An analytical study to establish the role of Calendula Q as a topical wound dressing in partial-thickness burn wound

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Calendula officinalis in the wound healing of burn wound in comparison with standard povidone-iodine solution. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study with 3 weeks of intervention and follow-up was conducted at the Department of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Safdarjung Hospital and VMMC, New Delhi, in collaboration with Homeopathic Treatment Centre, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018. The patients between 15 and 60 years of age reporting to the burns outpatient department with burn wounds due to thermal bums having the involvement of 5%–20% of total body surface area within 24 h of injury were randomized to either the Calendula (n = 20) or Betadine (n = 20) group. Results: There was no significant difference between the Calendula and Betadine groups, however, by day 14, 75% of cases in the Calendula group showed 80% and above epithelization as compared to 45.0% of cases in the Betadine group. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the wound discharges between the two groups but 95% had no discharge by the 14th day in the Calendula group as compared with 65% in the Betadine group. The Calendula group had a reduced incidence of wound infection when compared with Betadine. Conclusion: Therefore, Calendula dressing had a positive influence in early epithelization, better control of wound discharge, and lesser infections but these need to be evaluated on adequate sample size for a definite outcome

Evaluation of homoeopathic treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study

Background and Objectives: This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating efficacy of Homoeopathy in establishing the menstrual regularity with improvement in either ultrasonological findings or hirsutism/acne. The quality of life was also assessed using polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ). Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted from February 2014 to May 2015 at two research centres. The cases fulfilling the eligibility criteria were enrolled (n = 60) and randomised to either the homoeopathic intervention (HI) (n = 30) or identical placebo (P) (n = 30) with uniform lifestyle modification (LSM) for 6 months. Results: The menstrual regularity with improvement in other signs/symptoms was observed in 60% of the cases (n = 18) in HI + LSM group and none (n = 0) in control group (P = 0.001). Statistically significant difference (P = 0.016) was observed in reduction of intermenstrual duration (from 76.1 ± 37.7 to 46.6 ± 38.7 days) in HI + LSM in comparison to placebo + LSM group (from 93.0 ± 65.2 to 93.9 ± 96.2 days). In PCOSQ, also, significant improvement was observed in HI group in domains of weight, fertility, emotions and menstrual problems (P < 0.05) with no difference in body hair (P = 0.708). No change was observed in respect of improvement in the ultrasound findings. Pulsatilla was the most frequently indicated medicine (n = 12, 40%). Conclusion: HI along with LSM has shown promising outcome; further comparative study with standard conventional treatment on adequate sample size is desirable

A randomised comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment -vs- standard allopathy treatment for acute adenolymphangitis due to lymphatic filariasis

Objective: The primary objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment with standard allopathic regimen in acute ADL and secondary objective was to assess the reduction in frequency, duration and intensity of subsequent attacks, improvement of the quality of life of patients. Methods: The study was designed as a comparative randomized trial conducted from October 2012 to April 2014, on 112 patients at Regional Research Institute, Puri, Odisha. The ADL patients enrolled were randomized to receive either homoeopathic treatment or standard allopathic treatment for a period of six months. The outcome parameters used were ADL score and WHO QOL Bref. Results: 112 Patients were considered for primary outcome analysis as per the Intention to treat principle. (Homoeopathy= 55 and Allopathy= 57) and were analysed on 11th day of treatment. Both the treatments produced equal improvement in ADL scores. However, during the six months study period, the frequency, duration and intensity of attacks were better in Homoeopathy group compared to allopathy group. There was statistically significant improvement in Homoeopathy for Domain 4 of WHOQOL (P = 0.004) as compared to allopathy group. Medicines like Apismellifica (n = 23), Rhus toxicodendron (n = 20), Pulsatilla (n = 8), Arsenic album (n = 1), Bryonia alba (n = 1), Silicea (n = 1) and Hepar sulph (n = 1) were found most useful in the acute attacks. Conclusion: This study provides evidence to support the fact that individualized homoeopathy treatment is equally effective for ADL as the standard allopathy treatment in the management of ADL