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Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent, disabling, and costly disorder worldwide. From a long time ago, headaches have been known to be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Headaches originating from gastric complaints were appreciated by Persian Medicine (PM) scholars. Today, functional GI disorders are shown to have high comorbidity with migraines; however, a causal relationship is not accepted today and pathophysiological explanations for this comorbidity are scarce. Therefore, based on the PM philosophy and the existing evidence, we aimed to propose an explanation for the co-morbidity of migraine and GI disorders.Summary: Noxious stimuli from the GI tract are relayed to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the brain stem, which is located close to the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). TNC has shown projections to (NTS) through which frequent GI stimuli may antidromically reach the TNC and finally result in neurogenic inflammation. In addition, immune products, particularly histamine, are released in the submucosa of the GI tract and absorbed into the systemic circulation, which renders migraineurs more prone to attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different parts of the alfalfa plant (Medicago sativa L.), especially its seeds, have been introduced as a semen quality enhancer in the folk medicine of different regions of Iran as well as in the traditional Persian medicine (PM) books. The seeds of this plant are also used in many combined medicines to treat male infertility in PM. This study was designed to investigate the effect of M. sativa seed powder plus vitamin E vs. vitamin E alone on semen analysis of men with idiopathic infertility. In this randomized clinical trial, 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups and then received M. sativa seed powder (6 g daily) or placebo for three months, as add-on to vitamin E (100 U). Results of semen analysis (sperm total count, motility, and morphology as well as semen volume) of these two groups and their changes were compared before and after treatment as the primary outcome. The number of pregnancies after one month and probable side effects were also assessed. After 12 weeks, sperm total count changed from 36.2 ± 21.8 × 106/ml to 48.5 ± 19.1 × 106/ml in M. sativa and from 39.5 ± 23.5 × 106/ml to 41.2 ± 20.9 × 106/ml in placebo, percentage of normal morphology changed from 1.8 ± 0.8% to 2.6 ± 1.2 % in M. sativa and from 2.0 ± 0.9% to 2.6 ± 1.2% in placebo and percentage of motile sperm changed from 36.5 ± 11.8 % to 39.7 ± 12.0% in M. sativa and from 39.3 ± 10.1 % to 38.1 ± 12.1% in placebo. The improvements in M. sativa group are significantly better than placebo group (P = 0.00, 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). However, semen volume decreased in both groups, but its changes were not significant. The number of pregnancies was four in the intervention and zero in placebo group. One case with abdominal bloating and one with respiratory allergy withdrew from the intervention group. No other adverse effect was reported. In this study, significant improvement was detected in sperm parameters (except semen volume) of men with idiopathic infertility in M. sativa plus vitamin E group in compare to vitamin E alone after 12 weeks. These findings suggest that the M. sativa , as a complementary therapy, may have a beneficial effect on semen quality. More clinical trials with larger sample size are needed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a medicinal plant widely used in culinary and medicine all over the world. The seeds are a valuable traditional remedy in gynaecological problems. This paper aims to review clinical evidence and traditional use of fenugreek in women's health, along with possible pharmacological mechanisms. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as ethnopharmacological studies and textbooks of traditional medicines were searched to collect all relevant data. Fenugreek is used for gynaecological problems in different traditional medicines, including Persian medicine and Ayurveda. It has also been widely used in ethnomedicine of different parts of the world for women's health. Several clinical studies confirm the beneficial effects of fenugreek in breastfeeding, dysmenorrhoea, polycystic ovary syndrome, and menopause. There are limited studies on the use of this plant in ovarian diseases, infertility, and vaginal atrophy. Conclusively, fenugreek is a valuable medicinal plant in women's health, and thus future studies are recommended to further clarify the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of this plant in this category of diseases. [Display omitted] • Fenugreek is used for women's health in several traditional medicines. • The most important medicinal parts of fenugreek are the seeds. • Fenugreek is useful to improve breastfeeding, dysmenorrhoea, and menopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lotus corniculatus L. (Fabaceae) traditionally used in Persian folk medicine to heal peritoneal inflammation and back pain. To explore the antinociceptive (acute pain) and anti-neuropathic (chronic pain) activities of Lotus corniculatus leaves essential oil (LCEO) in addition to uncovering the possible mechanisms of antinociception. LCEO as well as the pure oleanolic acid (OA) compound, were assayed for their effects on acute (formalin induced paw licking test or FIPT) and chronic (cervical contusion injury models on the fifth cervical vertebra or CCS; 14-day intervals) pain. The possible involvements of NO-cGMP-K+ channel, TRPV, dopamine, cannabinoid, PPAR, adrenergic, and opioid mechanisms in the antinociceptive activity of LCEO have studied by formalin test. The levels of p53 and inflammatory markers were measured using a streptavidin biotin immune peroxidase complex and ELISA methods, respectively. The LCEO and OA exerted antinociceptive activity in the first-phase of FIPT. Pretreatment with antagonists of TRPV1, dopamine D2, cannabinoid type1 and 2, and NO-cGMP-K+ channel blockers (glibenclamide, L-NAME and methylene blue) attenuated the antinociceptive effect of LCEO in FIPT. In addition, LCEO and OA meaningfully reduced hyperalgesia (days 6–14) and mechanical allodynia (days 2–14) in the CCS model. LCEO suppressed the apoptotic marker (p53) in CCS model and also ameliorated IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-1 in the spinal cord. Finally, LCEO inhibited acute (possibly via the modulation of opioid, TRPV, dopamine, cannabinoid mechanisms as well as NO-cGMP-K+ channel) and chronic pain (via suppressing apoptotic and inflammatory markers) in male rats. The results also suggest that OA has analgesic activity against acute and chronic pain conditions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 65 factors were identified as effective factors in the future of Persian medicine. • The future of the Persian medicine system is relatively stable. • Iranian development plans are a crucial factor in Persian medicine's future. • The stability of Persian medicine is influenced by Iranian development plans. Persian medicine is a holistic medical school with deep roots. It has a high educational, research, and therapeutic capacity and has been the focus of Iran's general health policies in recent years. Futures studies aid policymakers and health managers in creating normative scenarios and developing action plans using various techniques. This study aimed to identify important drivers and factors that affect the future of the Persian medicine system. This qualitative research was conducted with a futures studies approach, using the Cross-Impact Analysis (CIA) in three main steps. The first and second steps were conducted using interviews and focus group discussions. In the first step, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Persian medicine experts to identify all factors affecting the future of Persian medicine. In the second step, we held three focus group discussions with 9 interviewees from step one with national-level influence to determine the influence and dependence of each factor. The third step was performed using the matrix CIA and MICMAC to identify the key factors affecting the future of Persian medicine. Sixty five variables affecting the future of Persian medicine were identified, 36 related to the health system, and 29 to external factors. Factors such as globalization, knowledge-based economy, the spread of non-communicable and chronic diseases, as well as people's views and attitudes towards Persian medicine, are considered key drivers and variables that will affect the future of the Persian medicine system. The Iranian development plans as a two-dimensional and risk factor are crucial in establishing Persian medicine. The future of the Persian medicine system is relatively stable. The pattern of the Iranian development plans is considered the most important two-faceted factor as a risk factor in the establishment of the Persian medicine system. It is suggested that the position of the Persian medicine system in the Iranian development plans be made more prominent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Persian (Iranian) medicine is one of the oldest traditional medical science with more than 1000 years of history. Scientometrics studies on the current research achievement of Persian medicine in academic communities are lacking. The purpose of this study is assessment and analysis of scientific attainment of Persian medicine in international research publication and provides overview of research efforts in the field of Persian traditional medicine until 2015. METHODS: Documents were collected from Pub Med database with these keywords: “Iranian medicine”, “Persian medicine”, “Iranian traditional medicine” and “Persian traditional medicine”. All data were classified based on type of manuscript, field of study, kind of research, journal type and publication year. FINDINGS: 502 Articles were found up to the end of 2015; 54.3% original articles, 26% review, 13.7% letter to editor, 29% biographical and historical articles. Pharmacological and phytochemical studies were the most published articles (14/7%). Between 139 journals which published these articles, 59% have Impact factor (IF) and highest IF belonged to the Lancet neurol J (23/46). More than one citation was reported in 43.7% of articles and the most citation belong to the one of the published article in year 2012 (23 citation). H-Index of all collected articles was 12. CONCLUSION: The number of published articles in Persian (Iranian) Medicine had significant growth in the last years. But usage of several keywords for Persian traditional medicine, by authors, inhibits aggregation and availability to these. However proposed unique full or abbreviate name be used in all published research document.

Some believe that ancient mythological and literary texts solely aimed to amuse and entertain, and were sprouted from their feelings and thoughts, and do not regard the study of the ancient and mythological stories as having the definiteness and clarity which science is known for it. Hence, this is why mythological stories in reality convey the beliefs, nature, attitudes and the extent of human knowledge at some point in history. They account for one of the most important signs of civilization and an important factor in creating cultural ties and dominance in the past. It is on this basis that literature is considered as a symbol of cultural competence and civilization of various nations. Although Ferdosi’s Shanameh from Iran and Fēng Shén Yǎn Yì from China are independent works, numerous similarities in various fields including mythological and medical elements are to be found. It can be concluded that the effects of each of these works have acknowledged the signs of old historical relations between Iran and China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: From the viewpoint of traditional medicine, tongue reflects internal body states. The purpose of this study is to summarize the viewpoints of Persian Medicine (PM) references regarding importance of diagnostic uses of tongue. METHODS: Authentic PM manuscripts and perspectives of their writers were investigated in this descriptive study. We also searched online scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran and SID for keywords such as "Tongue" and "Traditional Persian Medicine" and their Persian equivalent. Results: In our initial survey, we obtained 208 articles that were somehow related to significance of tongue in traditional medicine; among them, 66 articles were related to diagnostic indices of tongue in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). No research was found to be independently dedicated to status of tongue in PM. From the viewpoint of PM manuscripts, features such as color, size, form, heaviness, dryness and wetness of tongue play a key role in diagnosing the condition of internal organs, particularly stomach, brain and liver. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, although PM references emphasize on using features of tongue as diagnostic criteria, no specific pattern or category has been presented regarding diagnostic criteria of tongue so far. Therefore, designing standard tools for determining tongue features is essential in PM researches

Persian medicine (PM) scholars have explained the structure and function of each organ based on clinical observations and past experiences. The liver is one of the three commanders in the body (brain, heart, liver) that manages nutrition and growth. This study was aimed to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the Liver as presented in PM school and compare with conventional medicine. Relevant keywords were searched through PM reference books, Google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. After extracting the data, the results were classified in terms of concepts and categories. PM scholars believe that liver is one of the first organs created in the fetal period. In their view, the liver has a warm and wet temperament. In this manner the natural blood’s temperament is warm and wet and it arises from the temperance of the liver and its correct function. In conventional medicine, the Liver consists an operational unit called hepatic lobule and plays an important role in the metabolism of the nutrition’s and growth of tissues. Overview of fetal origin, structure and function of the liver between these two schools of medicine interpreted in many ways, revealed many similarities. Thus, we can utilize PM's point of view on the liver and its important functions in the body, especially in the field of disease prevention and treatment.

Infertility affects about 10-15% of couples in reproductive age, and puts a lot of economic burden on communities. Persian Medicine (PM) introduces perspectives on causes of infertility that can be useful in prevention and treatment of this common healthcare problem. Gastrointestinal problems are one of the causes of infertility based on PM literature. The purpose of this study was to collect evidence of gastrointestinal problems associated with infertility in conventional medicine, and ultimately compare the results with the viewpoints of PM. By reviewing literature on PM, we classified the digestive causes of infertility and then, by searching the keywords "infertility" and "gastrointestinal disorders" and symptoms such as, "dueodenal ulcer", "pepticulcer", "dyspepsia","fatty liver","maldigestion", "H. Pylori infection", "celiac", "inflammatory bowel disease", and "obesity" in databases of SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science. Based on the review of the literature on PM, gastrointestinal causes of infertility include digestive failure, liver weakness, and inappropriate eating habits. There is also a growing scientific evidence of this connection in modern medicine. Attention to the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in patients with infertility can help to treat unknown causes of infertility.

Cancer is the second cause of mortality in the world causing poor quality of life. Persian Medicine (PM) is mentioned about cancer in details. Many herbs are claimed to be useful in cancer. This paper aimed to search the most common herbal drugs affecting the cancer based on PM literature. This is a review study based on PM literatures and the electronic databases such as Pub Med and Scopus with the terms like herbal drug and cancer. The study found 15 herbs affecting the cancer. Most of these herbs were investigated in the recent studies. It is recommended further evaluation on plants mentioned in PM books, particularly those with no clinical trials or laboratory tests.

Grief is an unavoidable emotional reaction against the death of beloved ones that can lead to psychiatric disorders. Persian medicine (PM) scholars have made considerable recommendations regarding emotional reactions including grief. This research was carried out by studying outstanding PM textbooks (Canon of Medicine, Zakhireye Kharazmshahi, ExirAzamand kholasa al hekma) with specific keywords related to the emotional reaction, then a series of database queries (PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct) were performed to reconfirm the efficacy of PM recommendations by conventional medicine. PM physicians considered emotional reactions as one of the most important factors in physical or mental dysfunction. They treated bereaved patients based on their mental and cardiovascular conditions. They used a combination of appropriate nutrition, herbal medicines (Amygdalus communis L., Cinnamomum zylanicum, Crocus sativus L., Cydonia oblonga etc.), physical movement (exercise, massage therapy, game etc.) and psychotherapy (music therapy, aromatherapy etc.) for grief resolution. PM is one of the old paradigms of medicine that can improve psychological and physical complications of grief. Grief is one of the debilitative emotions that can influence patient quality of life so it is important and necessary that health authorities and physicians employ the total potential of medical science for patients’ treatment and rehabilitation.

Throughout history, human has experienced accident and natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. One of the problems that people encounter after natural disasters is the spiritual and mental complications such as sadness and grief that are inevitable in accidents and disasters and inappropriate treatment leads to physical problems for individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Persian medicine in reducing the spiritual and mortal complications arising from natural disasters. The Persian medicine considers six essential principles (seteyeh zarooriyeh) for keeping health including climate (Ab va Hava), eating and drinking (Khordan va Ashamidan), sleep and wakefulness (Khab va Bidari), body movement and immobility (Harkat va Sokon), retention and excretion of materials (Ehtebas va Estefragh), spiritual and mental moods (Aaraze nafsani). Persian medicine has a special focus on spiritual and mental moods; because they can have a very quick and profound effect on the health of individuals. In the other words, sadness, fear and depression lead to reduction of the body strength and slowness of the refreshing process after natural disaster; while moderate happiness boosts the strengths and increase the life expectancy as well; and makes the work progress faster. Persian medicine scholars have suggested the medical treatments and non-pharmaceutical measures. Medical recommendations include the use of refreshing exhilarating (mofarrehat). One of the non-pharmaceutical measures for the survivors of critical accident to have an active spirit for resuming the life is using influence of the words power of the individuals trusted by the people. The views of Persian medicine scholars can be considered as a good way to improve the spiritual -mental states of injured people from natural disasters and to reduce their therapeutic costs. Conducting clinical studies is recommended in this regard.

Hair loss is a common problem among more than half of the world's population. The present study aimed to review and assess the etiologies, symptoms and basics of its treatment according to Persian medicine (PM). The main PM books including the Canon of Medicine, Zakhireh Kharazmshahi, Moalejat-e Aghili, Exir-e A’zam, Teb-e Akbari and Makhzan al-adviyah were searched and the related content on hair loss have been extracted. According to PM textbooks, the causes of hair loss can be divided into four categories: skin and hair nutrition disorders (low quality and quantity of nutrients, basal metabolism disorder, circulation of nutrients and skin absorption), skin pore problems (dilation and obstruction), inflammation, and environmental damage. To differentiate the above causes, several symptoms such as hair strand diameters, greasy or dry hair, the scalp condition at the affected area and general symptoms such as weakness and exhaustion were considered. In modern medicine sources, several causes are mentioned to be involved in the process of hair loss including nutritional disorders and anemia, hormonal disorders like thyroid problems, genetics and environmental factors. Applying topical oils of Myrtle, Emblic myrobalan, Myrobalan, Acacia, Oak gall, Lotus, and Violet, as well as the mucilage of marshmallow, common mallow, Psyllium and also labdanum along with nutrition correction and consumption of nutritious foods such as almond, currant and walnut based on the type of hair loss have been recommended. Considering that the causes of hair loss in PM and modern medicine are similar, it seems that therapeutic recommendations of PM provide a suitable ground for future studies.

Chronic wounds reduce patient's quality of life by complications such as pain, secretions, and reduction of movement and impose large costs to health system. Thus, looking for treatment methods with higher success and less complications seems to be necessary. In Persian medicine, a variety of specific nutrients and medicinal plants have been recommended for chronic wounds. The aim of present study is to scientifically evaluate the nutrients and medicinal plants claimed to be effective for chronic wounds in Persian medicine. Nutrients and medicinal plants recommended for chronic wounds in Persian medicine have been extracted from corresponding literatures. The obtained items were individually searched in electronic databases to obtain any in vitro, animal, or clinical evidence of their efficacy and possible underlying mechanisms. The treatment of chronic wounds in Persian medicine consists of three steps .At first step some special foods like egg yolk and fig with special characteristics such as hematopoietic effect and antimicrobial activity are recommended. Administration of natural remedies in order to reduce internal inflammation and improve wound healing process such as Crocus sativus and Aloe vera consists of the second step. Finally the third step includes the use of topical natural agents that affects various stages of wound healing and can complete the wound healing process. According to Persian medicine, administration nutrients and medicinal plants is prior to topical treatments for management of chronic wounds. This strategy provides a new approach for management of chronic wounds and seems to be more useful than conventional treatment which is mostly focused on topical treatment

A 32-yr-old man with a 10-yr history of scalp seborrhea referred to Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran, Iran, in 2015. He suffered from scalp seborrhea. Concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms and the changes in the clinical symptoms after consumption of the polyherbal traditional drug called Triphala are discussed. The scalp sebum was measured with a Sebumeter SM815. Gastrointestinal symptoms were followed using a valid questionnaire. After two months of treatment, scalp sebum secretion had decreased substantially. The patient also experienced remarkable improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms. Considering the positive effect of this known and safe polyherbal drug on skin sebum, it is an appropriate option for detailed large-scale clinical trials.

Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) caused by resistant microorganisms is one of the common reasons of mortality in hospitalized patients, which causes many complications and costs. In addition, nutritional support of a patient with pneumonia is very important. In this article, we present a case of pneumonia in which the therapeutic and nutritional instructions of Persian Medicine (PM) saved a patient’s life. The patient suffered from multiple trauma, affected by HAP during hospitalization. He was treated with a variety of broad-spectrum antibiotics for 9 days, but no improvement in the fever and respiratory state was observed, and eventually he was intubated and transferred to the ICU. Due to lack of improvement, he was treated with PM. One day after starting the treatment with PM, fever was reduced and was discontinued the following day. Three days later, the respiratory state improved and the chest X-ray was normal. Eventually, after 6 days the patient was discharged from the ICU. Before starting the PM orders, despite the administration of multiple antibiotics, due to the lack of proper diet, there was no satisfactory response to treatment. The therapeutic approach of PM began with diet modification and improvement of the patient's digestive system and simultaneously benefited from herbal medicines to improve the patient's pulmonary status. The therapeutic methods of PM with special attention to temperament and the individual type of treatment and nutrition can be useful in many cases where conventional therapies do not improve the complications of the disease.

Traditional medicine has a long history of use in health maintenance and in disease prevention and treatment in different countries. Persian medicine (PM) is an old system rich in information about medicinal plants. Persian scientists have explained their beliefs about world phenomena by theory of quadruple temperaments as hot, cold, dry and moist. Makhzan al-Adviyah is one of the main PM herbal pharmacopeias. In this study, the useful medicinal plants for kidney, their temperament and suggested application were extracted from Makhzan al-Adviyah. Results obtained from this research showed that 66 plants with exact scientific name were mentioned in this pharmacopeia for kidney diseases. 65% of these plants have hot and dry temperaments which may be useful for restoring misbalanced temperaments of kidney diseases. From these plants, Pistacia lentiscus L. and Origanum vulgare L. showed beneficial effects to improve kidney disease through cellular and animal studies. Considering the long history and effectiveness of PM in the treatment of diseases, medicinal plants that presented in this study have important value for more research especially well designed clinical trials.

Phlebotomy, a therapeutic method of bloodletting typically performed using a needle, has a traditional technique known as "Fasd." In this method, blood is extracted by creating a longitudinal incision on a vein (3-5 mm) with a surgical scalpel blade, usually blade No. 11. Due to the incision in the vessel wall, establishing hemostasis is more challenging compared to conventional methods. Hemostasis is usually achieved within minutes after Fasd. We present a case highlighting an uncommon yet significant complication of traditional phlebotomy. A 55-year-old man with no prior medical conditions underwent traditional phlebotomy at an academic traditional medicine clinic. Senior MD-PhD students in Iranian Traditional Medicine, under professor supervision, performed Fasd. A sterile scalpel blade No. 11 was used to create a longitudinal incision of approximately 4 mm on the patient's median basilic vein in the right hand. After removing 400 cc of blood, a pressure dressing was applied to the incision site. Despite attempts such as hand elevation, ice pack application, prolonged direct pressure, and tight elastic bandaging, bleeding from the incision persisted. After an hour of supportive therapy, hemostasis was eventually achieved within a few minutes using burnt cotton dressing (a traditional method for blood hemostasis). Following intravenous hydration, the patient was discharged in stable condition and reported no issues during the one-month follow-up. The traditional phlebotomy (Fasd) carries the risk of serious complications, including uncontrolled and prolonged bleeding. Further research on the efficacy and safety of burnt cotton dressing for controlling hemostasis is recommended., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The author declares no conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute.)

Background: Urtica pilulifera L. seed (UPS) is a Persian traditional medicine prescription that positively affects female infertility., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of UPS on a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) model induced by cyclophosphamide in Balb/c mice., Materials and Methods: A single intraperitoneal (75 mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide was administered to establish a DOR model. 25 female Balb/c mice (6-8 wk, 25 ± 2 gr) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 5/each), including control (normal saline), model (DOR), DOR+50, DOR+100, and DOR+200 (mg/kg UPS, gavage) groups for 14 days. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutases, apoptosis, and histopathological alterations were analyzed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify the phytochemicals of the UPS., Results: It was observed that the UPS extract reduced malondialdehyde concentration and apoptosis in the DOR model as well as enhanced superoxide dismutases activity in the ovaries in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it exerted a modulatory effect on steroidal hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. The histopathological analysis revealed the therapeutic potential of the UPS extract. The main chemical components of UPS were linoleic acid (59.25%), n-hexadecanoic acid (10.36%), and oleic acid (8.29%)., Conclusion: The results indicated that the UPS extract has therapeutic potential in the DOR model. This potential is attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress, modulation of apoptosis, and regulation of steroidal hormones that may be associated with the observed beneficial effects of fatty acids on fertility improvement., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Hekmat et al.)

Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest to disclose.

Objective: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has a positive effect on respiratory diseases. Oleo-gum of Ferula assa-foetida contains this compound. This study assessed the effects of Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin and tragacanth (Phytopaj) on patients with COVID-19., Materials and Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial (RCT) phase 2 was conducted in Mashhad on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this RCT, 122 patients were randomly assigned to either receive a 14-day oral phytopaj plus ordinary treatment or ordinary treatment only. Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte count (LC) and blood oxygen saturation (PO 2 ) were the endpoints., Results: Mean±SD of PO 2 in Phytopaj comparison ordinary treatment before intervention was 91.86±4.62 and 91.41±9.18, after the intervention it was 93.22±4.26 and 91.91±5.92 mmHg; before intervention, mean±SD of peripheral blood lymphocyte count was 1015.90±500.55, and 1104.28±543.61, and after intervention, it was 1652.27±921.38 and 1326.12±719.28/μL respectively., Conclusion: Phyopaj is most useful in moderate stages of Covid19, and it is not recommended for elderly patients and patients with comorbidity until more insight is gained., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder in elderly with progressive decline in cognitive functions. This study aimed to investigate the possible memory-improving effects of Olibanum on patients with Alzheimer's disease., Research Design and Method: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 72 participants aged 50-75 years. The intervention group (n = 36) received 1.6 g/day of olibanum chewing gum for 18 weeks. The placebo group (n = 36) received chewing gum without olibanum. Neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline, every 4 weeks, and after 18 weeks of the intervention., Results: There was no significant difference between (MD: 0.84, 95%CI: -1.10 to 2.78, p = 0.392) at baseline. Both groups had linear improvements over time. There was no significant difference between two groups regarding the improvements after the intervention (F = 0.157, p = 0.693). There were no significant differences between the groups for MMSE score (Mini-Mental State Examination) after the intervention (F = 0.141, p = 0.708)., Conclusions: This study revealed that 18 weeks of gum chewing with Olibanum did not change the neuropsychological status. More clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings., (© 2023 The Authors. Neuropsychopharmacology Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology.)

Background/aim: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs. Cupping therapy is a traditional method used in Persian medicine for treating various ailments. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of wet cupping therapy (WCT) in patients with mild to moderate asthma., Materials and Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 103 asthma patients who were referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by a pulmonologist based on the patient's history and clinical examinations. The patients who were treated with common asthma medications were assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent one session of WCT in the region between two shoulders on one of the 17th, 19th, and 21st days of the lunar month. The clinical signs of all patients were gathered based on the asthma control test questionnaire before the intervention and in the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. The scores of the five questionnaire items and the mean total treatment score (MTTS) were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the satisfaction scores of the participants in the two groups were compared., Results: Of 103 patients, 82 patients completed the study. The mean total treatment score (MTTS) was not significantly different between the control and intervention groups at the beginning of the study (p = 0.06). In the intervention group, the MTTS was 11.44 before WCT, while it was significantly increased (24.24) eighth week after the intervention (p < 0.001). However, the MTTS in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group in the first week (p <0.001). In addition, at the end of the trial, the subjects' satisfaction scores in the WCT and control groups were 7.48 and 4.53, respectively (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Wet cupping therapy can be an efficient therapeutic method to ameliorate respiratory complications of asthma patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© TÜBİTAK.)

Background: Osteoporosis is a complex disease that poses major global public health challenges. Many individuals with osteoporosis turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for prevention and management. Due to its mineral contents, Padzahr, a type of clay used in traditional Persian medicine, is believed to have bone-forming properties. This study examined the impact of Padzahr on bone remodeling in postmenopausal women with low bone density., Materials and Methods: In this randomized double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial, 48 postmenopausal women with osteopenia were included. The participants were divided into two groups, with 24 participants in each group. One group received Padzahr, and the other group received a placebo. The participants took their assigned treatment for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken from participants at the study's beginning and end to compare the two groups' serum levels of bone remodeling biomarkers., Results: At the outset of the study, the two groups were similar and there were no significant differences in any of the measured variables. Additionally, the levels of bone turnover markers were not significantly different between the two groups at the start of the study (P0.05). After 12 weeks of treatment, the results of the ANCOVA analysis showed no significant changes in the serum levels of bone turnover indices when comparing the Padzahr group to the placebo group (P0.05)., Conclusion: A clinical trial of 3 months of Padzahr treatment in postmenopausal women with osteopenia did not show significant changes in serum markers of bone turnover., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest to any party., (Copyright© 2024, Galen Medical Journal.)

Background: Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases. Hyssopus officinalis L. is a medicinal herb that has shown anti-asthmatic effects and has also been recommended in Persian Medicine literature for its treatment. In this study, the efficacy of hyssop in mild to moderate asthma was investigated considering the patients' phenotype (having productive/non-productive cough)., Materials and Methods: In a randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled trial, 60 mild-to-moderate asthmatic patients were randomized to receive either hyssop syrup (5 ml twice daily containing 6g Hyssopus officinalis L. extract) or plain sugar syrup (5 ml twice daily) for 4 weeks as an adjuvant to routine treatment. Outcome measures were the Asthma Control Test (ACT), pulmonary function tests, Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3), and wheezing severity., Results: The patients with productive cough in the hyssop group showed significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), ACT (at the 4th week), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow rate 25-75 (MEF25-75%), and wheezing severity. However, those with dry cough got worse regarding these indices., Conclusion: Hyssop syrup is effective for asthmatic patients with productive cough and a higher BMI, but it is not suitable for those experiencing a dry cough. It highlights the importance of syndrome differentiation in asthmatic patients and a posteriori subgrouping in data analysis. This approach enhances treatment accuracy and response rates while reducing adverse effects. Future trials are guaranteed to approve this categorization in asthma treatment., (Copyright© 2024 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

Background: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. The synthetic drugs available in the market have side effects and limitations for diabetic patients, the vast majority of whom are in the upper age group. In this regard, based on Persian medicinal sources, Nigella sativa (N. sativa) has proved to have beneficial effects on neuropathic pain and neurological disorders. In this study, the effect of N. sativa is investigated topically in patients with diabetic neuropathy., Methods: This study was performed as a double-blind clinical trial on 120 neuropathic patients. The patients were divided into three groups. The first group received a topical N. sativa product as an ointment, the second group was given a topical placebo, and the third received 300 mg gabapentin capsules. The blindness was done in first and second groups. Diabetic neuropathy was assessed before the study using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). In addition, neuropathy symptoms were evaluated after the trial using the MNSI questionnaire., Results: The data were elicited from the patients' answers to a number of questions in the Michigan questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences between the group that received the topical N. sativa product and the other two groups in terms of legs and feet numbness (p value = 0.001), burning pain in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), muscle cramps in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), prickling fleeing in feet or legs (p value = 0.001), hurting of the skin when the bed covers touch it (p value = 0.005), aggravated symptoms at night (p value = 0.001) and hurting feelings in the legs when walking (p value = 0.032). However, the three studied groups were not statistically different in distinguishing hot water from cold water., Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the topical use of N. sativa, compared to the current drugs, has acceptable improving effects on diabetic neuropathic patients., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss (parsley) is a popular medicinal plant widely used in different traditional medicines all over the world. This paper provides an updated review on the traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of parsley. Parsley contains volatile compounds such as terpenes and terpenoids in the essential oil, as well as phenolic compounds in the plant extract. Parsley is traditionally used as a diuretic, liver and stomach tonic, and for urolithiasis and indigestion. Pharmacological investigations also confirm several biological activities of parsley including hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antiurolithiatic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antineoplastic effects in animal and cell-based studies. Parsley has currently demonstrated several pharmacological activities in preclinical studies; however, there is a big lack in clinical evidence. Considering parsley as a possible valuable medicinal food, future clinical trials are recommended to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the plant in different health conditions.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent amongst patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and may be associated with an increased risk of disease severity. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aniseed ( Pimpinella anisum L.) powder as an add-on therapy to standard care for treating gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by adults with an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The study was a randomized parallel-group double-blinded placebo-controlled add-on therapy trial. Adults with an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection who did not require hospitalization and reported at least one gastrointestinal symptom in the preceding 48 h were assigned to either the aniseed or placebo group in a 1:4 ratio. All 225 participants (45 in the aniseed group and 180 in the placebo group) were instructed to use 25 g of powdered aniseed or placebo twice daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients who experienced an improvement of at least one point in the symptom score after adjusting for age group, gender, and time. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was applied to calculate the risk ratios. The clinical symptoms and adverse events were assessed at the beginning, 1 week later, and at the end of the trial (week two). Results: Participants in the aniseed group were significantly more likely to report symptom improvement for abdominal pain [adjusted risk ratio (RR):0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-0.72], anorexia (RR:0.62; 95% CI: 0.47-0.82), and diarrhea (RR:0.19; 95% CI: 0.12-0.30), but not nausea/vomiting (RR:0.87; 95% CI: 0.71-1.08) or bloating (RR:0.87; 95% CI: 0.72-1.05). Two participants in the aniseed group and three participants in the placebo group reported mild to moderate adverse events. Conclusion: This study showed that 2 weeks of aniseed powder containing trans-anethole (87%-94%) may help improve abdominal pain, anorexia, and diarrhea in COVID-19 patients. The findings align with the known biological, multitargeted activity of P. anisum and trans-anethole, which includes inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 along with other anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-dysbiosis properties. Multicenter trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings. Clinical Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20120506009651N3)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Mosaffa-Jahromi, Molavi Vardanjani, Fuzimoto, Hunter, Lankarani and Pasalar.)

Introduction: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common side effect among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. There is no standard treatment for this symptom yet, although Persian medicine textbooks suggested some products to relieve xerostomia. We aimed to assess the efficacy of honey-lime spray in treating chemotherapy-induced xerostomia in breast cancer patients through a controlled study., Methods: In this pilot, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial conducted in Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Iran, the intervention group received honey-lime spray and nystatin, while the control group used distilled water plus nystatin for 2 weeks. The six-item dry mouth form and visual analog score (VAS) were used to evaluate xerostomia extent and pain, respectively., Results: The standardized value of the difference between the mean scores before and after the study was -10.21 (p &lt; 0.001), and the effect size was estimated at 55%. Also, VAS showed a significant decrease in pain for the intervention group compared with the control group (p &lt; 0.001). There were no serious side effects., Conclusion: Honey-lime spray may be a good treatment choice for xerostomia in chemotherapy-induced breast cancer patients, but robust trials with larger samples and prolonged follow-ups are highly recommended., Mundtrockenheit (Xerostomie) ist eine häufige Nebenwirkung bei Krebspatienten, die sich einer Chemotherapie unterziehen. Es gibt bisher keine Standardtherapie für dieses Symptom, doch Lehrbücher der persischen Medizin schlagen einige Mittel zur Linderung von Mundtrockenheit vor. Unser Ziel war es, die Wirksamkeit von Honig-Limetten-Spray zur Behandlung von chemotherapiebedingter Mundtrockenheit bei Patientinnen mit Brustkrebs im Rahmen einer kontrollierten Studie zu untersuchen.In dieser randomisierten, doppelt verblindeten klinischen Pilotstudie, die im Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital im Iran durchgeführt wurde, erhielt die Interventionsgruppe zwei Wochen lang Honig-Limetten-Spray und Nystatin und die Kontrollgruppe destilliertes Wasser plus Nystatin. Ein Mundtrockenheits-Fragebogen mit sechs Items wurde zur Beurteilung der Schwere der Mundtrockenheit verwendet und eine visuelle Analogskala zur Beurteilung der Schmerzen.Der standardisierte Wert der Differenz zwischen den mittleren Scores vor und nach der Studie betrug −10,21 (p &lt; 0,01), und die geschätzte Effektstärke betrug 55%. Zudem zeigte die VAS eine signifikante Abnahme der Schmerzen in der Interventionsgruppe im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (p &lt; 0,01). Es traten keine schwerwiegenden Nebenwirkungen auf.Honig-Limetten-Spray könnte eine gute Wahl für die Behandlung von Mundtrockenheit bei Brustkrebspatientinnen unter Chemotherapie sein, doch hierzu werden belastbare Studien mit größerem Probenumfang und längerer Nachbeobachtung nachdrücklich empfohlen., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinology condition that could affect several aspects of the patient's life., Case Presentation: We present a 27-year-old woman who was sent to the traditional Persian medicine (TPM) clinic with a diagnosis of uncontrolled chronic hyperthyroidism (lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and higher levels of T3 and T4) and its complications, such as developing exophthalmos, palpitations, anxiety, sleep problems, hair loss, and dry skin. The patient was under treatment with prednisolone and methimazole for up to 1 year, but no acceptable improvement was achieved. The patient received a package of TPM recommendations, which included lifestyle modification, Melissa officinalis herbal tea, and Persian barley water. The patient was followed for 1 year. After 2 months of follow-up of the patient, the level of TSH increased, and the level of T3 and T4 decreased. In addition, the patient's symptoms, including exophthalmos, palpitation, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and dryness of the skin, were improved considerably. After 3 months of consumption of the TPM-based regime and prescription, the serum levels of TSH, T3, and T4, of the patient were in normal ranges. In a 1-year follow-up of the patient, the patient's condition was stable and her thyroid function tests were normal. We hereby present the following case to be in line with the CAse REports (CARE) checklist., Conclusion: It appears that TPM lifestyle recommendations, M. officinalis herbal tea, and Persian barley water were effective in treating the patient with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. We recommend further studies and clinical trial designs in this regard., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Spinach is a widely cultivated dark leafy vegetable highly regarded for its medicinal properties in traditional Persian medicine. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds, and this review aims to explore the historical applications of spinach in Persian medicine and juxtapose them with current scientific evidence. Despite its historical significance, there remains a need to comprehensively evaluate and integrate traditional knowledge with modern research on the therapeutic benefits of spinach., Methods: To achieve this, a comprehensive search was conducted in Persian medicine references and scientific databases to gather information on the traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects of spinach. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were meticulously categorized, and relevant data were analyzed to draw insightful comparisons., Results: Persian medicine describes spinach as a nutrient-rich, laxative, and fast-digesting agent with therapeutic effects on inflammation, lung diseases, back pain, sore throats, jaundice, urinary disorders, joint pain, eye inflammation, insomnia, dementia, and more. Modern studies have substantially corroborated these traditional uses, revealing that spinach possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood sugar-lowering, lipid-lowering, anti-obesity, neurological, ocular, and musculoskeletal effects., Conclusion: Spinach exhibits a wide range of beneficial effects on various health conditions. Its widespread availability, low cost, and exceptional nutritional richness position it as a promising candidate for further investigation. Future studies should explore the clinical effectiveness of spinach in various diseases, while taking into consideration the principles emphasized in Persian medicine to guide research and inform therapeutic strategies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Hemiscorpius lepturus envenomation is a serious health problem in the southern provinces of Iran. The antiserum produced in Iran to counteract this scorpion venom is not entirely effective due to the risk of anaphylactic shock and other adverse effects., Methods: Therefore, more efficient alternatives to treat patients deserve attention, and plants are extensively good candidates to be studied. This study aimed to assess the potential of the aqueous fraction of Malva sylvestris in inhibiting the toxic effects of H. lepturus venom. Injection of sub-lethal dose of H. lepturus venom leads to severe tissue damage in vital organs including the kidney, liver, heart and intestine, after 24 hours., Results: By injecting 80 mg of the aqueous extract of M. sylvestris into the peritoneum helped treat the damaged tissues caused by H. lepturus venom in mice., Conclusion: Thus, Malva sylvestris could serve as an alternative treatment for scorpion sting envenomation and may be used as a drug to neutralize relevant toxic effects in patients stung by H. lepturus ., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common disorder among cancer patients receiving various chemotherapeutic protocols. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility of ajwain ( Trachyspermum ammi [L.] Sprague) cream in treating peripheral neuropathy symptoms triggered by taxane chemotherapeutic agents., Materials and Methods: This was a pilot, double-blind, and randomised clinical trial on patients with peripheral neuropathy attributable to chemotherapy with taxane drugs during 2021-2022 in Tehran. Patients received ajwain or placebo cream for four weeks and filled out the chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool (CIPNAT) at the start and end finale of the trial. Side effects were also noted., Results: Thirty patients suffering from breast, lung, gastro-intestinal, or prostate cancer were allocated to each of the drug and placebo groups. The mean difference in CIPNAT score between the groups was 0.83, demonstrating the statistical ineffectiveness of the drug compared with the placebo ( P = 0.372). The safety profile showed promising outcomes at the end of the trial., Conclusion: Although the effectiveness of ajwain cream was unacceptable in treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms, multicentre controlled trials with ample sample size are mandatory for an all-inclusive inference., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Indian Journal of Palliative Care.)

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Cuscuta epithymum (L.) L. (C. epithymum ; Convolvulaceae) is a parasitic plant that has long been used locally and traditionally in Asia, Europe and other regions. Aim of the review The study intends to reflect the significance of the C. epithymum in traditional medicine. This review aims to grant insight into the species' botany, pharmacological activities and phytochemistry with distinctive emphasis on its ethnomedicinal and traditional applications in all over the world. The review endeavors to rule out any inconsistency between the species' traditional application and its pharmacological activity, and presenting any coherence existing. Materials and methods The books on ethnomedicine and the main medieval Persian medicine textbooks including Makhzan Al- Advieh, The canon of medicine, Zakhireh kharazmshahi and etc were explored for C. epithymum. Additionally, information on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, morphology, taxonomy, modern medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities were collected in electronic databases including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed using the keywords " Cuscuta epithymum," "traditional medicine," "ethnomedicine," "phytochemistry," "pharmacology" and "activity." Then, the available articles from 1975 to 2017 were employed for this study. Results C. epithymum is a rootless plant, widely distributed and available in every continent except Antarctica. It was used traditionally in formularies or by rural people and as geriatric drug, detergent, purgative, disorders in the melancholic humor, joint, kidney, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, etc. In modern medicine, the extract of C. epithymum showed anti-microbial, cytotoxic, anticonvulsant, anti-urease, immune stimulatory, hepatoprotective effect, and antioxidant activity. The main phytochemical constituents are alkaloids; saponins; tannins; triterpenoids; steroids; carbohydrates; aromatic compounds; flavonoids and the hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Conclusion The modern pharmacological studies have validated the traditional and ethnobotanical uses of C. epithymum. However, many aspects of this herb have not been studied yet. In addition, information about the phytochemistry and toxicological profile is insufficient. Owing to the extensive traditional uses of C. epithymum. Hence further studies on pharmacological activities, phytochemistry, and toxicity and adverse effects seem to be necessary to appraise the medicinal values of C. epithymum. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic vertigo is a frustrating and expensive disease affecting individuals and society. Scientists of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) have a long held belief that there is a common type of vertigo originated from the stomach known as gastric related vertigo (GRV) and there are present, simple and low-cost treatments for GRV based on its categorization. Objective: To develop a valid tool for assessing GRV and determining the prevalence of this type of vertigo. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was designed based on GRV indices. To determine the intra-rater reliability, a test-retest method was used and kappa coefficient was measured by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS, version 17). Content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) for each question were calculated by using Lawshe table. The reliable version of the questionnaire was assessed in a sample of 135 patients with a chronic true vertigo which lasts more than three months and aged between 18 and 65 years. This study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of several university hospitals in Tehran, Iran, between May 2016 and November 2017. Results: A valid 30-item questionnaire with CVR more than 0.62, CVI more than 0.78 and kappa coefficient more than 0.7 was the main achievement of this study, which can be useful for assessment of GRV in future clinical trials. The study showed that 98 participants (72.59%) had at least one criterion of GRV. Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of GRV among patients who suffer from chronic vertigo, more studies in this field including clinical trial are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder that has not been well managed thus far. There are numerous medicaments for treatment of insomnia, but they have undesirable side effects that make herbal medicine a more viable option. Objectives: The effectiveness of a combination of Melissa officinalis L. (dry powder) and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse (freeze-dried aqueous extract) on insomnia was evaluated. Design and Setting: Insomniacs who met the entry criteria participated in a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial at the Persian Medicine (PM) clinic in Tehran. Interventions: The subjects received either 1000 mg of M. officinalis plus 400 mg N. menthoides or a placebo nightly for four weeks in accordance with prescriptions from the pharmaceutical manuscripts on PM and the results of previous studies. Outcome measures: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sleep diary, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used for assessment of insomnia. Results: Comparison of the treatment and placebo groups showed a significant decrease in the mean difference of ISI (4.97 ± 4.69 vs. 1.60 ± 3.70; p =; 0.002) and total PSQI (4.14 ± 3.69 vs. 1.42 ± 2.81; p = 0.001) scores in the treatment group. A significant increase was also observed in total sleep time of treatment group (p < 0.001) based on the sleep diary. Conclusions: A combination of M. officinalis and N. menthoides Boiss. & Buhse could be an alternative sleep improvement therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myths are truth-based narratives that exist in most nations with a lot of similarities and, of course, with minor differences. These stories are studied for recognition of the opinions, beliefs and the culture of a horde. Since the late nineteenth century, mythology has been recognized as one of the branches of science. In many tribes such as ancient Iran, the belief of vegetation of human and animals can be seen. The mythology of creation is based on the contrast between the noble Ahuraei and the devilish evil forces. At first, Ahuramazda creates all the universes in health and perfection; sky, water, earth, plant, animal and human. Ahriman attacks these creatures and causes illness and death. Ahouramazda, rose up to contradict and the plant grew up from mythical cattle organs and Mashya and Mashyaneh also grew up from Kiomars sperm. These materials can be traced and examined from three perspectives of first-hand sources such as Bun-Dahišn, Vazidagiha-i-Zaddisparam, etc., mythological sources and later research. According to these sources, and with a look at the myths of creation in ancient Persia, the creation of animals and humans from the vegetation can be deduced. In ancient Persia, like many other tribes, there existed a belief of creation of humans and animals from plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persian Medicine (PM) references contain valuable information which can be useful for health preservation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and can promote health in society. Introducing this school of medicine to the medical community requires a set of valid English equivalents to communicate PM’s fundamental concepts. This study gathers the most frequent words in PM in three forms: Persian name, English or Latin name and Persian name with English spelling, and finally a uniform English and Persian name is suggested for every word. “Iranian Scientometric Information Database - ISID” were used to find those researchers in PM and Persian pharmacy who have a PhD degree and an H-Index equal or more than 4. Then all of their review articles about PM indexed in Scopus were analysed to pinpoint the frequent words of basic principles in PM. An expert panel of five including PM and Persian pharmacy specialists, and an English language specialist decided about the best word as the final suggestion for each concept. There were 17 researches with 478 articles 77 of which were review articles. Totally 62 words were taken out of these articles. In addition, the experts decided to add 18 more words to the list. This study provides a fairly exhaustive list of words of basic principles in PM. Using these words in future studies can contribute to the uniformity of the key vocabulary in PM articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the great physicians in Iran who had expertise in medicine, surgery, and pharmacy was Sadid al-Din Kazeroni. He was a 14th century physician. No information is available on his birth and death -- only "Al-Mughni", a book, has been left to make him famous in surgical and medical knowledge. Methods: We used desk and historical research methods in this research, with a historical approach. This commonly used research method in human sciences was used to criticize and study the birthplace and works of Sadid al-Din Kazeroni. Results and Conclusion: Sadid al-Din Kazeroni discussed the exact issues in the field of anatomy, surgery, and gynecology. He was fluent in pharmacology. In his pharmacology book, for the first time, he named drugs considered necessary before and after surgery. In this study, we reviewed the biography and introduction of the works and reviewed "Al-Mughni", a book on breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinusitis is a very common inflammatory disorder that is associated with high healthcare spending and impairs life quality. Thus, in this review study, we aimed at discussing the standpoints on its diagnosis, pathophysiology, medication, and perspective management according to Persian Medicine (PM). To this goal, the studies on sinusitis were collected from the selected medical and pharmaceutical textbooks of PM to be then analyzed. A search on databases as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was also performed to reconfirm the Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial activity of reported herbs. In PM, the term Nazleh and Zokam (NaZ) was used to describe what is now named as sinusitis. It was reported that NaZ contained the substances secreted from paranasal sinuses (Botoun-e-Demaghy). Etiologically, NaZ is classified into warm and cold types. Comparing the symptoms, warm NaZ resembles Allergic rhinitis or acute episode of common cold and cold NaZ is similar to acute/chronic episode of rhinosinusitis. Based on the PM management of this disorder, modification of life style was recommended besides observing the basic treatment rules by using pharmacotherapy and following some simple manipulations. In this review, we tried to explain the medieval scientists' intervention methods for sinusitis based on their knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For several centuries, opium addiction has been a social problem all over the world. It has been prevalent in Iran from the Safavid era (1501-1736 A.D). During this period, Hakim Imad al-Din Mahmud ibn-Mas'ud Shirazi (1515-1592 A.D), also known as Imad was one of the Persian physicians who wrote one of the earliest books in the field of opium and addiction (called Afiounieh) in history. In this book, he introduced two sustained release rectal (suppository) and oral (pill) dosage forms for Muslim addicts who fast in the month of Ramadan. He aimed to formulate them for these people so that they could keep fasting by using the slow release drugs. In these formulations, his innovation has important impacts in the history of both addiction and pharmaceutical sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytotherapy is a source of finding new remedies for migraine. Traditional chamomile oil (chamomile extraction in sesame oil) is a formulation in Persian medicine (PM) for pain relief in migraine. An oleogel preparation of reformulated traditional chamomile oil was prepared and then standardized based on chamazulene (as a marker in essential oil) and apigenin via gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, respectively. A crossover double-blind clinical trial was performed with 100 patients. Each patient took two tubes of drug and two tubes of placebo during the study. Visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires were filled in by the patients and scores were given, ranging from 0 to 10 (based on the severity of pain) during 24 h. Other complications like nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia were also monitored. There was 4.48 ± 0.01 μl/ml of chamazulene and 0.233 mg/g of apigenin in the preparation (by correcting the amount with extraction ratio). Thirty-eight patients in the drug-placebo and 34 patients in the placebo-drug groups (a total number of 72 patients as per protocol) completed the process in the randomized controlled trial (RCT). Adapted results from the questionnaires showed that pain, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia significantly (p < 0.001) decreased by using chamomile oleogel on the patients after 30 min. Results supported the efficacy of chamomile oleogel as a pain relief in migraine without aura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corneal edema is an ophthalmic disorder which has two causes; one of them is increasing intraocular pressure that is the result of glaucoma and another reason is decompensation of endothelium that includes inflammatory and non-inflammatory types. Although, it is believed that this disorder is a new concept in medicine, reviewing the Avicenna’ Canon of Medicine (written in 1025AD) show that Avicenna described this disorder under the title of Saratan-e Cheshm. He has defined it and also described its sign and symptoms like exquisite pain, elongation of eye vessels, needle irritation, and redness of the eye, headache, anorexia, and hurt from looking at the things have humility. It can be considered as the first complete describing of corneal edema as a sole ocular disorder in the history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the most common diseases affecting the quality of life of patients. Patients suffer from high costs in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Frequent recurrence and failure of therapeutic protocols are among the most important issues in the management of this disease. In view of this, the use of traditional and complementary therapies to promote the treatment of this disease has been increasingly taken into account. Objective: Comparison of the effectiveness of the Persian Medicine Protocol with the conventional therapy in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran from July 2016 to March 2017. For patients with chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms, endoscopy of the sinuses was performed by an ENT specialist and in the case of negative endoscopy, paranasal sinus CT scan was requested. A total of 42 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (classical) received systemic and intranasal cortisone, and the second group (traditional) received a therapeutic Persian medicine protocol including intranasal lavender oil, and Liquorice Marjoram Tea (L. M. tea) for six weeks. The symptoms of the patients were evaluated using the SNOT-22 questionnaire at the beginning of the study and at the sixth week. If no improvement occurs, treatment continued for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using ANOVA, independent-samples and paired-samples t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and simple linear regression. Results: In 20 patients in the traditional group, the decrease in SNOT score was observed as 56% after 6 weeks treatment (p=0.001), which is similar to the effect of the first group (classical). Although there was no statically significant difference between the two groups, in clinical terms, the difference in mean systemic symptoms such as confusion with 1.05 (p=0.5) and fatigue with 1.63 (p=0.01) had more improvement in the traditional group, and the difference in mean local symptoms such as nasal congestion with 2.37 (p=0.78) and runny nose with 1.95 (p=0.14) had a more decrease in the classical group. Conclusion: The results of this trial indicate the effectiveness of the Persian Medicine Protocol (including Lavender oil and L.M tea) in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, especially on improving systemic symptoms. Nevertheless more clinical studies are necessary to support the acquired results. Trial registration: This trial was registered at the Iranian Center for Clinical Trials (ID: IRCT2015112425217N1). Funding: This research is part of a PhD thesis and is funded by the Vice-Chancellor for Research at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Grant No. 931673. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastroparesis is a recognized problem of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus that is defined by delayed gastric emptying. Due to insufficient satisfaction of current treatments, the use of complementary and alternative medicine in this field seems essential. According to Persian medicine, Pistacia atlantica gum has proper effect on gastrointestinal disorder specially stomach diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Pistacia atlantica gum on diabetic gastroparesis symptoms. Methods: A triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial on subjects with diabetic gastroparesis was conducted at the clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad city in Iran, from November 2016 to May 2017. Fifty-four patients (16.7% males and 83.3% females) enrolled in the 8-week study and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention Pistacia atlantica and placebo groups. Both of the groups had received current dietary advice. Severity of gastroparesis symptoms was assessed with a Gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) questionnaire. SPSS software version 16 was used to analyze the data and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model, Independent-samples t-test, Paired-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to assess variables. Results: All gastroparesis symptoms of patients (14.6% diabetes type 1 and 85.4% diabetes type 2) including nausea /vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety, and bloating were significantly declined in each group during study (p<0.0001). Pistacia atlantica gum significantly reduced severity of gastroparesis symptoms including Postprandial fullness/early satiety (p=0.04), Bloating (p<0.0001), and GCSI scores (p=0.001) versus placebo. Systolic blood pressure (p=0.006), BMI (p=0.018), and HbA1c (p=0.038) significantly decreased in the Pistacia atlantica group after the intervention. Conclusion: This study showed that daily consumption of Pistacia atlantica gum for one month improves diabetic gastroparesis symptoms. Trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) with the code of IRCT2016110630739N1. Funding: This study was supported by funding (grant no.: 950153) from the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Research Council, Mashhad, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases. In Persian Medicine, much emphasis has been put on the balanced weight that maintains health. Therefore, the treatment of obesity is a top priority for health care in Persian and Classical Medicine. Objective: To compare the efficacy of therapeutic packages in Persian Medicine with Classical Medicine in overweight treatment. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, from August 22, 2016 to December 20, 2016. Sixty-nine overweight women with body mass index (BMI) of 27-29.9 and waist circumference more than 88 cm based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included in the study. To control bias in sampling, with considering that the age variable is an interventional factor in the process of effective treatment, in addition to using the random allocation method, the population were studied in three groups of 18- 30 years old, 31-50 years old and >50 years old, who were classified by blocking method, and three types of treatment interventions were performed in each age group: Group A (Classical diet and orlistat), Group B (Persian diet and MDB) and Group C (classical diet and MDB). Calorie consumption was equivalent in the three groups. Blinding was done only for patients. The treatment period was three months in all three groups. Subsequently, we analyzed the effectiveness of the therapeutic packages on anthropometric index, body composition and laboratory parameters in the three groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. We used descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, paired-samples t-test, non-parametric Wilcoxon test and regression methods for the analyses of primary and secondary outcomes. Results: Although anthropometric index and fat mass decreased highly significantly in all three intervention groups (p<0.001), the B group led to a further decrease in BMI (Mean ± SD: 1.61±1.03), weight (Mean ± SD: 4.79±2.26), waist circumference (Mean ± SD: 4.25±0.59) and Fat mass (Mean ± SD: 3.24±2.70), compared with the other two groups. Lipid profile and FBS in groups B and C had significant decrease before and after the intervention, but Group A had no significant effect before or after the intervention. Other laboratory parameters did not change significantly before or after the treatment in the three groups. Conclusion: In this study, Classical Medicine and Persian Medicine had the same levels of effectiveness but Persian Medicine brought a greater reduction in body weight, fat mass%, lipid profile and fasting blood glucose than Classical Medicine during the study period. So Persian Medicine can be effective in weight loss as an alternative therapy, but more studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are studies that show that the concepts of epilepsy have been rooted in Persian medicine; Avicenna "Ibn-e-Sina"-one of the great Persian physicians in the Islamic golden age (9th-12th century AD)-has considered some types of epilepsy with the association of the stomach, the spleen, the "Maraqq," and the whole body which has not been reviewed properly. These organs influence on the brain and can cause epilepsy. This article presents concept of Maraqq-related epilepsy; according to Avicenna's view, "Maraqq" is a membranous structure which is located in the abdomen (equivalent of parietal peritoneum in current nomenclature). We discuss his viewpoint about the diagnosis and treatment of Maraqq-related epilepsy with focus on herbal remedies. The concept of a relationship between the "Maraqq" and the brain is well discussed in the old Persian medicine texts; however, it seems that further studies in this area are required to clarify Avicenna's view about the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]