Background & objectives: No definite treatment is known for COVID-19 till date. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of customized Homoeopathic medicines, when used as an add-on treatment to Standard of Care (SOC), in patients suffering from moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group trial where 214 COVID19-positive patients were screened for moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Adjuvant homoeopathic medicines were given in the treatment group and SOC was given to both groups. The duration of oxygen support was compared as the primary outcome. Subjects were followed for 28 days or till the end-point of mechanical ventilation/ death. Results: Of 129 subjects included, 57 and 55 were severe; and 8 and 9 were moderate cases in Homoeopathy and SOC arms, respectively. In all, 9 (15.2%) participants in Homoeopathy and 20 (32.2%) participants in SOC arms eventually expired (p<0.05). Oxygen support was required for 9.84±7.00 and 14.92±7.549 days in Homoeopathy and SOC arms, respectively (p<0.005). Subjects receiving Homoeopathy (12.9±6.days) had a shorter hospitalization stay than in SOC (14.9±7.5 days). Homoeopathy arm (10.6±5.7 days) also showed statistically significant mean conversion time of of Realtime-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) from positive to negative than the SOC arm (12.9±5.6 days). The mean score of Clinical Outcome Ordinal Scale (COOS) was lower in the Homoeopathy arm. Laboratory markers [Interleukins (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophils-Lymphocytes ratio (NLR)]were normalized earlier in Homoeopathy arm. Conclusion: Homoeopathy, as add-on therapy with SOC for COVID-19 management, demonstrates a reduction in mortality and morbidity, by reduced requirement of oxygen and hospitalization. Some laboratory markers are normalized at an earlier time. Hence, there is overall control over the disease. Registry: The study was registered on the http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials website under identifier number: CTRI/2020/12/029668 on 9th December 2020.

Introduction Dengue ranks as the most important mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, with its incidence being increased 30-fold in the past 50 years. An epidemic of dengue/dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a major public health problem causing significant health and economic burden. The dengue crisis is further complicated by the lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs for prevention and control of this disease. This systematic review investigates and evaluates various studies done with homoeopathic therapy for the prevention and treatment of dengue fever. Objective Evaluate the usefulness of homoeopathy for a prevention and treatment of dengue fever through literature review and to develop the strategy for future research. Method A comprehensive search in electronic database aimed to target the available literature of observational studies, randomised trials, controlled trials, case studies on dengue fever in homoeopathy (excluding non–peer-reviewed journals) and limited to English language. Result A literary search through various databases helped identify a few significant studies as one double-blind placebo-controlled trial, one comparative clinical study, one case study and two community-based studies.The community-based studies showed positive results for the role of homoeopathic medicines as a prophylactic medicine. The double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed no difference in outcome between the two groups. The comparative clinical study showed that the homoeopathic combination appeared to be a more potent treatment against dengue fever when compare with standard maintenance therapy. The case study shows favourable results, but the sample size is only of 10 cases. Conclusion In future, high-quality randomised controlled trial (RCT), vitro and animal model studies are required to support the efficacy of homoeopathic therapeutics.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by WHO on 11th March 2020. Witnessing the pattern of relapse of cases, varying severity of cases and persistence of symptoms through different waves of pandemic has emerged as the reason for the studies targeting post-covid status of individuals. OBJECTIVE The objective of this survey was to assess the long-term effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines when used as an adjunct therapy along with the conventional therapy during covid infection in oxygen-dependent, moderate and severe patients. METHODS The survey was carried out from 1st April 2022 to 29 May 2022 via telephonic conversation among 219 participants who were discharged from AIIMS, Jhajjar, Haryana and St. George Hospital, Mumbai, India and had participated in two different placebo-controlled, randomized trials held at these two hospitals where individualized homoeopathic medicines were given to the experimental groups in addition to the conventional treatment. The post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) Scale was employed to evaluate the functional status of the surviving survey participants and to compare the status between the add-on Homoeopathy (AoH) group and the add-on placebo (AoP) group. RESULTS The mean score of PCFS Scale between the groups were compared using the chi-square test, which was presumed to be statistically significant at P<0.05. In total, 93 participants of AoH group showed more functional ability with mean difference of 0.83±1.47 (mean ± SD), as opposed to 1.33±1.63 (mean ± SD) among the AoP group participants (P=.04). Percentage of participants who developed post-COVID diabetes mellitus or hypertension, or shortness of breath on exertion and was found to be 17.20%, 8.60% and 6.45%, respectively in the AoH group, as compared to 17.57%, 9.68% and 10.81%, respectively in the AoP group. No incidence of post covid anxiety, pneumonia and chronic/acute kidney disease was reported in the AoH group while it was 1.35%, 1.35% and 4.05% respectively in the AoP group. The ability to perform daily chores was observed to be in 57% of the participants of AoH group, as against 43% of those in the AoP group. CONCLUSIONS Homoeopathy, when given as an add-on therapy in COVID-19, helps in faster recovery from acute infections such as COVID19, witha higher proportion of participants being able to perform daily chores, along with an improvement in their general weakness, even after the meidicine was discontinued., This proved the long term effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment when used as an adjunct therapy along with the conventional therapy in the oxygen-dependent, moderate or severe patients of COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL As it was a survey, the trial registration was not mandatory.

Background: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is the most common (45%-74%) mucormycosis in India. With contemporary medical care, ROCM has a mortality rate of 40%-50% and 70% of survivors are left with residual defects. Recently, several cases of mucormycosis in people with COVID-19 have been increasingly reported worldwide, from India, due to immune dysregulation caused by SARS-CoV-2. To reduce the high mortality rate and residual defect in most survivors under the guidelines of the Ministry of AYUSH, the Government of India recommended homoeopathy as an add-on therapy to maximize the effectiveness of standard treatment in conventional therapy. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of existing homoeopathic treatment as an adjuvant therapy in patients with COVID-19–related ROCM and enhancing the survival of the patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection and to access the initial treatment response and duration required for significant or complete recovery in patients receiving adjuvant treatment. Methods: This superiority, randomized controlled clinical trial would include two parallel comparator groups A and B. Group A would be the experimental group and would receive homoeopathic treatment along with the standard line of treatment as per investigational medicinal product (IMP) and group B would be the control arm and would receive standard line of treatment as per IMP along with identical placebo. Allocation would be 1:1 through randomization. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 participants per arm would be screened. Participants would be assessed clinically twice a day and magnetic resonance imagery or endoscopy cum-biopsy would be assessed on days 1, 14, and 28. Laboratory investigations may vary as per demand of disease conditions. Results: In India, the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the second wave, resulted in a surge of mucormycosis cases among patients with COVID-19. At the time this protocol was being developed, there was a significant spike in mucormycosis cases in India, particularly in Mumbai (June 2021). However, by the time the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy obtained the necessary approvals and ethical clearance for the study, the incidence of mucormycosis had drastically declined (September 2021). As a result, the study was not initiated and registered. The authors feel it is their ethical responsibility to share the reviewed protocol with the medical community as a reference for future work. Conclusions: This study aims to evaluate the role of existing homoeopathic medicines as an adjuvant therapy in managing COVID-19–related ROCM, potentially contributing to the use of homoeopathy as an evidence-based medical approach. The protocol can also serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers addressing mucormycosis cases unrelated to COVID-19, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It would help ensure preparedness, whether or not sufficient evidence is available, in the event of a future health emergency. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/57905

BACKGROUND Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is the most common (45%-74%) mucormycosis in India. With contemporary medical care, ROCM has a mortality rate of 40%-50% and 70% of survivors are left with residual defects. Recently, several cases of mucormycosis in people with COVID-19 have been increasingly reported worldwide, from India, due to immune dysregulation caused by SARS-CoV-2. To reduce the high mortality rate and residual defect in most survivors under the guidelines of the Ministry of AYUSH, the Government of India recommended homoeopathy as an add-on therapy to maximize the effectiveness of standard treatment in conventional therapy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the role of existing homoeopathic treatment as an adjuvant therapy in patients with COVID-19–related ROCM and enhancing the survival of the patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection and to access the initial treatment response and duration required for significant or complete recovery in patients receiving adjuvant treatment. METHODS This superiority, randomized controlled clinical trial would include two parallel comparator groups A and B. Group A would be the experimental group and would receive homoeopathic treatment along with the standard line of treatment as per investigational medicinal product (IMP) and group B would be the control arm and would receive standard line of treatment as per IMP along with identical placebo. Allocation would be 1:1 through randomization. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 participants per arm would be screened. Participants would be assessed clinically twice a day and magnetic resonance imagery or endoscopy cum-biopsy would be assessed on days 1, 14, and 28. Laboratory investigations may vary as per demand of disease conditions. RESULTS In India, the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the second wave, resulted in a surge of mucormycosis cases among patients with COVID-19. At the time this protocol was being developed, there was a significant spike in mucormycosis cases in India, particularly in Mumbai (June 2021). However, by the time the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy obtained the necessary approvals and ethical clearance for the study, the incidence of mucormycosis had drastically declined (September 2021). As a result, the study was not initiated and registered. The authors feel it is their ethical responsibility to share the reviewed protocol with the medical community as a reference for future work. CONCLUSIONS This study aims to evaluate the role of existing homoeopathic medicines as an adjuvant therapy in managing COVID-19–related ROCM, potentially contributing to the use of homoeopathy as an evidence-based medical approach. The protocol can also serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers addressing mucormycosis cases unrelated to COVID-19, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It would help ensure preparedness, whether or not sufficient evidence is available, in the event of a future health emergency. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/57905

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by WHO on 11th March 2020. Witnessing the pattern of relapse of cases, varying severity of cases and persistence of symptoms through different waves of pandemic has emerged as the reason for the studies targeting post-covid status of individuals. OBJECTIVE The objective of this survey was to assess the long-term effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines when used as an adjunct therapy along with the conventional therapy during covid infection in oxygen-dependent, moderate and severe patients. METHODS The survey was carried out from 1st April 2022 to 29 May 2022 via telephonic conversation among 219 participants who were discharged from AIIMS, Jhajjar, Haryana and St. George Hospital, Mumbai, India and had participated in two different placebo-controlled, randomised trials held at these two hospitals where individualised homoeopathic medicines were given to the experimental groups in addition to the conventional treatment. The post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) Scale was employed to evaluate the functional status of the surviving survey participants and to compare the status between the add-on Homoeopathy (AoH) group and the add-on placebo (AoP) group. RESULTS The mean score of PCFS Scale between the groups were compared using the chi-square test, which was presumed to be statistically significant at P<0.05. In total, 93 participants of AoH group showed more functional ability with mean difference of 0.83±1.47 (mean ± SD), as opposed to 1.33±1.63 (mean ± SD) among the AoP group participants (P=.04). Percentage of participants who developed post-COVID diabetes mellitus or hypertension, or shortness of breath on exertion and was found to be 17.20%, 8.60% and 6.45%, respectively in the AoH group, as compared to 17.57%, 9.68% and 10.81%, respectively in the AoP group. No incidence of post covid anxiety, pneumonia and chronic/acute kidney disease was reported in the AoH group while it was 1.35%, 1.35% and 4.05% respectively in the AoP group. The ability to perform daily chores was observed to be in 57% of the participants of AoH group, as against 43% of those in the AoP group. CONCLUSIONS Homoeopathy, when given as an add-on therapy in COVID-19, helps in faster recovery from acute infections such as COVID19, with a higher proportion of participants being able to perform daily chores, along with an improvement in their general weakness, even after the medicine was discontinued. This proved the long term effectiveness of homoeopathic treatment when used as an adjunct therapy along with the conventional therapy in the oxygen-dependent, moderate or severe patients of COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL As it was a survey, trial registration is not mandatory.