Adjuvant Approach to Mitigate the Adverse Effects of Cancer Treatments Using Homeopathic Medicines

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, cancer patients are facing problem with life-and-death decision due to the associated severe adverse and sometimes fatal effects of existing conventional treatments. Due to the severe adverse effects of existing therapies, effective cures are progressively explored for anticancer treatment.Mostly the conventional therapies are based upon nonspecific cellular destruction properties; therefore, a treatment approach is desired to reduce the toxic burden upon normal tissues. Among all alternative medicine systems, homeopathy is one of the most popular treatment for cancer patients globally due to its minimal side effects. Methods: In this present review, we have attempted to comprehend the literature reports of homeopathic medicine in cancer treatment. Results: Homeopathy has also proved their adjuvant approach to minimize the symptomatic consequences of cancer. However, the insufficiency of evidence and lack of recurrence of the trials cause difficulty to draw any conclusive evidence about homeopathy as an adjuvant therapy. Based upon the etiology, genoprotective potential of homeopathic drugs was reviewed and found inconsequential evaluation and scanty literature. Conclusion: Hence, the present review gives a comprehensive summary of retrospective studies and suggests an integration of rational drug selection, standard protocols, and quantitative analysis for revealing the differential role and plausible application of homeopathy in better cancer management.

Evaluation of cell viability and nitric oxide release after treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells with a homeopathic compound of Graviola (Anonna muricata) and Purple Ipe (Handroanthus impetiginosus)

“…Homeopathic medicines have gained attention in oncology treatments mainly because they provide a better quality of life for these patients and reduce the side effects caused by conventional treatments that often do not contemplate a cure, not even relieve the symptoms 8 .…”

Febrile Neutropenia in Pediatrics with Cancer: Review Article

“…Radiation causes harm to stem cells, which becomes apparent when tissues die off as a result of normal cell turnover but are not adequately replaced by stem cells. This causes the protective barrier to be compromised, most often at the skin, oral mucosa, and gastrointestinal (GI) levels (26) . Prolonged marrow depression and neutropenia are possible side effects of total body irradiation, and the suppression of cellular immune function that ensues can last for months or even years (27) .…”

Evaluation of cell viability and nitric oxide release after treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma cells (HepG2) with Ruta graveolens

“…Thus, it requires a multidisciplinary analysis of the best alternative for the patient according to the degree of tumor development 3,4 . In addition, conventional therapies very often cause severe adverse events leading patients to stop their treatment 5,6 .…”

“…This supportive care is part of an integrative approach to the patient with a view to ensure the quality of life and benevolence. However, it is worth emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence that proves its action 6 .…”