Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy

Publications in this journal

• Article: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH in cat allergic adults.

  Prenitha Naidoo, Janice Pellow
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  ABSTRACT: Cat allergy is an abnormal immune response by the body to cat dander or saliva, leading to the development of a complex of symptoms which can negatively influence health. Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH are indicated, according to isopathic principles, for the treatment of cat allergy, however no research has been done to date. To determine the effect of Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH (combined) on cat allergic adults. 30 Participants with a positive test result for a cat allergy skin prick test (SPT) were recruited to a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial. Participants took two tablets twice daily for 4 weeks, and attended a follow-up consultation at the end of weeks 2 and 4. The measurement tool used was the SPT, conducted at the beginning and at the end of the study. Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH produced a highly statistically significant reduction in the wheal diameter of the cat allergen SPT at the end of week 4. The placebo group showed no statistically significant change. The homeopathic medicine reduced the sensitivity reaction of cat allergic adults to cat allergen, according to the SPT. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the effect of Cat saliva and Histaminum and their role as a potential therapeutic option for this condition.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):123-9.
• Article: Homeopathy - between tradition and modern science: remedies as carriers of significance.

  Yannis Almirantis
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  ABSTRACT: The healing potential and description of homeopathic remedies, as determined in homeopathic pathogenic trials (HPTs) and verified by medical experience, are often found to be meaningfully connected with the symbolic content attributed to the original materials (tinctures, metals etc) through tradition or modern semantics. Such a connection is incompatible with a biomolecular mechanistic explanation of the healing action of remedies. The physiological effects of crude substances are often similar to the symptoms of illnesses cured by the corresponding homeopathic remedy. This is considered a manifestation of the similia principle. Evidence is brought here that in several cases the inverse situation occurs, with the healing properties of the crude substance and those of its homeopathic preparation partially coinciding, the remedy usually having broader healing properties. The existence of these two possibilities in the relationship of medicinal actions of remedy and the crude substance, offers evidence in favor of a direct involvement of the level of significances in the mechanism underlying the homeopathic phenomenon. Finally, an experimental methodology is proposed, which may bring the result of double-blind randomized studies for homeopathic remedies closer to the reported performance of homeopathy in real life medical practice. If successful, this method would be a further indication of a non-local, significance-related interpretation of homeopathy.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):114-22.
• Article: Early udder inflammation in dairy cows treated by a homeopathic medicine (Dolisovet(®)): a prospective observational pilot study.

  Eléonore Aubry, Marie-Noëlle Issautier, Didier Champomier, Laurence Terzan
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  ABSTRACT: Mammary inflammation in dairy cows is a widespread problem in dairy farming resulting in significant economic and welfare concerns. Dolisovet(®) (Belladonna 1dH, Calendula MT, Echinacea 1dH, Dulcamara 1cH) a homeopathic medicine, licensed in France and indicated for the restoration of mammary function in cows is presented as a 10 g tube of ointment for intramammary use. A prospective, uncontrolled, observational pilot study involving the collection and analysis of data from 31 udder quarters identified as being inflamed by an automated milking system (AMS) was conducted to evaluate the effect of Dolisovet(®) on selected parameters of mammary inflammation. Inflamed quarters were identified when milk quality started to deteriorate, via an alert generated by the AMS, on the basis of electrical conductivity (EC). Milk yield and EC were retrieved five to seven days prior to the AMS alert, on the day of and for the following seven days. Dolisovet(®) was administered twice daily for two consecutive days, commencing on the day of the AMS alert. A significant reduction in EC was observed 4-7 days following the first treatment. An increase in milk yield was also observed following the first treatment. Dolisovet(®) may have a beneficial therapeutic effect in the early stages of udder inflammation and for restoring udder health and function. This medicine may be an effective first line treatment for sub-clinical bovine mastitis, reducing the need for antibiotics. Randomised, controlled studies should be undertaken to further investigate this possibility.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):139-44.
• Article: Nanosized solvent superstructures in ultramolecular aqueous dilutions: twenty years' research using water proton NMR relaxation.

  Jean-Louis Demangeat
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  ABSTRACT: Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation times T1, T2, T1/T2 are sensitive to motion and organization of water molecules. Especially, increase in T1/T2 reflects a higher degree of structuring. My purpose was to look at physical changes in water in ultrahigh aqueous dilutions. Samples were prepared by iterative centesimal (c) dilution with vigorous agitation, ranging between 3c and 24c (Avogadro limit 12c). Solutes were silica-lactose, histamine, manganese-lactose. Solvents were water, NaCl 0.15 M or LiCl 0.15 M. Solvents underwent strictly similar, simultaneous dilution/agitation, for each level of dilution, as controls. NMR relaxation was studied within 0.02-20 MHz. No changes were observed in controls. Increasing T1 and T1/T2 were found in dilutions, which persisted beyond 9c (manganese-lactose), 10c (histamine) and 12c (silica-lactose). For silica-lactose in LiCl, continuous decrease in T2 with increase in T1/T2 within the 12c-24c range indicated growing structuring of water despite absence of the initial solute. All changes vanished after heating/cooling. These findings were interpreted in terms of nanosized (>4-nm) supramolecular structures involving water, nanobubbles and ions, if any. Additional study of low dilutions of silica-lactose revealed increased T2 and decreased T1/T2 compared to solvent, within the 10(-3)-10(-6) range, reflecting transient solvent destructuring. This could explain findings at high dilution. Proton NMR relaxation demonstrated modifications of the solvent throughout the low to ultramolecular range of dilution. The findings suggested the existence of superstructures that originate stereospecifically around the solute after an initial destructuring of the solvent, developing more upon dilution and persisting beyond 12c.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):87-105.
• Article: Local, entangled or both?

  Peter Fisher
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):85-6.
• Article: A quantum-like model of homeopathy clinical trials: importance of in situ randomization and unblinding.

  Francis Beauvais
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  ABSTRACT: The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is the 'gold standard' of modern clinical pharmacology. However, for many practitioners of homeopathy, blind RCTs are an inadequate research tool for testing complex therapies such as homeopathy. Classical probabilities used in biological sciences and in medicine are only a special case of the generalized theory of probability used in quantum physics. I describe homeopathy trials using a quantum-like statistical model, a model inspired by quantum physics and taking into consideration superposition of states, non-commuting observables, probability interferences, contextuality, etc. The negative effect of blinding on success of homeopathy trials and the 'smearing effect' ('specific' effects of homeopathy medicine occurring in the placebo group) are described by quantum-like probabilities without supplementary ad hoc hypotheses. The difference of positive outcome rates between placebo and homeopathy groups frequently vanish in centralized blind trials. The model proposed here suggests a way to circumvent such problems in masked homeopathy trials by incorporating in situ randomization/unblinding. In this quantum-like model of homeopathy clinical trials, success in open-label setting and failure with centralized blind RCTs emerge logically from the formalism. This model suggests that significant differences between placebo and homeopathy in blind RCTs would be found more frequently if in situ randomization/unblinding was used.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):106-13.
• Article: Should homeopathy be considered as part of a treatment strategy for otitis media with effusion in children?

  Alison Fixsen
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  ABSTRACT: Otitis media with effusion (OME) or 'glue ear' is the most common cause of pediatric hearing loss, and a drain on global healthcare resources. It is associated with frequent episodes of acute otitis media (AOM) and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and linked with environmental and social factors, including diet, smoking households, overcrowding and day care use. Current conventional treatment for OME is unsatisfactory, the area constitutes an 'effectiveness gap'. Homeopathy is a relatively common and popular choice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment for childhood conditions, including otitis media. Antibiotic resistance is now a major global problem, homeopathy may have a role to play in combating its further development. Systematic review of the literature for clinical studies of homeopathy for AOM and upper respiratory tract disorders. Discussion in the context of current treatment options and public health issues including antibiotic resistance. Several randomized trials and outcome studies of homeopathy for AOM and upper respiratory tract disorders have been published. The results are encouraging, but the volume of research is small and insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. A strategy based on multi-centre or multiple, linked clinical trials of homeopathy for OME, using a pragmatic framework and evaluating long-term effects in different settings, in conjunction with other healthcare and social services should be considered. Reduction of antibiotic use is an important outcome.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):145-50.
• Article: A prospective multi-centric open clinical trial of homeopathy in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

  Chaturbhuja Nayak, Praveen Oberai, Roja Varanasi, Hafeezullah Baig, Raveender Ch, G R C Reddy, Pratima Devi, Bhubaneshwari S, Vikram Singh, V P Singh, Hari Singh, Shashi Shekhar Shitanshu
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  ABSTRACT: To evaluate homeopathic treatment in the management of diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy. A prospective multi-centric clinical observational study was carried out from October 2005 to September 2009 by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) (India) at its five Institutes/Units. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) and presenting with symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were screened, investigated and were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were evaluated by the Diabetic Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy Symptom Score (DDSPSS) developed by the Council. A total of 15 homeopathic medicines were identified after repertorizing the nosological symptoms and signs of the disease. The appropriate constitutional medicine was selected and prescribed in 30, 200 and 1 M potency on an individualized basis. Patients were followed up regularly for 12 months. Out of 336 patients (167 males and 169 females) enrolled in the study, 247 patients (123 males and 124 females) were analyzed. All patients who attended at least three follow-up appointments and baseline curve conduction studies were included in the analysis.). A statistically significant improvement in DDSPSS total score (p = 0.0001) was found at 12 months from baseline. Most objective measures did not show significant improvement. Lycopodium clavatum (n = 132), Phosphorus (n = 27) and Sulphur (n = 26) were the medicines most frequently prescribed. Adverse event of hypoglycaemia was observed in one patient only. This study suggests homeopathic medicines may be effective in managing the symptoms of DPN patients. Further studies should be controlled and include the Quality of life (QOL) assessment.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 04/2013; 102(2):130-8.
• Article: Clinical verification in homeopathy and allergic conditions.

  Michel Van Wassenhoven
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  ABSTRACT: The literature on clinical research in allergic conditions treated with homeopathy includes a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) for hay fever with positive conclusions and two positive RCTs in asthma. Cohort surveys using validated Quality of Life questionnaires have shown improvement in asthma in children, general allergic conditions and skin diseases. Economic surveys have shown positive results in eczema, allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy and chronic allergic rhinitis. This paper reports clinical verification of homeopathic symptoms in all patients and especially in various allergic conditions in my own primary care practice. For preventive treatments in hay fever patients, Arsenicum album was the most effective homeopathic medicine followed by Nux vomica, Pulsatilla pratensis, Gelsemium, Sarsaparilla, Silicea and Natrum muriaticum. For asthma patients, Arsenicum iodatum appeared most effective, followed by Lachesis, Calcarea arsenicosa, Carbo vegetabilis and Silicea. For eczema and urticaria, Mezereum was most effective, followed by Lycopodium, Sepia, Arsenicum iodatum, Calcarea carbonica and Psorinum. The choice of homeopathic medicine depends on the presence of other associated symptoms and 'constitutional' features. Repertories should be updated by including results of such clinical verifications of homeopathic prescribing symptoms.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):54-8.
• Article: Effect of the oral administration homeopathic Arnica montana on mitochondrial oxidative stress.

  Ronaldo Antônio de Camargo, Ellen Dias da Costa, Rosana Catisti
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  ABSTRACT: To analyze the effect of homeopathic Arnica on mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by Ca(2+) plus inorganic phosphate and/or Fe(2+)-citrate-mediated lipid peroxidation through changes in oxygen consumption rates. Mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation from the livers of adult male Wistar rats which had been treated with Arnica montana 6cH, 12cH, 30cH or succussed 30% ethanol (control) for 21 days. In the presence of antimycin-A, electron transport chain inhibitor, as evidenced by antimycin-A insensitive O(2) consumption, Arnica inhibited lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial membranes. In oxidative stress conditions, in the presence of Ca(2+) and inorganic phosphate, animals receiving Arnica 30cH had a significant decrease in mitochondrial O(2) consumption compared to control animals. When administrated orally, Arnica 30cH protects against hepatic mitochondrial membrane permeabilization induced by Ca(2+) and/or Fe(2+)-citrate-mediated lipid peroxidation and fragmentation of proteins due to the attack by reactive oxygen species.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):49-53.
• Article: Testing the nanoparticle-allostatic cross-adaptation-sensitization model for homeopathic remedy effects.

  Iris R Bell, Mary Koithan, Audrey J Brooks
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  ABSTRACT: Key concepts of the Nanoparticle-Allostatic Cross-Adaptation-Sensitization (NPCAS) Model for the action of homeopathic remedies in living systems include source nanoparticles as low level environmental stressors, heterotypic hormesis, cross-adaptation, allostasis (stress response network), time-dependent sensitization with endogenous amplification and bidirectional change, and self-organizing complex adaptive systems. The model accommodates the requirement for measurable physical agents in the remedy (source nanoparticles and/or source adsorbed to silica nanoparticles). Hormetic adaptive responses in the organism, triggered by nanoparticles; bipolar, metaplastic change, dependent on the history of the organism. Clinical matching of the patient's symptom picture, including modalities, to the symptom pattern that the source material can cause (cross-adaptation and cross-sensitization). Evidence for nanoparticle-related quantum macro-entanglement in homeopathic pathogenetic trials. This paper examines research implications of the model, discussing the following hypotheses: Variability in nanoparticle size, morphology, and aggregation affects remedy properties and reproducibility of findings. Homeopathic remedies modulate adaptive allostatic responses, with multiple dynamic short- and long-term effects. Simillimum remedy nanoparticles, as novel mild stressors corresponding to the organism's dysfunction initiate time-dependent cross-sensitization, reversing the direction of dysfunctional reactivity to environmental stressors. The NPCAS model suggests a way forward for systematic research on homeopathy. The central proposition is that homeopathic treatment is a form of nanomedicine acting by modulation of endogenous adaptation and metaplastic amplification processes in the organism to enhance long-term systemic resilience and health.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):66-81.
• Article: Homeopathic treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a case series.

  Karine Danno, Aurélie Colas, Laurence Terzan, Marie-France Bordet
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  ABSTRACT: Observational, prospective study to describe the homeopathic management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by a group of French physicians. Women with PMS for >3 months were prescribed individualized homeopathic treatment. The intensity of 10 clinical symptoms of PMS was scored individually at inclusion and at a 3-6 month follow-up visit: absent = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, severe = 3. Total symptom score (range: 0-30) was calculated and compared for each patient at inclusion and at follow-up. PMS impact on daily activities (quality of life, QoL) was compared at inclusion and follow-up as: none, mild, moderate, severe, very severe. Twenty-three women were prescribed homeopathic treatment only (mean age: 39.7 years). Folliculinum (87%) was the most frequently prescribed homeopathic medicine followed by Lachesis mutus (52.2%). The most common PMS symptoms (moderate or severe) at inclusion were: irritability, aggression and tension (87%), mastodynia (78.2%) and weight gain and abdominal bloating (73.9%); and the most common symptoms at follow-up were: irritability, aggression and tension (39.1%), weight gain and abdominal bloating (26.1%) and mastodynia (17.4%). Mean global score for symptom intensity was 13.7 at inclusion and 6.3 at follow-up. The mean decrease in score (7.4) was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one women reported that their QoL also improved significantly (91.3%; p < 0.0001). Homeopathic treatment was well tolerated and seemed to have a positive impact on PMS symptoms. Folliculinum was the most frequent homeopathic medicine prescribed. There appears to be scope for a properly designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of individual homeopathic medicines in PMS.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):59-65.
• Article: Randomised controlled trials of homeopathy in humans: characterising the research journal literature for systematic review.

  Robert T Mathie, Daniela Hacke, Jürgen Clausen, Ton Nicolai, David S Riley, Peter Fisher
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  ABSTRACT: A new programme of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in homeopathy will distinguish important attributes of RCT records, including: placebo controlled versus other-than-placebo (OTP) controlled; individualised versus non-individualised homeopathy; peer-reviewed (PR) versus non peer-reviewed (NPR) sources. (a) To outline the methods used to search and categorise the RCT literature; (b) to report details of the records retrieved; (c) to compare our retrieved records with those reported in two previous systematic reviews (Linde et al., 1997; Shang et al., 2005). Ten major electronic databases were searched for records published up to the end of 2011. A record was accepted for subsequent systematic review if it was a substantive report of a clinical trial of homeopathic treatment or prophylaxis in humans, randomised and controlled, and published in a PR or NPR journal. 489 records were potentially eligible: 226 were rejected as non-journal, minor or repeat publications, or lacking randomisation and/or controls and/or a 'homeopathic' intervention; 263 (164 PR, 99 NPR) were acceptable for systematic review. The 263 accepted records comprised 217 (137 PR, 80 NPR) placebo-controlled RCTs, of which 121 were included by, 66 were published after, and 30 were potentially eligible for, but not listed by, Linde or Shang. The 137 PR records of placebo-controlled RCTs comprise 41 on individualised homeopathy and 96 on non-individualised homeopathy. Our findings clarify the RCT literature in homeopathy. The 263 accepted journal papers will be the basis for our forthcoming programme of systematic reviews.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):3-24.
• Article: Replication of an experiment on extremely diluted thyroxine and highland amphibians.

  Bernhard Harrer
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  ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to reproduce an experiment with diluted thyroxine and amphibians. A detailed account of the difficulties of this line of research has been published by the initial team (Endler and Scherer-Pongratz). One experiment which has been reported reproducible by the initial team and independent researchers is the effect of extremely diluted agitated thyroxine (T30x) versus analogously prepared water (W30x) in amphibians from biotopes above the tree line (highland amphibians). (A) The author replicated the experiment. Rana temporaria were taken from an alpine biotope and the methods given in the original protocols were followed. Animals were treated from the 2-legged stage on. (B), the author reanalyzed the results reported by the initial team and by independent researchers (van Wijk, Lassnig, Zausner-Lukitsch, Bach, Harrer). (A) In the author's own experiment, there was a clear trend of T30x animals developing more slowly (i.e. up to 6 h within 3 days) than W30x animals. This is in line with the previous experiments. Due to small numbers of animals, the differences in the frequency of larvae reaching the 4-legged stage and the stage with reduced tail were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The effect size was large (d > 0.08). (B) In the analysis of all available data with regard to the 4-legged stage, pooled T30x values from the initial team were 10.1% smaller than W30x values (100%) and pooled T30x values from the 5 independent researchers were 12.4% smaller (p < 0.01 and d > 0.08). Analogously, the number of animals entering the juvenile stage with reduced tail was smaller for T30x than for W30x.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):25-30.
• Article: Dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone affects the development of ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro.

  Laritza Ferreira de Lima, Rebeca Magalhães Pedrosa Rocha, Anelise Maria Costa Vasconcelos Alves, Márcia Viviane Alves Saraiva, Valdevane Rocha Araújo, Isadora Machado Teixeira Lima, Cláudio Afonso Pinho Lopes, Sônia Nair Báo, Claudio Cabral Campello, Ana Paula Ribeiro Rodrigues, José Ricardo de Figueiredo
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  ABSTRACT: To evaluate the effect of dynamized follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the survival, activation and growth of ovine preantral follicles (PFs) in vitro. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1 or 7 days in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM(+)) control in the absence or presence of alcohol (Al control) or FSH (6cH, 12cH and 30cH) added at intervals of 24 or 48 h. The ovarian fragments were processed, coded and analyzed by a blinded observer by classical histology (CH), fluorescence microscopy (FM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After 7 days of culture, the group which to which FSH 6cH was added at 24 h intervals showed better rates of follicle survival and activation compared to α-MEM(+) control or Al control (p < 0.05). This group also showed higher follicle and oocyte growth than α-MEM(+) control (p < 0.05). FM and TEM techniques confirmed that FSH 6cH promoted viability and ultrastructural integrity of follicles after 7 days of culture. FSH 6cH (24 h) treatment maintained the viability, and promoted the activation and in vitro growth of ovine PFs.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):41-8.
• Article: Highland amphibians and high potencies: a 20-year metamorphosis.

  Menachem Oberbaum
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):1-2.
• Article: H3N2 homeopathic influenza virus solution modifies cellular and biochemical aspects of MDCK and J774G8 cell lines.

  Camila Monteiro Siqueira, Beatriz Costa, Ana Maria Amorim, Marta Gonçalves, Venício Féo da Veiga, Morgana Castelo-Branco, Christina Takyia, Patrícia Zancan, Fernando Portela Câmara, José Nelson Couceiro, Carla Holandino
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  ABSTRACT: Influenza viruses cause highly contagious acute respiratory illnesses with significant mortality, especially among young children, elderly people, and individuals with serious medical conditions. This encourages the development of new treatments for human flu. Biotherapies are diluted solutions prepared from biological products compounded following homeopathic procedures. To develop a biotherapy prepared from the infectious influenza A virus (A/Aichi/2/68 H3N2) and to verify its in vitro response. The ultradiluted influenza virus solution was prepared in the homeopathic dilution 30dH, it was termed Influenzinum RC. The cellular alterations induced by this preparation were analyzed by optical and electron microscopy, MTT and neutral red assays. Glycolytic metabolism (PFK-1) was studied by spectrophotometric assay. Additionally, the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by J774.G8 macrophage cells was quantified by ELISA before and after infection with H3N2 influenza virus and treatment. Influenzinum RC did not cause cytotoxic effects but induced morphological alterations in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. After 30 days, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mitosis rate was detected compared to control. MDCK mitochondrial activity was changed after treatment for 10 and 30 days. Treatment significantly diminished (p < 0.05) PFK-1 activity. TNF-α in biotherapy-stimulated J774.G8 macrophages indicated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in this cytokine when the cell supernatant was analyzed. Influenzinum RC altered cellular and biochemical features of MDCK and J774G8 cells.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 01/2013; 102(1):31-40.
• Article: Dentistry, veterinary medicine and outcomes.

  Peter Fisher
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 10/2012; 101(4):193-4.
• Article: Antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates), atypical fractures and rebound effect: new evidence of similitude.

  Marcus Zulian Teixeira
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  ABSTRACT: Homeopathy is based on treatment by similitude ('like cures like') administering to sick individuals substances that cause similar symptoms in healthy individuals, employing the secondary and paradoxical action of the organism as therapeutic response. This vital or homeostatic reaction of the organism can be scientifically explained by the rebound effect of drugs, resulting in worsening of symptoms after suspension of treatment. Bisphosphonates (BPs) reduce 'typical' fractures in patients with osteoporosis, but recent studies report 'atypical' fractures of the femur after stopping the BPs, a rebound effect may be the causal mechanism. Review of the literature concerning the relationship between atypical femoral fractures and antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates), identifying the pathogenesis of this adverse event. Several studies have described multiple cases of 'atypical' low-impact subtrochanteric stress fractures or complete fractures of the femur. These fractures are often bilateral, preceded by pain in the affected thigh, may have a typical X-ray appearance, and may delayed healing. Rebound of osteoclastic activity after suspension of antiresorptive drugs is a plausible mechanism to explain this phenomenon. As for other classes of drugs, the rebound effect of antiresorptive drugs supports Hahnemann's similitude principle (primary action of the drugs followed by secondary and opposite action of the organism), and clarifies this 'unresolved' issue. Unfortunately, the rebound effect is little discussed among health professionals, depriving them of important knowledge ensure safe management of drugs.
  Homeopathy: the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy 10/2012; 101(4):231-42.