statins with fibrates or niacin have been suggested for their beneficial role in lowering LDL-cholesterol levels, TGL, and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels, but with their adverse effects. Based on the positive results of few studies in the past, this protocol is designed to evaluate the effect of individualized homoeopathic medicines along with therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) on serum LDL-cholesterol levels. Materials and Methods: The study will be a multicentric, open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory trial. Patients shall be randomized to Homoeopathy or placebo group of intervention using computerized randomization chart. The period of treatment cum follow-up shall be for 6 months. TLC shall be given to both the groups. Primary outcome measure will be to evaluate the changes in LDL-cholesterol levels at 3^rd and 6^th month from baseline. Discussion: The study shall help in generating evidence about the role of homoeopathic intervention in dyslipidemia and also help in bringing about behavioral change in people about the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Background and Aim: Students in homoeopathic colleges are often encouraged to participate in drug proving programs. There is no valid and reliable instrument for identifying their concerns. Therefore, an instrument has been designed and tested to identify knowledge, attitude, practice, and beliefs (KAPB) of homoeopathic students. This can be used for motivating students to participate in drug proving programs. Design and Methods: First, the questionnaire items were identified by a telephonic interview with investigators of drug proving program. The questionnaire was pilot tested on interns of a homoeopathic college to identify its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and face and construct validity. A survey using this instrument followed by training of homoeopathic medical students was conducted, and the change in KAPB was also assessed. Results: A questionnaire of 28 questions testing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices was developed with Cronbach's α =0.71 for the entire scale. Students were of the opinion that with participation in proving studies, homoeopathic Materia Medica will develop, which will be their contribution to Homoeopathy. Students will be personally benefitted by having an experiential knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge of philosophy. Although the majority is aware that proving does not cause long-term damage to health, nor does it cause irreversible pathological change, a major concern is the development of severe or unmanageable symptoms. Students can be motivated to participate in proving programs by re-enforcing that it will be a unique experience, assuring them about that no acute unmanageable symptoms are likely to develop.

Background: Oxidative stress ensues due to the imbalance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species. Chronic hyperglycemia along with oxidative stress plays major role in aggravation of chronic disorders such as diabetes and its related complications. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Gymnema sylvestre L. against oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Potencies of G. Sylvestre were procured from Dr. Willmar Schwabe India Pvt. Ltd. In vitro antioxidative potential of G. sylvestre was evaluated by employing various in vitro antioxidant methods. Results: The total phenol content was found to be 2124, 998 and 546 mg/g Gallic Acid Equivalents in Mother tincture, 6C and 30C of G. sylvestre and total antioxidant capacity was found to be 2940,802 and 559 μM/g ascorbic acid equivalents respectively. Mother tincture, 6C and 30C of G. sylvestre were found to have strong reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and superoxide radical scavenging activity. Percentage inhibition of advanced glycation end-products formation by Mother tincture, 6C and 30C of G. sylvestre (10-50 μl) was found to be 38.66 to 95.80%, 30.93 to 81.48% and 31.34 to 60.92% respectively. Mother tincture, 6C and 30C of G. sylvestre showed an inhibitory effect against sorbitol accumulation with inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value 27.55 μl, 197.96 μl and 1.009 ml respectively whereas in aldose reductase inhibition assay, the IC₅₀value of 28.10 μl, 159.71 μl and 0.82 ml respectively. Conclusion: These results suggested that Homoeopathic preparations of G. Sylvestre had potent antioxidant and antiglycation activity.

Context: Clinical verification is an ongoing research program of the Council that verified many rare homoeopathic drugs. Aims: To clinically verify the symptomatology of Mygale lasiodora by ascertaining the symptoms improved during verification. Settings and Design: In this multicenter observational study, 166 patients were enrolled after matching with the available drug symptomatology and specified eligibility criteria. The medicine was prescribed in 6C, 30C, 200C, and 1M potencies, as per homoeopathic principles. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were presented in terms of descriptive statistics. Results: One sixty-six cases were analyzed; male/female: 105/61; mean age 29.13 years. There were “clinical successes” in 104 cases and failures in 62, judged subjectively by the physicians. A minimum of two prescriptions was considered for pick-listing each symptom as a rule of thumb. The number of symptoms verified was as follows: proving symptoms (n = 18), symptoms from other literature (n = 16), and new observations (n = 47). The data were presented as mean, standard deviations, N (%), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Conclusions: Total 34 available symptoms were verified, and 47 new symptoms were identified. Cautious interpretation is necessary. Further replication on larger sample and estimation of likelihood ratio, in general, practice settings in prospective Bayesian approach is necessary before inclusion of the symptoms in homoeopathic literature.

The importance of high serum total cholesterol and high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as a risk factor for coronary artery diseases is well established. Statin is the first-line of treatment for dyslipidemia and there are known side effects of statin therapy. This study reviews the existing information available in Homoeopathy (research and traditional knowledge) for managing dyslipidemia. No rigid inclusion has been kept due to scarcity of evidence-based literature. Preclinical and clinical studies (case records to controlled trials) are included. A comprehensive search from major biomedical databases including National Medical Library (PubMed), AYUSH PORTAL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was conducted using the search term “dyslipidemia,” “atherosclerosis,” “arteriosclerosis,” “atheroma” along with “Homoeopathy.” In addition, efforts were made to search authoritative texts of authors, such homoeopathic Materia Medica, repertory, etc. Relevant research was categorized by study type and appraised according to study type and design. Four preclinical, three observational studies, and two case records were identified. From literary search, medicines commonly used in Materia Medica and drugs of Indian origin were noted. There are positive leads in managing patients suffering from dyslipidemia. However, more well-designed studies are warranted to generate effectiveness/efficacy of Homoeopathy.

A 46-year-old woman consulted for right-sided deep vein thrombosis in external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral and popliteal veins with extension along with postthrombotic syndrome. After homoeopathic consultation, she was prescribed Argentum nitricum in ascending LM potencies. Symptomatic relief was reported within 2 weeks of treatment, and gradually the quality of life improved after simultaneous reduction in pain due to other complaints of sciatica and osteoarthrosis. Venous Doppler studies repeated a year later showed complete resolution of the medical condition with homoeopathic drug therapy alone. The physical examination also revealed a reduction in limb circumference.

Adverse side effects of chemotherapy during cancer treatment have shifted considerable focus towards therapies that are not only targeted but are also devoid of toxic side effects. We evaluated the antitumorigenic activity of sulphur, and delineated the molecular mechanisms underlying sulphurinduced apoptosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. A search for the underlying mechanism revealed that the choice between the two cellular processes, NFκBp65-mediated survival and p53-mediated apoptosis, was decided by the competition for a limited pool of transcriptional coactivator protein p300 in NSCLC cells. In contrast, sulphur inhibited otherwise upregulated survival signaling in NSCLC cells by perturbing the nuclear translocation of p65NFκB, its association with p300 histone acetylase, and subsequent transcription of Bcl-2. Under such anti-survival condition, induction of p53-p300 cross-talk enhanced the transcriptional activity of p53 and intrinsic mitochondrial death cascade. Overall, the findings of this preclinical study clearly delineated the molecular mechanism underlying the apoptogenic effect of the non-toxic homeopathic remedy, sulphur, in NSCLC cells.