Background: Based on the results of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy's previous study, wherein Sepia was indicated and prescribed in maximum number of cases, this study was planned to further validate efficacyof Sepia in the management of menopausal symptoms. Objectives: The study was conducted with the objectives of evaluating the efficacy of homoeopathic medicine – Sepia in the management of menopausal symptoms using 'The Greene Climacteric Scale' (GCS) and the quality of life using Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) scale. Materials and Methods: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted from April 2012 to September 2014 at four research centres of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Perimenopausal cases were screened (n = 471), and those fulfilling the eligibility criteria (n = 88) were enrolled and randomised to receive either homoeopathic intervention, i.e., Sepia (n = 44) or identical placebo (n = 44) and followed up for 6 months to assess them on predefined clinical parameters. The primary outcome was the change in the menopausal complaints assessed using GCS and the secondary outcome measure was change in UQOL scale. Results: Eighty-eight patients were considered for primary outcome analysis. The primary outcome measure, i.e., total score of GCS, when compared after 6 months, was reduced from 30.23 ± 8.1 to 7.86 ± 4.6 in Sepia group (improvement of 73.9%) and from 30.05 ± 8.9 to 12.73 ± 8.3 in placebo group (improvement of 57.63%) (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between both the groups, when compared after 6 months (P = 0.001). With respect to secondary outcome, the total UQOL score was 59.09 ± 7.74 for Sepia group and 57.39 ± 7.80 for placebo group at baseline, and 62.43±7.71 for Sepia group and 63.48±7.53 for placebo group after treatment indicating slight difference in quality of life after 6 months. Conclusion: Sepia is able to allay the menopausal symptoms when prescribed on symptomatic indications as per homoeopathic principles.

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Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by non-scarring hair loss in single or multiple areas of the scalp. The disease affects hair on the head or other parts of the body. AA occurs in people of all ages and affects 1-2% of human population. Homoeopathic literature shows that cases of AA have been treated successfully with homoeopathic medicines. Case Summary: This is the case of an 11 years old boy with alopecia areata. The case presented here is documented from Dermatology clinic at Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy at Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. The patient was treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine over a period of 3 years. There was significant improvement with homoeopathic treatment, with complete disappearance of bald patches without any recurrence.

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Introduction: This is a case of multimorbidity in a 35-year-old patient suffering from hepatic hemagioma with ovarian cyst. There was hepatomegaly with multiple well-defined homogenously echogenic nodular lesion (largest nodule of size 1.64 X 1.64 cm) in both lobes of liver suggestive of haemangioma. The right ovarian cyst was 2.26 X 1.25 cm in size with pelvic congestion syndrome. Case Summary: This case was treated with individualized homoeopathy for a period of 5 months at the outpatient department (OPD) of Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Agartala. Homoeopathic medicine Pulsatilla, was given to the patient on the basis of individualistic approach. The patient not only improved in her presenting complaints but also there was change in diagnostic parameters. Post treatment outcome corroborated with follow up laboratory investigations that showed significant changes. Ultrasonography revealed no obvious abnormality after homoeopathic treatment with improvement in pelvic congestion syndrome. This case report suggests that a correctly chosen homoeopathic medicine can be beneficial even in complicated and unusual cases.

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Background: Gout is an inflammatory arthritis associated with hyperuricaemia and intra-articular monosodium urate crystals, resulting in pain, activity limitation, disability and impact on patients' quality of life. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of individualised homoeopathic medicines in serum uric acid level and quality of life in patients suffering from gout. Methods: A prospective, single-arm, non-randomised, open-label, observational trial was conducted on 32 adults suffering from gout (diagnosed as per the American College of Rheumatology–European League Against Rheumatism gout classification criteria) at the Outpatient Department of The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Serum uric acid level was the primary outcome (baseline vs. 3 months); Gout Assessment Questionnaire v2.0 (GAQ2; baseline vs. 3 months) and Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile v2.0 (MYMOP2; baseline, every month and up to 3 months) were the secondary outcomes. Intention-to-treat sample (n = 32) was analysed in SPSS^®IBM^® version 20. Results: The mean age of patients was 47.6 years; the male: female ratio was 5:3. Both serum uric acid level (mg/dl) (7.6 ± 1.4 vs. 6.0 ± 1.5; mean reduction: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.1, P < 0.001, Student's t-test) and GAQ2 total score (45.0 ± 9.1 vs. 21.0 ± 14.0; mean reduction: 24.0, 95% CI 19.1, 29.0, P < 0.001, Student's t-test) reduced significantly over 3 months. MYMOP2 scores obtained longitudinally at four different time points also revealed statistically significant reductions (P < 0.001, one-way repeated measures ANOVA). The most frequently indicated medicine was Benzoicum acidum. Conclusion: This study, though preliminary, revealed a positive treatment effect of individualised homoeopathic medicines in alleviating the symptoms of gout and improving the quality of life. More studies like randomised controlled trials with greater scientific rigour are warranted.

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Background: Homoeopathic medicines are traditionally potentized by serial dilution followed by succussion. Respective roles of these two components need to be assessed and explored for which the present study was undertaken. Objective: To compare the effect of the medicine Cuprum metallicum (Cup. met.) potentised through both serial dilution and succussion with succussion alone on selected biological and physical systems. Method: Starting with the medicine Cup. met. at 6C, we potentized it further to 30C and 200 C by serial dilution, followed by succussion (Set A). The same medicine at 6C was also potentized to 30C and 200C by using succussion alone (Set B). The antibacterial property of these two sets was compared on E. coli, a biological system and electrical properties on polymer matrix PVDF-HFP (widely used as charge separator) a physical system. Results: Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy shows that the particles get more agglomerated at higher potency in Set B. Antibacterial effect of Cup. met. in Set B at 30C and 200C was observed to be more significant as compared to Set A. Effect of Cup. met. on polymer matrix in Set A varied significantly with the potency as compared to Set B wherein less beta phase crystallization was produced followed by no significant change in electrical properties. Conclusion: Comparison of results using the medicine Cup. met. in two experimental set ups shows that serial dilution with succussion makes an important difference between the two sets.

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Background: Malaria officinalis, a Homoeopathic preparation used against malaria, was prepared from decomposed vegetable matter from a marshy area by G. W. Bowen in 1862. No scientific published material is available on the source of any malaria-related nosode. There is a need to develop the new nosode using the organisms. The author has developed the nosode from Plasmodium falciparum parasites, and the detailed method of preparation is described in this manuscript. Objective: Preparation and standardisation of Homoeopathic nosode prepared from P. falciparum parasites, which could be explored for further research and therapeutic efficacy. Materials and Methods: The most widely cultivated strain of malaria parasite P. falciparum was collected from Indian Institute of Technology-B (Mumbai). This parasite was triturated with nine parts of Saccharum lactis powder to achieve 1X potency. One part of 1X potency and nine parts of Saccharum lactis powder were taken to make subsequent 2X potency. Likewise, potencies till 6X were prepared by trituration method, prescribed in Homoeopathy pharmacopeia of India (HPI). Results: Nosode from P. falciparum strain was prepared by trituration method as prescribed in HPI and standardised for future research and clinical exploration. Conclusion: The nosode sourced from P. falciparum parasites will be one such addition, which will call for further exploration for its effect against malaria (and other diseases) as a prophylactic and therapeutic measure.

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