A single blind placebo controlled parallel arm study to evaluate the efficacy of different potencie of Rhustoxicodendron in Rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of immunological parameters

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a systemic disease, is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the synovium of joints mediated by inflammatory cytokines. There is a knowledge gap identified in the efficacy of Rhustoxicodendron (30,200,1M, potencies) and subsequent changes in the immunological parameters of rheumatoid arthritis patients, hence the current study planned. newlineMethodology: Patients in early rheumatoid arthritis fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria in one arm (n=42 in each group) and age and gender matched control group as other arm. The patients were treated with test drug Rhustox (30, 200,1M Potencies) in accordance to their constitution. The control group received placebo. The test and control groups were evaluated for disease activity and serum cytokine levels (IL-1and#945;, IL-1and#946;, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF- and#945;) were measured at the time of enrolment in the study and after 6 weeks of therapy, and analysed. newlineResult: Patients received test drug, Rhustox, showed improvement in Patient Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for global assessment of disease after 6 weeks of therapy compared to placebo with an improvement in tender joint count at the end of 6 weeks compared to baseline. The test group also showed decrease in ESR as compared to placebo. However, hs-CRP values in treatment groups did not show significant difference when compared to the placebo group at baseline and after therapy. There was decrease in IL 6 levels after 3 weeks of therapy in the patients treated with Rhustox. newlineii newlineConclusion: In the present parallel arm placebo controlled study, patients treated for newline6 weeks with Rhustox (30,200,1M) potencies showed improvement in clinical features, newlinereduction in parameters of inflammation and IL6 levels. These observations suggest a newlinepotential immune modulatory role of Rhustoxicodendron in early Rheumatoid Arthritis. newlineKey Words: Rhustoxicodendron, Homoeopathy, Autoimmune, Cytokines, Potency, newlineRheumatoid Arthritis. newline