title: Homeopathic drug discovery: theory update and methodological aspect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Homeopathy treats patient on the basis of totality of symptoms and is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. It uses ultra-low doses of highly diluted natural substances as remedies that originate from plants, minerals or animals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this review are to discuss concepts, controversies and research related to understanding homeopathy in the light of modern science.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attempts have been made to focus on current views of homeopathy and to delineate its most plausible mechanism(s) of action.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although some areas of concern remain, research carried out so far both in vitro and in vivo validates the effects of highly diluted homeopathic medicines in a wide variety of organisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The precise mechanism(s) and pathway(s) of action of highly diluted homeopathic drugs are still unknown.
authors.affiliation: University of Kalyani, Department of Zoology, Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Kalyani-741235, India +91 33 25828768 ; +91 33 25828282 ; prof_arkb@yahoo.co.in khudabukhsh_48@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Anisur Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khuda-Bukhsh
authors.forename: Surajit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pathak