EVOLUTION OF HOMOEOPATHIC POSOLOGY

Homoeopathy is based on the use of potentised remedies following the law of similia. It is the science of determining and understanding of dosage, as based on research into a huge number of factors. This article shows our sincere and humble attempts to focus on the historical development of posology and unfolding of dose and potency

AMELIORATION OF KARTAGENER SYNDROME BY HOMOEOPATHIC THERAPEUTIC AID

Background and Objective : Kartagener Syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal genetic disorder which cause a defect in the action of ‘cilia’, Swiss Physician Maneskartagener identified a cluster of symptoms in 1933 that include sinusitis, bronchiectasis, otitis etc. as well as situsinvertus. A patient, Mr. K. Paul, aged 40 years of Howrah, W.B., was suffering from KS with symptoms of breathlessness and productive cough for last few years. He was treated by different generations of antibiotics and inhalation of steroid with minimal improvement. With the recurrence of the above symptoms complexes, he switched over to Homoeopathic treatment on 04/10/2010 seeking better aid. Methods: Confirmation of diagnosis : By HRCT Scan of Lung shows bilateral lower and middle lobe bronchiectasis, USG of abdomen and CXR show situsinvertus of the organ and azospermia connotes the final diagnosis. Proper case taking and repertorization were done as per homoeopathy. Tuberculinum was the similimum of the case, and administered in 50 millisemal scale. Pre and post-lung function test by spirometry to assess progress of the disease and response to treatment. Result & Interpretation: Clinically the condition of the patient is greatly improved by treatment Lung function test by spirometry (Before treatment) – restrictive pulmonary dysfunction, FEV1 : FVC (decrease) Lung function test (After treatment) – FEV1 : FVC (increase); pulmonary function improved with comparison to earlier report. Conclusion :Nanoparticle laden homoeopathic medicine is capable enough to alleviate such rare disease without producing iatrogenic effect

Rapid Acclimatisation to High Altitude by Intermittent Hypoxia Training at Sea Level Role of Biochemical Markers

Rapid induction of soldiers to high altitude under emergency situation may lead to higher incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and other high altitude illness. Intermittent Hypoxia Training (IHT) at sea level before going to high altitude is an approach for rapid acclimatisation. This approach may be helpful to reduce the occurrence of AMS and leads to better acclimatisation at high altitude in shorter duration. The present study evaluates the role of biochemical markers of acclimatisation after IHT before induction to actual high altitude. The study participants were Indian Army Personnel (n=30) and they were divided into two groups of control (n=16) and IHT exposed (n=14). The intermittent hypoxia training was administered at 12 per cent Oxygen for 4h/day for 4 days at sea level using normobaric hypoxia chamber and within 24 hrs - 48 hrs the subjects were airlifted to Leh, Ladakh, India at 11,700 ft. Preconditioning with IHT may be beneficial in maintaining antioxidant levels and ameliorate oxidative stress at high altitude. The hypoxia responsive proteins like Hemeoxygenase -1 (HO-1) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the cytoprotective stress proteins, which facilitate the acclimatisation, may also get benefited by IHT exposure

Individual variation in response to simulated hypoxic stress of rats

744-748With an aim to categorize the animals exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia and to evaluate the hormonal profile responsible for individual variation in response to hypoxic stress, degree of tolerance to hypobaric hypoxia was measured by exposing the animals to a simulated altitude of 10,668 m at 32 <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: " times="" new="" roman""="" lang="EN-GB">°C and animals were categorized as low and high tolerant groups based on their gasping time. The hormonal profiles of these groups were evaluated just after exposure to the test. The results showed a distinct individual difference in response to hypoxic tolerance test. There was a significant increase in plasma norepinephrine concentration in high tolerant group than low tolerant rats. After hypoxic tolerance test, total circulating corticosterone (CORT) level also increased but this was not significant in high tolerant rats as compared to low tolerant rats. Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) concentration differ significantly between high and low tolerant groups of rats resulting in significant changes in circulating free corticosterone that in turn may be responsible for individual differences in hypoxic gasping time. Significant differences were also observed in prolactin and testosterone levels of both the groups. The results established the method of differentiating the animals according their response to hypoxic tolerance test. These data indicate that multiple components <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">rather than only plasma glucocorticoid of the stress response are providing a basis for individual differences in physiological responses to hypoxic stress. </span

Effect of bamboo shoot, <i>Bambusa arundinacea </i>(Retz.) Willd. on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine intake in rats

781-786Young shoots or sprouts of common bamboos are used as food in third world countries. Evidences suggest the presence of cyanogenic glucoside like anti-thyroidal substance in bamboo shoots (BS) but effect of prolonged BS consumption on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine nutriture remains unexplored. The study was undertaken to evaluate goitrogenic content, in vitro anti thyroid peroxidase (TPO) activity and in vivo anti thyroid potential of BS with and without extraiodide. Fresh BS contains high cyanogenic glucoside (551 mg/kg), followed by thiocyanate (24mg/kg) and glucosinolate (9.57mg/kg). In vitro inhibition in TPO activity was found with raw, raw boiled and cooked extracts. Inhibition constant (IC50) and PTU equivalence of fresh BS were 27.5±0.77 pg and 3.27 respectively. Extra iodide in the incubation media reduced TPO inhibition induced by BS but could not cancel it. Thyroid weight, TPO activity and total serum thyroid hormone levels of BS fed animals for 45 and 90 days respectively were determined and compared with controls. Significant increase in thyroid weight as well as higher excretion of thiocyanate and iodine along with marked decrease in thyroid peroxidase activity, T4 and T3 levels were observed in BS fed group. Chronic BS consumption gradually developed a state of hypothyroidism. Extra iodide had reduced the anti-thyroidal effect of BS to an extent but could not cancel it because of excessive cyanogenic glucoside, glucosinolate and thiocyanate present in it

Effect of radish (<i style="">Raphanus sativus </i>Linn.) on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine intake in rats

653-661Cruciferous plants viz. cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, radish, mustard etc. that contain goitrogenic/antithyroid substances, constitute a portion of regular human diet. The effect of chronic feeding of fresh and cooked radish, R. sativus under varying state of iodine intake on morphological and functional status of thyroid in albino rats was evaluated by thyroid gland morphology and histology, thyroid peroxidase activity, serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin levels. The consumption pattern of iodine and goitrogens of cyanogenic origin was evaluated by measuring urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels respectively. After chronic radish feeding, increased weight of thyroid gland, decreased thyroid peroxidase activity, reduced thyroid hormone profiles and elevated level of thyrotropin were observed resembling a relative state of hypoactive thyroid gland in comparison to control even after supplementation of adequate iodine

Effect of cassava (Manihot esculenta crentz) on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine intake in rats

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a widely used common vegetable of Indian origin contains dietary goitrogens. Goitrogenic content, in vitro anti-thyroidal activity and in vivo antithyroid potential of fresh and cooked cassava of Indian origin in albino rats with and without iodine supplementation were evaluated in this study. In vitro inhibition of thyroid peroxidase (TPO )activity was found with fresh and cooked cassava extract but the presence of extra iodide in the incubation media had shown reduction in such inhibition to an extent. Inhibition constant (IC50) and PTU equivalence of fresh cassava were 42.5 ± 1.35µg and 2.21 respectively. After consumption, cyanogenic constituents in cassava are metabolized to thiocyanate and iodine-retaining capacity seems to be dependent on thiocyanate exposure. In cassava fed rats, the urinary iodine concentration resembled the state of adequate iodine nutriture but thyroid gland fails to utilize available iodine. Increased thyroid weight (P < 0.001), inhibited thyroid peroxidase (TPO) activity and reduced thyroid hormone profiles (P < 0.001) were noted in fresh and cooked cassava fed rats, resembling a relative state of morphological as well as biochemical hypothyroidism even in presence of adequate iodine. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(3) 2006: 87-9

Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia Exposures on Acute Mountain Sickness During Acute Ascent to 3500 m in Indian Military Personnel

In emergencies/war like situations, rapid deployment of army personnel into high altitude occurs without proper acclimatization. Rapid deployment of unacclimatized soldiers to high mountainous environments may cause debilitating effects on operational capabilities and development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Altitude acclimatization is the best strategy for the prevention of AMS Use of pharmacological intervention for prevention of AMS is a common practice. The use of intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) is an alternative approach for altitude acclimatization and it reduces occurrence and severity of AMS is. But, the use of intermittent normobaric hypoxia exposure at sea level on occurrence of AMS after acute ascent to 3500m altitude in Indian army personnel has not been tested yet