The efficacy of Vanadium metallicum 30 cH and Aletris farinosa 30 cH in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia based on serum ferritin level – A randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Anaemia is a condition that is characterised by a reduced number of red blood cells or haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. It is primarily observed in women of reproductive age. It is a serious global public health problem that is affecting young children and pregnant women, i.e., women of reproductive age.^[1] Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has a worldwide effect on individual health and an impact on the national and international health economics. One-third of the world’s population is affected by iron deficiency, and this deficiency can affect multiple systems of our body.^[2] The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anaemia as blood Hb<12 g/dL in females and <13 g/dL in males.^[3] Around 33% of the total world population is anaemic. According to the WHO, in 2019, global anaemia in the world was about 29.9% in females of the reproductive age group. Among them, 29.6% are non-pregnant women of reproductive age and 36.5% are pregnant women. 39.8% of children below 5 years are anaemic.^[1,4] Amongst the WHO regions, the highest prevalence of anaemia is ranked 1^st by Africa (60.2%) and ^2nd by Southeast Asia.^[4] In India, according to the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019–2021), 25% of men and 57% of women in the reproductive age group are affected by anaemia. Amongst them, 59.1% are adolescent girls, 31.1% are adolescent boys, 52.2% are pregnant women and 67.1% are children.^[5]

According to the International Classification of Diseases, IDA is classified under D50. It can vary a wide range of symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, tachycardia, weakness, giddiness, anorexia, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, pallor, koilonychia, numbness and infertility. It can affect the quality of life significantly, regardless of causing anaemia.^[6] The prevention of IDA requires an approach that addresses all the potential causative factors. Interventions to prevent and correct iron deficiency include measures to increase iron intake through food-based approaches, namely dietary diversification and food fortification with iron, iron supplementation and improved health services and sanitation. Iron supplementation, however, is the mainstay of treatment.^[7] However, overdose of iron supplementation can cause various gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and staining of teeth.

Homoeopathy treatment focuses on improving the absorption and utilisation of iron in the body, rather than relying solely on supplementation according to the recommended dietary allowances, thus addressing the underlying cause.^[7] According to Clarke^[8], Aletris farinosa^[9] is characterised by weariness, want of appetite, fainting with vertigo, disgust of food, heavy feelings, weight loss, emaciation, etc. According to Boericke, it is characterised by anaemia of chlorotic girls.^[10] Vanadium metallicum^[10] acts as ‘an energetic excitant of nutrition’, and probably an oxidant stimulating organic combustion.^[11] It increases Hb and combines with oxygen and toxins to destroy their virulence.^[9,12]

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Participants

A total of 250 patients were screened for symptoms suggestive of anaemia. 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling. And the study was conducted as per workflow [Flowchart 1]. Inclusion criteria were age above 18 years, female gender, Hb level <12 g/dL and low serum ferritin levels confirming IDA. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, recent history of malaria or worm infestation and systemic illness within the past 6 weeks.

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Flowchart 1:

Workflow of the study.

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RESULTS

Group A (Vanadium metallicum 30C) showed a significant rise in haemoglobin from 9.91±0.79 to 10.97±0.75 (p = 0.000) and ferritin from 13.39±4.42 to 37.96±15.72 (p = 0.001).

Group B (Aletris farinosa 30C) showed ferritin improvement from 13.35±5.37 to 37.26±15.56 (p = 0.000) and haemoglobin from 9.23±1.64 to 9.70±1.87 (p = 0.006).

Group C (Placebo) showed no significant changes in either parameter.

Cohen’s d for ferritin was 2.06 (Group A) and 2.02 (Group B), indicating large effects. ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test showed significant differences between Groups A/B vs. C (p < 0.001), but no significant difference between A and B (p = 0.972).

DISCUSSION

This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that both Vanadium metallicum 30 cH and A. farinosa 30 cH significantly improved serum ferritin levels in women with IDA, with Vanadium also producing a more pronounced improvement in Hb. This study provides preliminary clinical evidence for the effectiveness of these remedies and is consistent with their traditional homoeopathic use.

Strong therapeutic potential is indicated by the extremely large effect sizes (Cohen’s d >2.0) for ferritin improvement in both treatment groups, especially when contrasted with the insignificant changes observed in the placebo group. This aligns with classical materia medica descriptions: Vanadium metallicum is recognised for stimulating oxidation and nutrient absorption, while A. farinosa is often indicated in weak, anaemic women with uterine and digestive complaints.

The current study provides new insights into the clinical efficacy of Vanadium and Aletris, two remedies that have historically been underutilised in rigorous research, despite Ferrum metallicum and Ferrum phosphoricum having been studied more thoroughly in the homeopathic treatment of anaemia. Interestingly, only the Vanadium group exhibited significant clinical effects, despite Hb improving in both treatment groups. A. farinosa displayed a slight rise in Hb, and in some instances, a slight decrease. This could be due to patient-specific variables such as dietary practices or responsiveness to treatment.

The study backs up the use of serum ferritin as a useful endpoint and diagnostic marker in clinical trials assessing homeopathic treatments for IDA. Crucially, the lack of unfavourable incidents in every group highlights the safety of these interventions.

CONCLUSION

The study’s findings provide valuable insights into improving Hb and serum ferritin levels in cases of IDA. In this study, amongst 3 groups with 10 patients, each patient showed marked improvement in treatment with IDA. Upon comparing the two medicines, Vanadium is more effective than Aletris in treating IDA, a finding that is also statistically significant. Thus, both medicines, Vanadium metallicum 30 cH and A. farinosa 30 cH, are effective in treating IDA based on serum ferritin levels. However, in terms of Hb levels, Vanadium metallicum 30 cH shows greater efficacy than A. farinosa 30 cH. Furthermore, research is to be conducted to know the efficacy of Vanadium metallicum 30 cH and A. farinosa 30 cH in the treatment of IDA.