OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess the efficacy of homeopathic prepared Galphimia glauca compared to placebo in the treatment of pollinosis. 2) To estimate the corresponding overall success rate of Galphimia glauca. Meta-analysis of clinical trials. STUDY SELECTION: 7 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials and 4 not placebo-controlled trials (1 randomized and controlled, 1 prospective uncontrolled, 2 retrospective uncontrolled) performed by our study group between 1980 and 1989. An additional MEDLINE search revealed no further trials on this topic. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were identical over all trials. In total, 1038 ambulatory patients that suffered from acute pollinosis (752 in placebo-controlled trials) entered the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative frequency and relative risk for showing noticeable and soothing relief in ocular symptoms as assessed by the patient. The overall rate of improved eye-symptoms is about 1.25 (CI: 1.09 to 1.43) times higher in the verum than in the placebo group. Verum success rate is estimated by 79.3% (CI: 74.1% to 85.0%). Across the single studies the results were highly comparable except for the study run in 1985. A significant superiority of Galphimia glauca over placebo is demonstrated. Estimates of verum success rates are comparable with those of conventional antihistaminics, but no side effects occurred. As not all of the single studies were analyzed by intention to treat analysis the results may be biased.

We investigated the efficacy of the polysaccharide derived from black currant, named cassis polysaccharide (CAPS), for inhibiting Japanese cedar pollinosis symptoms and improving quality of life by a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 2006. A total of 28 subjects were enrolled in the study, and 10 subjects in each group completed the trial. Although there was no significant difference between the CAPS and placebo group in the weekly mean value of any symptom in the daily symptom diary at any time, a smaller degree of final symptom aggravation was found in the CAPS group. Significant aggravation of the score was finally observed in the placebo group with inferior conch swelling and with sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eye and watery eye in the Japan rhino-conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire assessment, while the changes observed in the CAPS group were not significant. In conclusion, our findings clearly indicate that CAPS would be useful as a food supplement in assisting the treatment of Japanese cedar pollinosis.