Single Blind Randomized Comparative Study in the Modulation of Serum Immunoglobulin-E levels of Atopic patients treated with Azadirachta indica-Q and Echinacea angustifolia-Q

The classic Definition of Immunityis protection from Infectious pathogen & the normal immune response.An important undesirable side effect of immunity is the development,under some conditions, of allergy or other types of Immune Hypersensitivity.

Hypersensitivity is defined as an exaggerated orinappropriate state of normal immune response with onset of adverse effects onthe body.For the induction of Hypersensitive reactions, the hostshould have had contact with the antigen (allergen). During first contact ofhost with antigen, sensitisation takes place. Subsequent contact with allergencauses manifestation of Type-1 Hypersensitivity.

Antibodies (Cytotropic IgE) are fixed on surface oftissue cells in sensitized individuals. These combines with cell fixedantibody, leading to release of pharmacologically active substances whichproduce the clinical reaction.

‘Atopy’ is defined as a personal and/or familial tendency,to become sensitized and produce IgE antibodies in response to ordinaryexposure to allergens, usually proteins. Therefore Atopy is an IgE antibodyhigh-responder who may or may not have clinical symptoms.Symptomsof Type-I hyper­sensitivity that begin after a clearly defined environmen­talexposure should prompt to eliminate future exposure to the suspected allergen.

The heart of the allergic response lies in thequantity and specificity of IgE production of patients to allergens. Thehistory, aided by a physical examination and objec­tive tests of IgEsensitivity (either skin tests or serum IgE measurements), is often used todiagnose Allergic / Atopic conditions.

Azadirachta indica (Neem) andEchinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf coneflower) are found tobe effective as immune modulators both in Animal and Human Studies conductedearlier. They are also found to be effective in treating Atopic patients inHomoeopathy too.

These details intended me to do the comparativestudy of the effectiveness of the two said medicines in controlling serum Ig-Elevels of atopic patients.