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Background: Umbilical displacement is a known disorder in folk medicine of different cultures. The various causes, clinical signs and symptoms are attributed to this disorder and different diagnostic and therapeutic methods are mentioned. Methods: To follow the aim of the study, Persian medicine literature, Google Scholar, Google, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched with no limit of the publication date and the article type (original papers and literature reviews). The searched terms were Navel, Umbilicus and other synonyms in Persian, Turkish, Russian, German, Chinese and Indian language, Dislocation, Sliding, Displacement, Deviation, Falling, Ptosis, Folk medicine and combination of these words. We also corresponded with several experts in traditional medicine via LinkedIn. All available descriptive evidence related to umbilical displacement was retrieved, and the contents were presented as categories including the disorder name, attributed signs and symptoms, and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Results: This disorder is called "Taharok-e-Sorre" in Persian medicine, "Nawikkatin" in Erbil (Iraq), "Dharan or Nabhi Sarakna" in Hindi, "Göbek düşmesi" in Turkish, Bēn tún in Chinese and "Cirro" in the people of Mayan community and Spanish, and "смещен пупок" in the folk medicine of the Kurgan Bashqir. Hard work, pregnancy, childbirth, fear, lifting heavy objects, rapid and sudden movements, trauma or fall and slipping of the foot are said to be causes of umbilical displacement. Umbilical displacement is associated with several symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, anorexia, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: In this mini-review, umbilical displacement was expressed from the viewpoint of different cultures. New cases of umbilical displacement has been reported in new articles, and the pathology of umbilical displacement has been explained from the perspective of Persian medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maolasal is a honey-induced product which may lead to several beneficial effects from the Persian Medicine (PM) point of view. Heating process as a major step of Maolasal preparation may decrease the honey quality and deteriorate thermal treatment indicators of honey. Methods: This study was conducted on four honey samples (from different floral sources). Maolasal preparation process was done according to one of the most important PM references "Gharabadin Kabir". Thermal treatment indices, antibacterial and antioxidative activities of products were measured. Results: The 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentrations of PM-based Maolasal samples of polyfloral, monofloral, and sugar honey were higher than 40 mg/kg; while PMbased Maolasal sample of monofloral honey had acceptable HMF concentration (38.9 mg/kg). Proline content of all samples decreased thorough Maolasal preparation and simple heating processes in all samples and these reductions were greater in monofloral honey and sugar honey Maolasal samples. Maolasal preparation processes decreased diastase activity of all samples. Although Maolasal preparation process led to sucrose content reduction in the three Maolasal samples, sucrose content of Maolasal sample of monofloral honey was higher than its raw sample. Maolasal preparation process increased total phenolic content of all samples. Finally, Maolasal preparation process led to an increase in antibacterial and antioxidant activities of all the samples. Conclusion: Maolasal samples reduced diastasis activity and proline content and increased HMF concentration. Maolasal preparation process may lead to an increase in antibacterial and antioxidative activities of honey which may be helpful for special preventive/therapeutic medicinal objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hot flashes are unpleasant long-term complications of breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a traditional Persian medicine containing extracts of Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) and Fumaria parviflora L. (Fumitory) extract syrup (CFS) compared with placebo when used as intended. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting/Location: The Oncology Ward of Shahid Modarres Hospital (Tehran, Iran). Subjects: Breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone deprivation therapy. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to receive 5 mL CFS or placebo syrup three times a day, for 4 weeks. Outcome measures: The co-primary outcomes were self-reported daily hot flashes frequency and severity scores assessed using self-reported daily dairies, including 1 week of baseline data. Results: Of the 148 patients screened, 137 were eligible, and 96 were randomly allocated to receive either CFS (n = 48) or placebo (n = 48). All participants who returned their dairies were compliant and analyzed as randomized in the a priori per-protocol analysis. After 4 weeks of treatment, both the mean daily hot flashes frequency and severity score had reduced by 57% in the CFS group and 10% in the placebo group. The overall weekly mean daily hot flashes frequency (effect size ηp2 0.221, p < 0.001, n = 66) and severity scores (effect size ηp2 0.160, p = 0.001, n = 66) were significantly lower in the CFS group compared with the placebo group (one-within one-between repeated-measures analysis of variance adjusted for baseline). CFS was well tolerated, with similar proportions of serious and nonserious adverse events occurring in both groups. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the effects of chicory or fumitory for the treatment of hot flashes. The findings provide preliminary evidence that CFS can improve hot flashes in breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone deprivation therapy. More research is warranted to confirm its effectiveness, safety, and mechanisms of action. Clinical Trial Registration: IRCT20210226050506N1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The semiology of liver dystemperament can help in predicting susceptibility to some diseases and improving the treatment process of the liver or general disease such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to explain the wet liver dystemperament concept in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) based on a hybrid concept analysis. Materials and Methods: The literature review of this qualitative study focused on evaluating 11 major academic textbooks from the 3rd to 19th century and some databases. In-depth, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 ITM experts with a minimum of five years of clinical experience and maximum variations in terms of gender, age, and clinical experiences for empirical data gathering. Data were analyzed with MAXQAD10 and conventional content analysis. Results: In this study, wet liver dystemperament was classified into three main themes of systemic, local, and Para-clinical symptoms and 10 categories. Conclusions: This manuscript explains wet liver dystemperament as a disorder in general temperament and determines more important diagnostic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: According to Persian medicine (PM), the uterus is an important organ in women, responsible for purifying the blood and nourishing the fetus. Each organ has a specific temperament distinct from the whole-body temperament based on PM. Dystemperament occurs when body or organ Mizaj (Persian word for temperament) deviates from what is considered normal, resulting in malfunction. Many gynecological disorders described in PM and conventional medicine, including infertility, recurrent miscarriage, oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea, hypermenorrhea, vaginitis, cervicitis, urinary incontinence, and pelvic pain, are considered to be associated with uterine dystemperaments. Hence, proper management of such disorders requires precise diagnosis and treatment of uterine dystemperaments. Accordingly, this review study aimed to collect and categorize these symptoms from PM texts and other relevant articles. Methods: In this study, we reviewed 10 well-known PM references, including Canon in Medicine (Al-Qanun Fi al-Teb), the Great Panacea (Exir-e A'zam), the Treasure of Kharazmshah (Zakhireh Kharazmshahi), the Perfect Book of the Art of Medicine (Kamel al-Sana'a al-Tebbiya), Akbari's Medicine (Tebb-E-Akbari), Gharshi's Commentary on Canon of Medicine (Sharh-e Qarshi bar Qanun), Commentary on Hippocrates' Aphorisms (Sharh-e Fosul-e Boqraat), Summary of Experiences (Kholasa-tut Tajarob), Description of Signs and Symptoms (Sharh-e Asbab va Alamat), and Aghili's Treatments (Mo'alejat-e Aghili). Moreover, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, SienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were queried with the keywords 'mizaj', 'temperament', 'uterus', 'uterine', 'cold/hot or warm', and 'dry/wet', while Persian databases of Magiran, Iran Medex, and SID were searched using keywords 'mizaj', 'rahem', 'garm', 'sard', 'tar', and 'khoshk' to extract signs and symptoms associated with uterine temperament and dystemperament. Results: Five indicators were specified in the articles and PM sources for determining the temperament and dystemperament of the uterus as follows: 1) Menstrual blood characteristics (including amount, temperature, color, odor, flow rate, and consistency); 2) Uterine discharge characteristics (including amount, consistency, color, odor, and accompanied symptoms, especially burning and itching); 3) Fertility and pregnancy status (including infertility, abortion, etc.); 4. Other characteristics of the female reproductive system (including pubic hair, menarche age, sexual desire and quality of intercourse, and vaginal and cervical condition on vaginal examination); and 5) General symptoms (including the ten PM indicators of whole-body Mizaj). Conclusions: PM sources have described the characteristics of uterine temperament and dystemperament in detail. These indices can be used for more effective diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of gynecological diseases, as well as designing and validation of standard tools for determining uterine temperament and dystemperament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Increment in cancer prevalence and subsequent need for chemotherapy leads to distinct kidney-related diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Cisplatin is a common chemotherapeutic agent that has been used in many cancers; however, it can damage renal cells. Capparis spinosa is an important therapeutic plant in Persian medicine that encompasses high amounts of bioactive antioxidant components. The current study aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of Capparis spinosa seed hydroalcoholic extract (CSSE) against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in vivo through histopathological evaluation. Materials & Methods: Forty Sprague Dawley rats weighing within the range of 230±20 gr were randomly divided into eight groups including sham, a single-dose cisplatin intraperitoneally (IP) injected group (7 mg/kg), toxic dose CSSE (200 mg/kg) group, and groups with cisplatin 7mg/kg IP and different doses of CSSE. Histopathological changes in the kidney tissues were quantified by the image-J program and analyzed by statistical methods. Results: Cisplatin-induced glomerular and tubular injuries in the kidney tissue. A single-dose cisplatin decreased the glomerular area and Bowman's capsule area, increased Bowman's space, and induced tubular loss of brush borders, tubular dilatation, tubular cast formation and tubular necrosis. All of the changes were reversed by CSSE significantly. Conclusion: Post-CSSE (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment could protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. More clinical studies are needed to confirm its protective effects on the prevention of kidney injury in chemotherapy receiving patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To improve the capabilities of general practitioners (GPs), who constitute an essential segment of the healthcare system in Iran, it is necessary to identify their information needs about Persian medicine. This survey-based study aimed primarily to determine the information needs of GPs in Isfahan city about Persian medicine, and secondarily to evaluate the assocaition between their workshop attendance and information needs. Methods: This applied study employed a descriptive survey research method. The research population consisted of all GPs in Isfahan city, out of which a sample of 204 participants was selected using stratified random sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, containing seven different domains related to Persian medicine. The questionnaire was distributed among the participants after its validity, content, and reliability were confirmed. All descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 177 GPs completed the questionnaire. The mean information need score was found to be highest for the domain of nutritional substances (72.2) and lowest for the domain of treatment measures (61.7). There was no significant relationship between the participants’ information needs and their age, work experience, gender, and employment status. However, variables such as previous participation in Persian medicine workshops and the desire to participate in future workshops exhibited a significant relationship with information needs. Conclusion: Responsible officials at the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (such as the deputies for public health and curative affairs) and traditional medicine specialized groups should periodically hold training workshops to meet GPs’ information needs. It is also necessary to repeat retraining courses for GPs at regular intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a common surgical procedure in patients with heart disease associated with pain and problems with great saphenous veins (GSVs) wound healing. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of aloe vera gel on pain intensity, and GSVs wound healing in non-diabetic patients undergoing CABG. Methods: In this clinical trial, 35 CABG candidate patients fulfilling admission criteria were selected by convenience sampling, and their lower limbs were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The wound care for both groups was the same except for using aloe vera gel for the intervention group from the first to the fourth days after surgery. Pain intensity and GSVs wound healing data were collected by Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires on the first, fourth, seventh, and fourteenth days and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: On the seventh day, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group was significantly lower (P = 0.01). The mean scores of wound healing in the intervention limb decreased faster; however, the wound healing score was not significantly different between the two groups at any time (P > 0.05). Using aloe vera gel reduced ecchymosis on the seventh and fourteenth days and reduced pain on the seventh day compared to the control limb (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Aloe vera gel can effectively reduce GSVs' pain intensity and ecchymosis from the seventh day. The topical application of this herb can have various degrees of effectiveness in decreasing pain and speeding up the healing of surgical wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Studies have indicated a link between stress during pregnancy and stress reactivity in offspring. In this study, we investigated the effect of Cuscuta epithymum (CE) extract on seizure and body weight in offspring born to stressed parents (pre-pregnancy)., Methods: Male and female rats were randomly separated into four groups. Then, the animals were subjected to restraint stress once a day for 50 (male) and 15 (female) continuous days. At the same time, rats in the control and stress groups received normal saline while the other two groups received the CE extract. After the stress induction, the control and experimental rats were mated to create eight types of coupling combinations as follows: McFc, McFs, MsFc, MsFs, McFc + EX, McFs + EX, MsFc + EX and MsFs + EX (M, male; F, female; C, control; S, stress; EX, extract). Then, the pups were weighed on postnatal days (PND) 1, 15 and 25. They were also evaluated for pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure on PND 25., Results: The results showed that prolonged parental exposure to stress led to a significant increase in the duration and number of tonic-clonic (TC) seizures, duration of standing on two legs, firmly clinging to the ground, number of head nodding, total score of seizure behaviours and duration of tail rigidity in offspring. Moreover, the onset of the first convulsive behaviour was accelerated. Furthermore, a significantly lower body weight was observed in pre-conceptionally stressed offspring. However, the CE extract significantly improved these symptoms., Conclusion: It can be concluded that CE administration possibly improves the consequences of pre-pregnancy stress, as well as seizure behaviours and weight loss in pups., (© 2024 International Society for Developmental Neuroscience.)

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and biomedical big data, network pharmacology represents a breakthrough in traditional medicine (TM) research. The emergence of interdisciplinary frontiers, such as bioinformatics and systems medicine, has led to a new pharmaceutical research generation that emphasize networks and systems (1) (2). In recent years, TM researchers have shown great interest in exploring AI technologies as an emerging discipline (3). The network pharmacology field has proven to be an effective means of elucidating the mechanisms of traditional herbal medicine and traditional pharmacy (4). The primary focus is to modernize TM by incorporating cutting-edge techniques in genomics, metabolomics, and systems biology. This will enable a fresh look at the knowledge and insights offered by TM (5). Systems biology, which takes a holistic approach, is a crucial research methodology for understanding the TM pharmacology. To successfully integrate systems biology into TM, it is necessary to combine computational technologies with holistic insights (6). By constructing a network of interrelated "herb-compound-target-pathway" relationships, this technique provides a holistic understanding of the mechanisms underlying traditional medicine. The integration of computational techniques into the network pharmacology has led to a significant improvement in the accuracy and efficiency of active constituent screening and target identification, surpassing previous levels of performance (4). On the other hand, there has been a gradual increase in the global studies of traditional medicinal plants due to their natural sources and wide variety. These plants are capable of complementing modern pharmacological approaches (7-10).

Objectives: Some dermatological diseases can be life-threatening. Urticaria and angioedema are common reasons for patients to seek treatment at an emergency department. Severe, generalized urticaria and angioedema can endanger patients’ lives by involving the airways and causing anaphylactic shock. The humor-based Persian Medicine (PM) concepts of Shara andMaShara, referring to two kinds of skin lesions, have similarities to urticaria and angioedema, respectively. This article aims to provide scientific evidence regarding the application of PM as an early intervention strategy in the emergency management of urticaria and angioedema. Methods: This was a narrative review of PM studies identified by searching medical databases using search terms related to these diseases, as well as risk-associated keywords such as “fatal”, “death”, “life-threatening”, “emergency”, “cupping”, and “bloodletting”. Data were then compared, interpreted, and analyzed. Results: PM scholars consider the human body as a unified whole and believe in an inner power (Nature) which stems from the body. When the presence of excessive hot substances cause an imbalance of bodily humors, Nature directs their heated vapors sharply toward the skin, thus causing Shara andMaShara. If there is a high risk of inflammation spreading to vital organs under severe conditions, urgent manual interventions are crucial. Conclusion: In serious conditions of urticaria and angioedema, Fasd or bloodletting and Hijama can be effective in speeding up the control of lesions and reducing morbidity and mortality. Consequently, the development of integrated Persian and conventional medicines may provide new therapeutic pathways for skin emergencies.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has no definitive cure. In this review study, the main sources of Persian Medicine (PM) such as the Canon of Medicine (by Avicenna) and Al-Havi (by Rhazes) were assessed to identify non-pharmacological treatments for psoriasis. Several treatments that are recommended for this disease include nutritional advice, lifestyle modifications, and manipulation therapy such as wet cupping (Hijamah), leech therapy, and phlebotomy (Fasd). These recommendations may help to prevent recurrence and be useful in improving psoriasis. The efficacy of PM recommendations to improve psoriasis should be evaluated in future studies.

Background and Objective: The nature of Narrative version of Islamic medicine (NIM) is based on Quran and hadith, exclusive attention to Islamic narrative references and rejection of the strategies of other medical schools. This study was conducted to criticize NIM. Methods: In this qualitative study of content analysis, after collecting the opinions of 6 prominent scholars of NIM, the criticisms of these opinions were presented and categorized by three doctors specialized in Persian medicine, a cleric in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and a methodologist by holding expert panel meetings. Findings: Criticisms were raised based on three points of view. The intra-religious area including the routine of Ahl al-Bayt (The holy family of the Prophet Muhammad) in illness and the role of physicians, the place of reason and experience in Islamic sciences, differences in geographical areas, not mentioning the full history of patients and newly occurring diseases was brought up. From a medical point of view, the important points include lack of a research method to check the effectiveness of a medical narrative, lack of diagnostic aspects and an approach to screening. From the viewpoint of religious and social consequences, religious trauma resulting from lack of response to treatment attributed to Ahl al-Bayt, approach to other manifestations of Western civilization, ethical issue of producing, prescribing and selling drugs by a group and loss of life and money due to waste of time in cases with definitive or relative treatment was raised in other medical schools. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, the introduction of this theory to society without sufficient investigations in the seminaries and universities of medical sciences may cause physical, mental and religious trauma at the individual and social level.

Introduction: According to the Basic principles of Persian medicine, there are 4 digestions in the human body, which are gastric, liver, vascular and organ digestion, and each of these digestions plays an important role in the health of the body, soul and strength of the body. The importance of digestion in the body is that it makes the food eaten into a part of the body. Materials and Methods: This study is a library review that has been conducted using 40 authoritative scientific books and articles in the field of Persian Medicine as well as through search engines SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Keywords that were searched: Persian medicine, four digestions, gastric digestion, liver digestion, vascular digestion and organ digestion. In this research, taking notes was performed by studying the mentioned sources about four digestions (gastric, liver, vascular and organ digestions) from the perspective of Persian medicine, and the results are presented in this article after classifying and summarizing the contents. Results: According to the schools of Persian medicine, food is eaten until it becomes part of all organs of the body, has transformed (quantitative and qualitative changes) in four parts of the body, each of these four parts is called a type of digestion. These four parts are the gastric (Meadi), liver (Kabedi), vascular (Oroghi) and organs (Ozvi); respectively, and therefore they are called the first digestion (gastric), the second digestion (liver), the third digestion (vascular) and the fourth digestion (organ). In each digestion, a series of useful and waste (unuseful) materials are produced, which are separated from each other. The useful material is preserved in the body for nutrition, The waste material is excreted from the body.I through feces in first digestion, through urine in the second digestion and the third and fourth digestion, are through various methods including sweat, pus. Conclusion: Persian medicine is one of the holistic medical schools which have a special perspective on digestion. Since digestion plays a very important role in the health of the body, so Persian medicine’s scientists have fully addressed both the role of nutrition in health and the factors affecting digestion. Therefore, the health of the digestive faculty is one of the basic necessities and principles of the health of the whole body.

Complications of chemotherapy including liver injury have always been an issue in the management of cancerous patients. A 5-year-old girl, known case of acute lymphocytic leukemia, presented with rise of liver enzymes diagnosed as chemotherapy drug-induced liver injury grade 1. A juice from soaked fruits (consisted of tamarind, prune, manna of Hedysarum, and brown sugar) followed by chicory distilled water with oxymel was used concomitant with chemotherapy; it resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzymes. Such natural products recommended by Persian Medicine for the management of liver injury (liver dystemperament in this viewpoint) should be further evaluated in experimental studies.

Background: Historical evidence revealed that alcoholic beverages have been produced, used and abused thousands of years before the discovery of alcohol by Rhazes for medical purposes. Alcohol-induced liver disease (e.g., steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis) is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic liver disease all over the world. This study aims to find the early report of this complication in an ancient Persian historical text. Methods: In this study, the book of Minooye Kherad, a Zoroastrian manuscript on wisdom which was written in the late Sassanid Empire (224–637 CE) is reviewed. Results: However, the concept of alcohol hepatotoxicity as one of the most important complications of alcoholism is a new terminology, by researching historical documents it can be found that one of the oldest reports of benefits and disadvantages of drinking wine focusing on liver complications is mentioned in the book of Minooye. Conclusion: Description of the liver disease and damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption in this valuable book can be considered as the early report of hepatotoxicity of alcoholic beverages in the medical history.

Objective: The effect of lavender syrup on COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction (OD) has been assessed in this study.Materials and Methods: This pilot clinical trial was conducted in Gonbad-E-Kavoos (Golestan province, Iran). Twenty-three outpatients with COVID-19 and OD in lavender group took 9 ml of lavender syrup/bid for 3 weeks along with the standard COVID-19 treatments and 20 patients in control group took only standard COVID-19 treatments. The severity of OD was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Data analysis was performed by Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests using SPSS software.Results: The mean± standard deviation of age was 36.6±9.1, and 42.6±10.4 years (p=0.05), and the duration of symptoms was 7.4±3.5, and 7.5±3.4 days (p=0.98) in the lavender and control group, respectively. The VAS score for OD decreased from 6.8±3.04 to 0.26±0.86 in the lavender group and from 5.3±3.4 to 1±2.61 in the control group. Although, VAS for OD was significantly decreased in both groups (p

The Academy of Jundishapur was the world's first university established during the Sassanid Empire in old Persia. Some of the important features of this scientific center of the ancient world include a policy of tolerance, conducting annual international congresses, compiling the first comprehensive medical textbook, doing the hospital rounds, physician licensure exam, special attention to the ethics, and using an educational curriculum. Moreover, its unique style of education made Jundishapur a brilliant school in the history of science. This outstanding academy maintained its impact on the scientific movement of that era for four centuries. It finally declined after transmission to Baghdad medical school. In this study, we have discussed the features of the Jundishapur school which made it a successful model for medical education.

Background and objectives: Psoriasis is a prevalent, chronic, and inflammatory disorder with good response rates using novel treatment strategies. However, side effects are a limiting factor in long-time treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that many natural remedies have fewer side effects, and are thus safer options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel topical herbal preparation in patients with plaque psoriasis. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, vehicle-controlled, two-arm parallel trial was conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis (psoriasis area & severity index= PASI score< 12). We randomized 108 patients in 1:1 ratio to receive Boswellia-based cream (containing Boswellia spp. ethanolic extract, Boswellia spp. oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract, Cucurbita pepo pulp oil) or vehicle cream, both applied as a thin layer on skin lesions twice daily for four weeks. Results: Compared with vehicle, the Boswellia-based cream group showed greater reduction in mean PASI score from baseline to week two and from week two to week four (both p

Background and purpose: Urticaria is one of the most widespread skin inflammatory diseases that reduce the quality of life, especially in chronic cases. Considering the very close compatibility of urticaria and angioedema with Shara and Mashara in Persian Medicine, this paper aimed at comparing their signs, symptoms, and etiology and suggests a more comprehensive diagnostic perspective and paves the way for further researches. Materials and methods: This narrative review was conducted using the main manuscripts of Persian medicine and international medical databases using relevant keywords such as urticaria, angioedema, Shara, Mashara, etc. Data were then compared, interpreted, and analyzed. Results: The symptoms of urticaria and angioedema such as sudden nocturnal pruritus and the causes of increased heat in the body were found to be similar to those of Shara and Mashara. The cascade of inflammatory factors, dilation, and increased permeability of blood vessels can be comparable to sudden movement of the vapor of warm blood to narrowed pores of the skin. Conclusion: Persian and conventional medicine share similar perspectives on urticaria and angioedema. The food digestion process and function of the body's major organs in production of healthy blood are too important. Therefore, integrating Persian and conventional medicine could be effective in diagnosis and treatment of these inflammatory diseases.

This study aimed to assess the antinociceptive activity of extracts and fractions of Paeonia daurica subsp. macrophylla in BALB/c mice. Various doses of hydro-alcoholic extract (HE), hexane fraction (F-hexane), methanol (F-MeOH), and chloroform (F-CHCl3), as well as aqueous extracts (AE), were evaluated by a well-known model, a formalin-induced pain test in mice. All extracts, piroxicam 0.1 mg/kg, and negative control groups were administered 30 minutes before formalin injection. Flinching, licking, and biting reflexes were measured as painful factors compared with controls at intervals of 0 to 5 minutes, 0 to 15, and 0 to 60 minutes after formalin injection. The acute oral toxicity test of total ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed no signs of toxic effect up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg. In the formalin test at a time interval of 0 to 5 minutes, there was no significant difference between the results of the study groups. In the range of 0 to 15 minutes, the effect of AE (1 g/kg), HE (2, 3 g/kg), and F-hexane (1 g/kg) was significantly higher than the positive control group (p

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Persian Medicine-based dietary protocol (PM diet) in patients infected with COVID-19. A randomized clinical trial was performed from July 2020 to January 2021 in Tehran, Iran. Eighty patients admitted due to pulmonary dysfunction caused by COVID-19 were randomly allocated into two groups: the PM diet or the common hospital (CH) diet. Eight beds in 2 rooms were considered for each group. Patients were randomly hospitalized in these rooms and received these diets up to discharge or death. The details of the PM diet were published before (Hospital diet for COVID-19, an acute respiratory infectious disease: An evidence-based Protocol of a Clinical Trial). O2 saturation level and duration of hospitalization, the rate of mortality, duration of fever, and duration of cough were considered as the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. O2 Saturation and fever durationwere not different between groups (P-value= 0.08, 0.312, respectively). But the duration of hospitalization and the duration of cough in the PM diet group were significantly shorter than in the CH diet (P-value= 0.002, 0.009, and HR=2.02, 1.86 respectively). The mortality rate was significantly lower in the PM diet group than in the CH diet group (Odds ratio: 0.12, P-value=0.026). PM diet caused a lower mortality rate, shorter hospital stay, and better improvement in cough, but did not have a significant effect on O2 saturation and fever.

What is known and Objectives: Present study evaluated the safety profile and efficacy of G‐Rup® syrup (100 mg/ml ginger extract plus 150 mg/ml honey) in symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either of a 30 ml twice daily regimen of G‐Rup® syrup or placebo over a 12‐week period. Primary endpoints of the study comprised of an improvement in the joint's stiffness, physical functioning and pain score, assessed by WOMAC questionnaire and the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary objectives comprised of safety and tolerability of the syrup by patients. Results and discussion: The 30 ml twice‐daily regimen of G‐Rup® syrup was safe and well tolerated by patients. Moreover, in whole studied time points, treatment with G‐Rup® syrup could significantly Power the VAS score (p < 0.001) whereas improving WOMAC total score (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001), physical functioning (p < 0.001), and stiffness sub‐scores (p = 0.006) compared to the placebo receiving group. What is new and Conclusion: Based on obtained results, the G‐Rup® syrup, composed of a combination of honey and ginger, may be a proper supplementary choice, along with routine therapeutic regimens, for improvement of symptomatic treatment of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insomnia and sleep disorders are common and can be severe amongst patients with cancer, especially during chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lettuce seed syrup in breast cancer patients who suffer from insomnia or disordered sleep. This pilot study was a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Shoha-e-Tajrish Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from September 2018 to June 2019. 50 adult patients with breast cancer with insomnia or sleep disorders were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated to lettuce seed syrup (5 mL twice daily), or placebo syrup at the same dose for four weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality before and after the intervention. Compared to placebo, the mean of the total PSQI score decreased significantly in participants who received lettuce seed syrup (p=0.014). In addition, there were statistically significant reductions in the mean scores of subject quality sleep (p=0.002), sleep duration (p=0.038), habitual sleep efficacy (p=0.029) and sleep disturbance (p=0.032) in patients who received lettuce seed syrup. Lettuce seed syrup may improve self-reported sleep quality in participants with breast cancer. Larger trials are indicated in diverse samples of participants with caner to learn if these finds are generalizable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic pruritus is one of the most common conditions in dermatology and a common manifestation in many systemic diseases. Since the etiology of chronic pruritus remains somewhat unknown, hence, conventional medications may not always show a good therapeutic response. This finding has led both investigators and patients to use herbal and complementary remedies for its treatment. The aim of this study was to review clinical trials in which herbal and complementary medicine was used in the control and treatment of chronic pruritus. Materials and methods: In this study, we reviewed related articles in this domain, from 2000 to 2020. The search involved electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and SID databases using the keywords "pruritus," "itch," "herb," "complementary medicine," "traditional medicine," "integrative medicine," and their related MeSH terms. Finally, we extracted the pertinent information from these articles and summarized the results. Results: The findings of this study showed that 17 clinical trials have been conducted till date in order to evaluate the efficacy of herbal remedies and complementary medicines in the treatment of chronic pruritus. Herbal remedies including turmeric, Fumaria parviflora, Avena sativa, capsaicin, sweet almond oil, peppermint oil, violet oil, vinegar, as well as manual therapies including aromatherapy, auricular acupressure, and acupuncture, were significantly effective in the treatment of chronic pruritus. Conclusion: There are only a few studies published on the therapeutic efficacy of herbal remedies and complementary medicine in the treatment of chronic pruritus. Some have shown promising results. Therefore, more evidence‐based studies are needed in order to determine if herbal remedies and complementary medicine could be an effective alternative or adjuvant treatment modality in chronic pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ash-Kardeh is one of the few fermented foods without a dairy base in Iran, which is traditionally prepared from cereals and plants in the presence of microorganisms (mainly lactic acid bacteria). Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effects of Ash-Kardeh consumption on blood glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Forty-six patients with type 2 diabetes were studied in this randomized controlled clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 23) and control (n = 23) groups. Individuals of both groups received the usual treatment of diabetic patients, while those in the intervention group, in addition to the usual treatment, received 250 g of Ash-Kardeh daily for 6 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profiles were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to the control group, Ash-Kardeh consumption led to a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (P = 0.003), total cholesterol (P = 0.025), triglyceride (P = 0.003), systolic (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.014) in the intervention group. Also, a significant increase in the concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.048) was observed after Ash-Kardeh consumption. Conclusion: It seems that Ash-Kardeh consumption could improve high blood glucose, lipid profile, and hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients but does not affect low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. This study was registered on 2019-09-15 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) with the code number IRCT20170202032367N3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femur head due to the death of the osteocytes of the bone marrow occurs because the organ is not supplied with sufficient blood. The prevalence of the problem is 10%-50% in adults. The etiology of the disease includes various factors such as trauma, cigarette smoking, drinking spirits, taking corticosteroids, genetics, metabolic disorders, human immunodeficiency virus, pregnancy, and the like. The treatment of necrosis can be conducted regarding the degree of the problem. In the present paper, a case was reported whose femur head necrosis was treated by applying Iranian Medicine without using common drugs in modem Medicine. The patient was a 46-year-old man who had felt severe pain in his left hip since a month before referring. The pain had gradually increased and the AVN of the femur head was diagnosed after magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, the surgery and arthroplasty of the femur head were recommended in this regard. In general, surgery and arthroplasty were recommended regarding the hard medicinal and complicated treatment of the AVN of the femur head. However, it is noteworthy that applying Iranian medicine capacities is possible for curing the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Persian medicine (PM), measuring the wrist pulse is one of the main methods for determining a person's health status and temperament. One problem that can arise is the dependence of the diagnosis on the physician's interpretation of pulse wave features. Perhaps, this is one reason why this method has yet to be combined with modern medical methods. This paper addresses this concern and outlines a system for measuring pulse signals based on PM. Methods: A system that uses data from a customized device that logs the pulse wave on the wrist was designed and clinically implemented based on PM. Seven convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been used for classification. Results: The pulse wave features of 34 participants were assessed by a specialist based on PM principles. Pulse taking was done on the wrist in the supine position (named Malmas in PM) under the supervision of the physician. Seven CNNs were implemented for each participant's pulse characteristic (pace, rate, vessel elasticity, strength, width, length, and height) assessment, and then, each participant was classified into three classes. Conclusion: It appears that the design and construction of a customized device combined with the deep learning algorithm can measure the pulse wave features according to PM and it can increase the reliability and repeatability of the diagnostic results based on PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric disorders are one of the most common human ailments, which impose a huge economic burden on countries. In Persian Medicine (PM), it is possible to predict the susceptibility to gastric diseases with diagnosis of gastric Mizajes (temperaments) and dystemperaments. The semiology of gastric dystemperaments has been investigated in PM textbooks, although the value of each sign and symptom is not mentioned. Consequently, this research is designed to determine the major and minor criteria for classifying gastric dystemperaments on the basis of valid manuscripts and with the help of PM specialists in the present era. Methods: This was a consensus-based study consisting of four phases. In the first phase, reference PM textbooks were studied. Symptoms and signs of gastric dystemperaments were collected and listed in four groups. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with a sample of PM experts were carried out. Phase three included a focused group discussion with experts. Eventually, findings were integrated from the three study phases in a two-day meeting in Sari City. Results: Selected criteria included eight major and eight minor criteria for hot-cold dystemperament, as well as six major and eight minor criteria for wet-dry gastric dystemperament. Conclusion: Modern lifestyles and the interfering factors are responsible for some changes in diagnostic signs and symptoms according to PM. This was the first step to coordinate PM diagnostic criteria for gastric dystemperaments. Further studies are recommended to reach a unique protocol in the field of PM diagnostics. The next step includes design and validation of national diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The journal of research on history of medicine (RHM) starts to be published from Feb. 2012. It passed its first decade of life by publishing current issue. By analyzing these 10 volumes, it shows that there are 284 articles that are written by 342 authors from 18 countries. These authors are affiliated to 90 institutions, that Shiraz University of medical sciences has the most contribution among them. In addition, the share of Iranian authors is more than other countries significantly. The journal is indexed in 14 indexing and abstracting databases. It needs to set a program for improving the quality of international cooperation, indexing of the journal and published papers for next decade.

Introduction: Menstrual bleeding is a reflection of periodic secretion endometrial loss due to decreased estradiol and progesterone production. In traditional medicine, ginger is described as a menstrual blood enhancer. This study was performed with aim to compare the oral and topical effect of ginger on the rate of menstrual bleeding in girls with regular menstruation. Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 70 female students living in the dormitory of Shahid Beheshti University in 2016-2017. Subjects were divided into two groups: capsules and ginger oil (n=35 in each group). Both groups consumed the drug for three consecutive menstrual cycles from two days before menstruation until the first three days of menstruation. The Higham chart (PBAC) was used to determine the amount of menstrual bleeding. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 17) using Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The two groups were similar in terms of bleeding volume at the beginning of the study (P=0.38). The mean volume of bleeding in the first cycle in the ginger capsule group was 104.91 ± 64.01, and reached to 102.26 ± 57.2 in the fourth cycle of intervention, which was not significant (p= 0.8). In the ginger oil group, the mean volume of bleeding in the first cycle was 92.8 ± 46.44 and in the fourth cycle 101.88 ± 71.14, which was not significant (p= 0.4). Conclusion: Ginger oil was not different from ginger capsules in the amount of menstrual bleeding in girls with regular menstruation; ginger oil and ginger capsule alone did not affect menstrual bleeding.

Letter to the Editor

Background: Non-pharmacological strategies that have been proposed by complementary medical systems, can be effective in management of COVID-19. Methods: This study was designed as a three-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 139 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) acupuncture (ACUG), (2) cupping (CUPG), and (3) control (CTRG). All participants received conventional treatment. The primary study endpoint included changes in respiratory signs including oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR). The secondary endpoints were COVID-19-related hospitalization duration and serious adverse events such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation or death, all up to day 30. Also, improvements in cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, oxygen demand, anorexia, headache, weakness, sore throat, and myalgia were evaluated. Results: Forty-two patients in ACUG, 44 patients in CUPG, and 42 patients in CTRG completed the trial. After 3 days, SpO2 and RR improved significantly in CUPG and ACUG compared with CTRG (effect size: 8.49 (6.4 to 10.57) and 8.51 (6.67 to 10.34), respectively: p

Objective: In spite of the great advances in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI), it still remains as a global health problem. Phlebotomy has been mentioned as an effective treatment for TBI in Persian medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effect of saphenous vein phlebotomy (SVP) on the alleviation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress after TBI. Methods: Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three main groups: sham, TBI and TBI + SVP group. Animal model of TBI was made through a controlled cortical impactor (CCI) device and SVP treatment was applied 10 min after TBI. Then, neurological function, body temperature, cerebral edema, blood–brain barrier integrity, brain apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation were assessed. Results: Our results indicated that SVP was associated with improvement of neurological scores 24 h post-TBI. In addition, SVP application significantly alleviated proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 1β, IL-17, and TNF-α) and oxidative stress factors as shown by reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) with no significant effect on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nitric oxide (NO) in the brain 6 h after TBI. Besides, it reduced body temperature, attenuated severity of brain edema, and also reduced caspase-3 and number of apoptotic neurons. Conclusion: This study showed that SVP could ameliorate the severity of acute TBI, partly through alleviation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Further studies are necessary for more understanding the involved mechanism(s).

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has shown increasing acceptance, popularity, and use all around the world. The International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) was developed to be a standard research instrument for achieving more reliable data and enabling researchers for comparing multiple studies on CAM use. This study aimed to provide a Persian translation of I-CAM-Q that also was adapted according to Iranian culture. The I-CAM-Q was translated and back-translated to Persian by a team of 2 translators and 2 traditional Persian medicine specialists. Then an internet-based specialist survey and an experts’ panel using the DELPHI method were done to perform cross-cultural adaptation. The feasibility study of the Iranian version of I-CAM-Q (i.e., I-CAM-IR) was tested upon adult population, the final changes were done to I-CAM-IR and data were gathered from 301 hypertensive patients. The related specific words such as traditional Persian medicine and “Attar” (herbalist) were added to the questionnaire for a more precise local adaptation. Meanwhile, some structural changes were made in the first two pages of the original I-CAM-Q and the questions about disclosure were added to it. This questionnaire was easily accepted by most patients during the interview. Generally, 72.4% of our hypertensive participants used CAM but only 41.8% of them disclosed this to their physicians. I-CAM-Q is a standard questionnaire that needs to be adapted to non-English speaking countries. Generally, in this study the useage of CAM among people with hypertention was high. Therefore, it is emphesised that physisians should have adequate knowledge about it. Meanwhile, conducting multicentral researches in this field will provide the basis for accumulative data about CAM use in Iran.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasing throughout the world. Traditional Persian medicine, with a long history, is well known as a branch of complementary and alternative medicine and has a role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward Persian medicine among Medical School staff were assessed in this study because of the importance of education in this field. This cross-sectional study was performed in 2020. As there was no specific questionnaire for assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward Persian medicine, data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire that was found to be both valid and reliable; the data were then analyzed statistically using SPSS software version 25. One hundred and fifty-three staff members were included in this study. The average score of performance in using treatment modalities in traditional Persian medicine was moderate, but the average score of knowledge about Persian medicine treatment modalities was low. The average score of attitude was positive, and 66.6% of people agreed with participating in the short-term course of traditional Persian medicine. The participants in this study showed moderate performance and a positive attitude towards traditional Persian medicine despite little knowledge of different Persian medicine treatment modalities. Most people expressed a desire to get acquainted with it. Therefore, it is suggested that courses be held to inform the staff about traditional Persian medicine.

The quality of sleep changes with age and a reduction in sleep duration is observed in the elderly. Mizaj (temperament) is a fundamental theory in traditional Persian medicine. It is defined as all sides of personality describing a person’s morphological, psychological, and physiological situations. Although the evidence showed that temperament and sleep quality are related, no research has evaluated this issue statistically so far. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between sleep quality and temperament. This cross-sectional study included 1,359 elderly people (aged 60) in Tabriz, Iran in 2019. An interviewer accomplished the Tabriz Older People Survey (TOPS), Temperament and Sleep Quality Test, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Our findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between global PSQI and wet temperament (p value = 0.036). In addition, hot-cold temperament was statistically related to demographical items like gender, marital status, and occupational status (p value ≤ 0.05). A similar statistically significant relationship was also seen for wet-dry temperament (p value ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the global PSQI score in female and illiterates subjects and those who lived in detached houses was high, meaning that the sleep quality was poor in these groups. According to our findings, Mizaj affects the quality of sleep in older adults. Also, living conditions of the elderly, such as gender, type of residence, level of education, and job, affect the Mizaj of the elderly people.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common causes of disability in diabetic patients. Applying a method to achieve the highest therapeutic effect in patients is desirable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of leech therapy on diabetic neuropathy of lower limbs in comparison to gabapentin as a standard method. This randomized controlled parallel-group clinical trial was conducted among 40 patients with type II diabetes who were diagnosed with lower limb diabetic neuropathy and referred to specialized outpatient clinics in Babol, Mazandaran province, Iran from 23 September 2020 to 17 March 2021. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was treated with leech therapy and the other group was treated with gabapentin as the standard method. The severity of neuropathy was assessed every 15 days until the 45th day. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS), Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), and Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), and Electromyography (EMG) were used for assessing the study outcomes. The repeated measure and Friedman tests were used by SPSS.V.23. The results of our study indicated that pain (P value:0.03), numbness (P value˂0.0001), and paranesthesia (P value:0.01) significantly reduced in patients undergoing leech therapy versus patients taking gabapentin on the 45th day. The total NSS (P value˂0.0001) and total NDS (P value˂0.0001) improved significantly for patients with leech therapy over 45 days compared to the patients with gabapentin. The results of our study showed that using leech therapy for patients with diabetic neuropathy was more effective in improving clinical symptoms and the functions of lower limb muscles and nerves in comparison to gabapentin. The severity and symptoms of neuropathy greatly improved for the patients treated with leech therapy versus patients taking gabapentin.

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is a significant reason for the decline in women's quality of life. The unexpected occurrence of UI and its high costs around the world are evident. Numerous methods are used for the management of UI; however, there is no worldwide agreement on any of these methods. Traditional medicines are a source of human medical experiences and this study is a review on the books of the most famous Persian medicine (PM) physician, Avicenna, to find about his approach to UI. Keywords such as: "female urinary incontinence", "lifestyle", and “nutrition” were selected. As a library research, Avicenna’s (980- 1037 AD) "the Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun Fi al-Tibb), was reviewed and coded. Some other PM famous books like "the Great Continens" (Al-Hawi fi Al-Tibb) of Rhazes (865- 925 AD) and "The Comprehensive Book on Medicine" (Al-Shamil fi Al-Sana'a Al-Tibbiya) of Ibn al-Nafis al-Qarshi (1213- 1288 AD) were used as a help to interpret the codes just in case it was required. Modern literature was searched with the same keywords at electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Magiran. Finally, the results were compared. Recent studies care on conservative and lifestyle management in the treatment of UI. In PM, principles of lifestyle management (Setteh-e-zarurieh) is one of the main characteristics of prevention and treatment with six essential principles including weather, eating and drinking, sleep and wakefulness, movement and rest, evacuation and retention, and psychological and mental reactions. In healthy people, these six axes are designed by temperament and personal characteristics. In this manuscript, we discussed five mentioned subtypes. These managements are appropriate for designing various pieces of clinical trials to survey their effects on female UI.

Traditional medicine is a comprehensive term for ancient, culture-bound health care practices that existed before the use of science in health matters and has been used for centuries. Medicinal plants are used to treat patients with cardiovascular diseases, which may occur due to ailments of the heart and blood vessels and comprise heart attacks, cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, and heart failure. Hypertension causes difficulty in the functioning of the heart and is involved in atherosclerosis, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke. Many drugs are available for managing these diseases, though common antihypertensive drugs are generally accompanied by many side effects. Medicinal herbs have several active substances with pharmacological and prophylactic properties that can be used in the treatment of hypertension. This review presents an overview of some medicinal plants that have been shown to have hypotensive or antihypertensive properties.

A 19-year-old girl with documented nickel-induced allergic contact dermatitis was referred to the department of traditional Persian medicine five weeks after the sudden onset of bolus and erythematous skin rash to receive treatment based on complementary and alternative medicine. A detailed history of jewelry exposures, lifestyle, food intake, and dietary habits was obtained, as well as the history of other physicians’ visits and administered treatments within the past eight weeks. Despite receiving treatment with corticosteroids, anti-histamines, and antibiotics, no satisfactory remission was achieved, and the patient discontinued the treatments. As the alternative medicine approach, treatment was started based on avoiding contact with nickel, administration of Manna of Alhagi persarum and Portulaca oleracea seeds, and avoidance of consuming tomato sauce, cocoa, coffee, and bitter chocolate. Within six weeks, a complete remission of the skin lesions and symptoms occurred. Moreover, normal clinical follow-up was observed after 12 months. Notably, the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines were used in the preparation of this case report.

Background: Burn wound is one of the most common injuries worldwide. However, its management still remains a health concern and research is ongoing for more efficient therapies. Persian medicine has described different methods in this regard. Previous reviews have mostly focused on the herbal-based therapies for burn management. Hence, the current study aimed to review both non-herbal and herbal-based therapies used in Persian medicine for their burn healing properties, and to compare them with new evidence.Method: The most important texts of Persian medicine were reviewed for burn wound classification, managements and treatment approaches. Moreover, herbal, minerals, and animal-based products claimed to possess burn wound healing activity, were extracted. In the next step, digital databases were searched to find new supporting data for the extracted-traditional remedies and their healing mechanisms.Results: More than one hundred traditional medicinal herbs, minerals, and animal-based products have been recommended to treat burn wound in Persian medicine among them, the healing effect of thirty-five herbs and eight non-herbal treatments (mineral and animal-based compounds) were supported by new evidence. Otherwise, there was not new evidence reporting the healing effect of seventy-three herbs and sixteen non-herbal compounds extracted from Persian Medicine literature.Conclusion: Although some managements of burn wounds in Persian medicine have been confirmed by new evidence, the efficacy of a plenty of materials needs to be methodically evaluated. Hence, it could introduce new clues for future research.

Background: Shilajit has been widely used remedy for treating a numerous of illness such as bone defects in Iran traditional folk medicine since hundreds of years ago. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of Shilajit on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures. Materials and methods: ASCs were seeded in 3D 1% alginate (Alg) hydrogel with or without Shilajit (500 µg/mL) and compared with 2D cultures. Then, characterization was done using electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining and Raman confocal microscopy. Results: Adding Shilajit had no impact on the Alg scaffold degradability. In the 3D hydrogel and in the presence of osteogenic medium (OM), Shilajit acted as enhancer to increase ALP activity and also showed osteoinductive property in the absence of OM compared to the 2D matched groups at all time points (days 7 and 21 both P = 0.0006, for 14 days P = 0.0006 and P = 0.002, respectively). In addition, calcium deposition was significantly increased in the cultures exposed to Shilajit compared to 2D matched groups on days 14 (P < 0.0001) and 21 (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.003, respectively). In both 3D and 2D conditions, Shilajit induced osteogenic differentiation, but Shilajit/Alg combination starts osteogenic differentiation in a short period of time. Conclusion: As Shilajit accelerates the differentiation of ASCs into the osteoblasts, without changing the physical properties of the Alg hydrogel, this combination may pave the way for more promising remedies considering bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]