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Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a chronic disease in adults. The standard treatment in this type of hydrocephalus is shunting which is accompanied by some complications and there is also uncertainty about response to treatment. Therefore, surgery is performed in only 10-20% of the cases with iNPH. Currently, oral acetazolamide and repetitive lumbar puncture for drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid are recommended in many patients. In this case report, a 34-year-old female patient with iNPH is introduced who received acetazolamide for the past two years, and repetitive lumbar punctures. These treatments reduced her symptoms for a short time, but had never disappeared the symptoms and after a while they intensified again. The patient was treated by Persian medicine and nutrition modification was also done. Within one year, there was no recurrence of the disease and no need for lumbar puncture. This case report highlights the need for further research on Persian medicine in treatment of iNPH. It is believed that Persian medicine could be of great benefit along with current treatments of hydrocephalus.

Background and objectives: Depression is a common and costly public-health disease. It has been considered in Iranian traditional medicine and many herbal combinations have been used for healing depressive-like disorders. Traditional herbal medicines should be converted into common dosage forms for patient acceptance and easier usage. Methods: In the present research, a poly herbal syrup containing Echium amoenum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Cuscuta chinensis, Vitis sp., Prunus domestica and Alhagi camelorum was formulated and its physicochemical characteristics including physical appearance, pH, viscosity, density, dried residue, physical stability and microbiological levels were evaluated. Furthermore, the antidepressant activity was determined by tail suspension test (TST) and also the effect of the formulation on the serum levels of dopamine and adrenaline was assessed in mice. Results: The syrup showed to be stable regarding physical changes and microbiological quality control tests. It significantly reduced the time of immobility in TST (pConclusion: Regarding the modern evidences about the plants used in the poly herbal syrup and physiochemical stability and the considerable results of the in vivo experiments, it could be suggested as a suitable antidepressant agent.

High blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. With regard to the significant role of a healthy diet in the prevention and even treatment of diseases together with the high cost and side effects of drugs, finding foods effective in the treatment of metabolic disorders has been widely considered. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oxymel – an Iranian traditional syrup with vinegar base – on cardiovascular risk indicators in obese and overweight people. Candidates were selected based on a set of inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups of control and test. The control group received 250 cc of water, while the test group received 250 cc water containing 30 cc of the oxymel for 30 days. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The results showed that there were no significant changes in the body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose level. However, weight (P = 0.053) and cholesterol (P = 0.083) decreased relatively significantly in the test group compared to the control group. This study shows that consumption of oxymel has positive cardiovascular effects such as lowering the blood cholesterol level and can contribute to weight loss; however, studies with a larger sample size are recommended.

The COVID-19 disease started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread across the world, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. Due to the high prevalence of this disease, it resulted in worry in many people and has led to several unnecessary visits to medical centers which may have increased the risk of infection. Preventive measures are necessary to control outbreaks and decrease disease burdens. Telemedicine such as telephone consultation is an efficient and safe platform to control disease in times of infectious epidemics by reducing the communication between people and the presence of non-infected people in medical centers. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as integrated medicine, is a collection of scientific principles and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease. The Nobaan’s telephone consultation system was set up by ITM specialists to provide consultations for COVID-19. A total of 43 ITM physicians have been consulting health seekers every day from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. based on national guidelines for COVID-19 and a specialized guide from academic resources of ITM. From 18 March to 17 April 2020, the doctors received a total of 2778 calls and provided a total of 11221 minutes of consultation. In total, 50% of physicians answered more than 90% of the calls and the average length of each call was 4.5 minutes. Finally, it seems except few limitations compared with face to face patient visit, this newly consultation by ITM specialist may provide considerable help to prevent and manage COVID-19 outbreak in Iran.

Indo-Iranian medicine dates back to a couple of centuries ago. The Gurkanies’ movement from Iran and Transoxiana to India introduced the Persian language to India, and the scientific language changed from Arabic and Sanskrit to this language. Iranian medicine has had a remarkable influence on the Indian Subcontinent, a sign of which is the elevated medical literature written in this language. Hakim Mohammad Azam Khan was born in 1813 AD. His ancestors were great sages of Khorasan (in north east of Iran) and then migrated to Afghanistan and India. Since he lived in the late 19th AD century, he had access to many Iranian traditional books. He provided rich sources of traditional medicine for the next generation by publishing traditional medicine books and traditional pharmacology. He wrote great books such as the Exir Azam (a comprehensive medical encyclopedia), Romouz Azam (a general book on medicine), Qarabadin Azam (Pharmacopeia). With his profound 19th century orientalist approach that emphasized safeguarding the Persian language, he created numerous works in the field of medicine, making him the most serious custodian of Indo-Iranian medicine in India. The present study reviews the scientific life of a contemporary famous author of Indo-Iranian medical literature written in Persian Language.

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders worldwide without a satisfying treatment. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a topical formulation of clove oil in premature ejaculation patients. Eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups to use either Syzygium aromaticum (SA) 1% gel or placebo gel 10 minutes before the intercourse for a period of 8 weeks. Outcome measurement were Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires in addition to Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (IELT). A total number of 22 (11 patients in each group) participants completed the study. At the end of the intervention, the IELT scores changed from 29.84 ± 18.59 to 97.09 ± 91.86 and 42.51 ± 13.98 to 52.45 ± 32.7 seconds in SA gel and placebo groups, respectively (p-value = 0.003). Also, the changes of PEDT scores in the SA gel group (from 14 ± 3.55 to 9.2 ± 4.56) comparing to that of placebo gel group (from 14.63 ± 3.61 to 13.5 ± 3.78) was significantly different (p-value =0.001). Moreover, results of IIEF questionnaire revealed significant improvement of “Intercourse Satisfaction” in SA gel group (p-value = 0.016). No adverse event was observed. It seems that SA gel could be beneficial in the treatment of premature ejaculation; however, it should be further evaluated in larger studies.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviewing ancient manuscripts of Persian medicine (PM) reveals that there have been some basic principles for decision-making in epidemic infectious diseases that existed in the past. These PM rules for clinical reasoning were applied through a personalized approach along with public health advice in such situations. Currently, the coronavirus pandemic has been the biggest problem in the world. Its mainstay of treatment is based on preventative measures and symptomatic treatments. Meanwhile, traditional medical systems for providing preventive, supportive, and rehabilitative care to patients have received more attention than before. Thus, the specific individual approach considered by PM scholars for clinical courses of epidemic infectious diseases may help shed more light on the spread of knowledge on epidemic diseases in ancient Persia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An injury or a wound is an anatomical and functional disturbance to the tissue. Wound healing is a complicated mechanism of tissue regeneration or remodelling that occurs in response to an injury. Plants and plant-derived constituents have long been used to heal and handle various forms of wounds. Currently, various forms of biopolymers are being studied in order to create a cost-effective, long-lasting, durable, and reliable delivery mechanism for the treatment of wounds. Wound treatment providers have revisited ancient healing practices by using conventional and complementary medicine in wound recovery due to the rise of multi-resistant pathogens and a decline in modern antibiotics. People’s attitudes toward alternative medicine have shifted as well, which is very positive. The idea of moist wound healing has gained a lot of attraction, and conventional medicine has begun to use it to speed up the healing process. In wound care treatment, several experiments using herbal and conventional medicine from various continents have been published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: One of the essential concepts of the Persian medicine (PM) is temperament (mizaj), which have a special contribution in health maintenance. In the present study we aimed to investigate the association of the hand digit ratio with the temperament types and the symmetry of this ratio between the two hands in each group to see whether these properties have a potency to be applied as an index for mizaj identification. Methods: The study sample included 323 women aged between 20 to 32 years old. In order to obtain 2D:4D ratio, both hands were photographed from the palm side and then the length of index and ring fingers were measured using image J. Participants' temperament type was identified using a standard self-reported questioner. Findings: In respect of the digit ratio, there was no significant difference between the study groups neither in right nor in left hands (kruskal wallis test for right hand: chi-square=3.985, df=8 p=0.858; for left hand: chi-square=4.311, df=8 p=0.828). However, the results of paired sample t-test showed a significant higher digit ratio in the right hand compared to the left hand in the cold-moist group (t=3.28, df=66, p=0.002). Conclusion: The results of this study did not support the relationship between the digit ratio and temperament. However, individuals with cold-moist temperament showed asymmetry of the digit ratio. This finding suggests that the digit ratio asymmetry may has a potency to use as an index in the cold-moist mizaj identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Punica granatum L. flower, known as "Persian Golnar", is used in Persian medicine to treat excessive menstrual bleeding. Most therapeutic activities of pomegranate are due to the presence of phenolic compounds such as ellagitannins and gallotannins. Aim: This study served the purpose of developing and standardizing P. granatum vaginal suppository. Materials and Methods: Total phenolic and tannin content were assessed for both the extract and the final formula. Moreover, physicochemical properties of vaginal suppository such as appearance, weight variation, melting point, and dissolution test were evaluated. Results and Discussion: It was indicated by the findings of this study that the odorless suppositories have a brownish-red color and uniform appearance with an average weight of 2.06 ± 0.04 and a melting time of 28.93 ± 0.40. 100% of the plant extract was released for up to 90 min after administration. The results also indicated that the average phenolic percentages of the extract and suppositories were 17.03 % and 15.73% within three days respectively. Conclusion: P. granatum flower extract as a vaginal suppository can be applied as an anti-hemorrhagic agent due to the presence of polyphenols, particularly tannins, in the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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, antihistamines, 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Systematic reviews cling to the doctrine that science has an updating databank and attempt to identify all available evidence by featured eligibility criteria to find the answer to a unique scientific question. Therefore, to reach this aim, these researches should use a wise method and comprehensive search strategy, as they are widely used to guide clinical and political decisions and the establishment of future researches. We would like to appreciate Jenny Carè, Amie Steel, and Jon Wardle for the valuable article “Stakeholder attitudes to the regulation of traditional and complementary medicine professions: a systematic review”. Some important missed search terms in the field of traditional medicine names and traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) regulation concepts were discussed in the article.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease and its etiology has not fully understood in conventional medicine. It also influences the quality of life as a result of its recurrence and progressive clinical course, then, it has been considered an important public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prescription therapy based on the Persian Medicine as a complementary treatment for the mitigation of the symptoms of UC as well as improvement in the disease severity. A total of 30 UC patients with an age range of 15-70 years participated in this clinical trial. They were treated with the “Sahj” capsule containing: Curcuma longa L., Punica granatum L., and Terminalia chebula Retz. for 4 weeks. The “Sahj” capsule was prepared based on the Persian Medicine resources. The bowel frequency at day/night, urgency of defecation, general health, and blood in stool were assessed pre/post intervention and the results were compared before and after the clinical trial. The “Sahj” capsule significantly enhanced the clinical findings. There was a significant increase in simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) score in response to the prescription of the “Sahj” capsule (7.73 ± 1.98 before and 4.30 ± 1.12 after the trial) in which general health condition of patients was increased by 50% after the clinical trial. Bowel frequency at day was remarkably decreased by totally 15 patients with the scores of 1, 2 and 3 were enrolled to score 0. Also, bowel frequency at night was not statically significant (p = 0.267) in spite of 7 patients were improved their score (changed their score from 2 to 1). Urgency of defecation (p 0.003) and blood in stool (p 0.0001) were significantly decreased compared with pre-intervention stage. These findings suggest an appropriate complementary treatment to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. However, further studies with larger sample size are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of the “Sahj” capsule in the treatment of UC.

Functional bloating is one of the gastrointestinal diseases that impacts the quality of life and social activities of the patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle modification based on Persian Medicine (PM) on functional bloating improvement. Fifty patients with functional bloating and ROME III confirmation criteria were enrolled in the study groups of control and intervention. The intervention group received lifestyle modification education based on PM perspectives, and the control group did not receive any training. The score of implementing PM recommendations by patients was evaluated by the questionnaire of “compliance with the PM principles effective on functional bloating” once every two weeks during the two months of the study. The severity of clinical Complications Associated with Functional Bloating (CAFB) was also evaluated before and after the study by visual analog scale. Primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed by t-test and ANCOVA in SPSS version 19. The qualitative data analysis was performed via Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. The severity of clinical CAFB was significantly higher in women at baseline (P = 0.027). Lifestyle modification of patients led to a gradual increase in compliance with the PM principles. By the end of the study, the mean score of compliance with the PM principles in the intervention group was significantly higher compared to the pre-intervention score (P

Background and aims: Antidepressant drugs are accompanied with high rate of adverse effects. Lavender is one of the most common herbal drugs mentioned in Traditional Persian literature with potential efficacy on mental disorders and less serious side effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of lavender on depression severity by preforming a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, Embase and Web of science were searched for relevant articles till December 2020. Quality of studies were evaluated by Jadad scale and the Cochrane collaboration tool. Depression as endpoint measure or as a subscale of any valid assessment tool was subjected to quantitative data analyses. Both fixed and random effects meta-analysis were conducted for data synthesis. Results: Out of 342 screened studies, 17 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed significant efficacy of lavender in decreasing depression scores compared to the control group (pooled Standardized Mean Difference (SMD)= -0.66, 95 % CI: -0.85 to -0.46;P < 0.001, I2 = 68.2 %;). Subgroup analysis proved that the effect of lavender was marginally more pronounced in participants with diagnosed depression (pooled SMD= -0.62, 95 % CI: -1.26 to 0.01, P = 0.055; I2 = 88.1 %) while its effect was statistically significant in patients having other diseases with concomitant depressive symptoms (pooled SMD= -0.65, 95 % CI: -1.84 to -0.46, P < 0.001; I2 = 52.1 %), and the oral route (pooled SMD= -0.56, 95 % CI: -1.07 to -0.05, P = 0.032; I2 = 85.2 %;) was the most effective route of administration. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that lavender has significant antidepressant effects. However, due to some limitations, further large clinical trials are recommended with more homogeneous populations and rigorous designs.

Persian Medicine applies various types of treatment, from changing lifestyle (known as Setteh-e-zarurieh) to using medicines and manual interventions. Manual interventions have various types and indications in Persian Medicine. Visceral manipulation is one of them, which is defined as applying techniques to the viscera or the structures that support it in the case of disturbed motility or mobility related to a visceral system and the associated elements. Herein, Persian Medicine manuscripts were searched to find available information about visceral manipulation. There are many similarities between basic principles of visceral manipulation and Persian Medicine. Persian Medicine scholars have explained about anatomy of fascia and its components many years ago, which are very close to what today’s knowledge is. Most probably, one of the very first scholars who has mentioned the idea of visceral manipulation is Avicenna (980–1037 CE). In his Canon of Medicine, Avicenna mentioned Ghamz as a treatment for liver injury. The available in vitro and animal studies support the positive effects of visceral manipulation. Persian Medicine scholars had detected nerve fibers and collagen which are fascia components. They are pioneer in this regard, too.

The term “crisis” in medical context is an important turning point or stage which occurs in some diseases and if not managed correctly, can become life threatening. Despite the use of the term in modern medicine, it was a much wider and sophisticated traditional medical concept. The first usage has been seen in the Greek writings of Hippocrates. In the Islamic Golden Age, this concept entered Persian Medicine by translation of Greek medical treatises. Great Persian Medicine scholars have paid particular attention to the concept and have written exclusive chapters about it. One of such scholars, Hakim Mohammad Azam Khan Chishti (1814-1902), an Indo-Persian physician and medical writer, wrote several comprehensive encyclopedic books - in Persian language - about various aspects of Persian Medicine including crises. In this historical review we discuss his biography and his books, especially his important book Rokn-e-Azam, which is a comprehensive work on the concept of crisis in which he collected and discussed opinions of great medical scholars from ancient times to the 19th century. Despite his fidelity, unfortunately he rarely criticized the previous literature and thus did not add an additional value to the subject else than his comprehensive review. In the recent worldwide accepted roadmap towards Integrative Medicine, studying such inclusive traditional manuscripts may give better insight and understanding of the behavior of acute and chronic diseases and their appearance, exacerbations and remissions.

Sweet almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb) is a known nut, which has long been used in several ethnomedical systems, especially in Persian medicine (PM) for its nutritional and therapeutic activities. In this study, we aimed to provide a summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of sweet almond. Thus, we reviewed textbooks of PM and electronic literature on traditional medicine. Moreover, the available data on the usage of sweet almond were searched in electronic databases to find articles on its pharmacological properties and phytochemistry. According to phytochemical investigations, this plant contains macronutrients, micronutrients, essential oils, various phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. Current pharmacological studies represent that Prunus dulcis has several biological activities including prebiotic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiometabolic protection, nootropic, anxiolytic, sedative–hypnotic, and nervous‐improving effects. Further clinical trials and meta‐analysis are required to draw a definitive conclusion on the efficacy and therapeutic activities of almond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) with astringent activities and Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are natural remedies used for various skin disorders, including wound healing. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined wound healing activity of the methanol extracts of pomegranate and chamomile flowers. Methods: After preparing the menthol fraction of pomegranate and chamomile flowers, the content of total phenols, total tannins, and total flavonoids of fractions was measured. For standardization of pomegranate and chamomile fractions, Gallic acid and apigenin-7-O-glucoside contents of them were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, their antioxidant activities were examined using DPPH and FRAP tests. The antimicrobial assay was performed against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three different concentrations of methanol fraction of each plant and one combination dose of fractions were investigated for their wound healing activities in an excision wound model on the rats' dorsum. Finally, histopathological studies were done at the end of the experiment. Results: Phytochemical examinations showed high amounts of phenolic compounds in pomegranate flowers, while chamomile flower fractions contained a high amount of total flavonoids. Both fractions, especially pomegranate, had potent antioxidant activity. The best results for wound closure were observed 7 days after wound induction. All treated groups exhibited superior wound contraction compared to their placebo at all measurement times. The combined form of pomegranate and chamomile had better wound healing properties compared to a single therapy, especially on time earlier to wound induction. Conclusion: This study represented high antioxidant and wound healing activities for methanol fraction of pomegranate and chamomile flowers, which could be related to their high content of phytochemicals. In comparison with single herb treatment, the combined form of these two fractions in lower concentrations accelerated wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Population aging is occurring in almost every country in the world, resulting in reduced mortality, reduced fertility, and increased life expectancy. With an increase in the elderly population, chronic diseases related to aging, including Alzheimer's disease will also increase, which is a big problem for the health in society. Since early diagnosis can help a more effective treatment, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and its risk factors in people aged 50 and above in Kerman, Iran. Methods: For sampling, a one-step random cluster method was used across 11 districts of Kerman for one year and a ten-item questionnaire provided by Alzheimer's World Association and MMSE was employed for data collection. Results: A total of 4,191 people were surveyed, of which 1,213 were 50 years of age or older. 1111 people had disorder at least one question in the MMSE ten-item questionnaire. 26 of these people were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after further investigation. Conclusion: The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in Kerman was similar to that in the rest of the world. Many of the cases were over 80 years old and had serious illnesses. If they had been diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, their disease could be managed at a lower cost and more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iranian traditional medicine, also known as Persian Medicine, is a holistic school of medicine with a long prolific history. It describes numerous concepts and the relationships between them. However, no unified language system has been proposed for the concepts of this medicine up to the present time. Considering the extensive terminology in the numerous textbooks written by the scholars over centuries, comprehending the totality of concepts is obviously a very challenging task. To resolve this issue, overcome the obstacles, and code the concepts in a reusable manner, constructing an ontology of the concepts of Iranian traditional medicine seems a necessity. Construction and content: Makhzan al-Advieh, an encyclopedia of materia medica compiled by Mohammad Hossein Aghili Khorasani, was selected as the resource to create an ontology of the concepts used to describe medicinal substances. The steps followed to accomplish this task included (1) compiling the list of classes via examination of textbooks, and text mining the resource followed by manual review to ensure comprehensiveness of extracted terms; (2) arranging the classes in a taxonomy; (3) determining object and data properties; (4) specifying annotation properties including ID, labels (English and Persian), alternative terms, and definitions (English and Persian); (5) ontology evaluation. The ontology was created using Protégé with adherence to the principles of ontology development provided by the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology (OBO) foundry. Utility and discussion: The ontology was finalized with inclusion of 3521 classes, 15 properties, and 20,903 axioms in the Iranian traditional medicine General Ontology (IrGO) database, freely available at http://ir-go.net/. An indented list and an interactive graph view using WebVOWL were used to visualize the ontology. All classes were linked to their instances in UNaProd database to create a knowledge base of ITM materia medica. Conclusion: We constructed an ontology-based knowledge base of ITM concepts in the domain of materia medica to help offer a shared and common understanding of this concept, enable reuse of the knowledge, and make the assumptions explicit. This ontology will aid Persian medicine practitioners in clinical decision-making to select drugs. Extending IrGO will bridge the gap between traditional and conventional schools of medicine, helping guide future research in the process of drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) have recently become more popular and accepted worldwide. One principal step to identify the status and organize strategies of CAM is evaluating the manner and the prevalence of its usage among people. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CAM modalities usage by the people of Babol, a central city in the North of Iran, in 2018. Methods: Using the original International CAM Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), a questionnaire was redesigned in Persian (Farsi) with some changes such as adding special modalities in Iran and its validity and reliability were assessed. Six hundred households were evaluated using a cluster sampling method in 2018 spring by 12 trained interviewers. Results: Finally, 1770 questionnaires were correctly completed. A total of 110 participants (6.21% of the completed questionnaires) had visited CAM therapists in the last year, 109 persons (6.15%) had received prescriptions from physicians and paramedics to use CAM, and a total of 1032 people (58.30%) used herbs and herbal medicines in the last 12 months. Also, 1265 individuals (71.46%) had used CAM throughout their lives. The most popular methods were herbal medicine (65.76%), Persian Medicine (13.78%), water therapy (10.45%) and music therapy (8.36%). The use of CAM was more popular among women. Conclusions: The general use of CAM in Babol was similar to other studies, but there were fewer visits by CAM therapists and less frequent adoption of common methods including homeopathy, acupuncture, and energy therapy. It was found that CAM was mostly used for non-serious diseases such as cold and transient gastrointestinal disorders, a pattern that is different from other studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Corticosteroids as the main treatment of hand eczema can cause major side effects. This study compared the effect of topical preparation of Sambucus ebulus L. leaves and hydrocortisone on the severity of hand eczema. Design: Ninety-four patients with hand eczema aging 18–60 years were recruited in two groups (S. ebulus vs. hydrocortisone). Interventions: The patients used topical medications twice a day and were followed for 4 weeks. The observations were made at the first visit, and also second and fourth weeks of the study. Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were changes in the severity of hand eczema (hand eczema severity index [HECSI]) and life quality (dermatology life quality index [DLQI]). Secondary outcomes were the rate of healing and the severity of itching. Results: Thirty-eight patients in hydrocortisone and 43 in S. ebulus fulfilled all phases of the follow-up. In both groups, the HECSI, itching scores decreased over time without any significant difference between the groups (p = 0.49, 0.57, respectively). The DLQI scores were significantly better in the S. ebulus group (p = 0.02) after 4 weeks of medication. There was no significant difference between the healing rates of the two groups (p = 0.33). Conclusions: Topical use of S. ebulus can be as effective as that of hydrocortisone when it comes to reducing the severity of hand eczema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Atherosclerosis is the basic pathology of most cardiovascular diseases which are the most common non-communicable diseases in the world. Recently, inflammation in the arterial wall has been proposed for the initiation of atherosclerosis although there is no specific anti-inflammatory treatment for atherosclerosis. Persian medicine (PM) with at least 7000 years of practice background may help in atherosclerosis management. The aim of this study was to describe atherosclerosis according to the teachings of PM to find better methods for its management. Materials and Methods: To this end, several data were searched, including current medical literature and published articles on PM, as well as Avicenna's main medical textbook, the Canon of medicine for creating the hypothesis of the mechanism of atherosclerosis in PM. Results: Avicenna has implied Waram in the arterial wall. The features of Waram in PM accommodate inflammation, and Waram in the artery is compatible with atherosclerosis. The natural history of atherosclerosis is highly similar to humoral evolutions in Waram. PM has a wide range of therapeutic drugs and treatment plans for warm, and many of the applied drugs in this regard have documented anti-inflammatory effects in the current medicine. New risk factors for prevention and new treatment modalities are recommended based on this hypothesis. Conclusions: The new hypothesis that emerged from PM for atherosclerosis is compatible with the newest hypothesis of the mechanism of atherosclerosis in current medicine. Moreover, PM introduces new preventive and treatment modalities for atherosclerosis which is unknown in current medicine and their application may reduce disease burden and mortality of atherosclerosis-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: COVID-19, a novel Coronavirus from same family as SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious virus. It is transmitted mainly from upper respiratory system and affects important organs, like heart and lungs. The aim of this study is identifying appropriate therapeutic methods originated from persian medicine. Materials and Methods: This study has been designed from the viewpoints of traditional and modern medicine. Considering modern medicine, we searched valid database by searching key words “SARS-Cov-2” and “COVID-19”. For traditional medicine, we searched reliable traditional medicine like the “Canon of Medicine” by “Avicenna”, the Exir-e Aazam and Zakhira-I Kharazm Shahi. Patients were evaluated according to their symptoms and categorized based on traditional medicine. Physiopathology and management of the disease, including prevention and treatment were studied. Results: The principle underlying mechanism seems to be warm and dry dystemperament that affects different organs and causes various adverse effects which are higher than warm and dry dystemperament, but less than the presence of virus. Our traditional Iranian medicine findings are validated by the modern medicine. Conclusion: Based on symptoms, the equivalent of this disease was examined from the viewpoint of traditional medicine. Then, physiopathology and management of this disease were presented in five levels, including one stage of prevention and four stages of treatment, and finally, the treatment recommendations of Iranian traditional medicine were approved with new research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a challenging disorder that severely impacts the quality of life. The current study objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of jujube oxymel (JO) for treating CSU., Materials and Methods: In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 92 patients (aged 12-65) with CSU were randomly allocated to JO or placebo groups. They received 30cc of each syrup three times daily with 10 mg cetirizine for 28 days, subsequently taking 10 mg cetirizine alone for the next 4 weeks. Outcomes were evaluated using the weekly urticaria activity score (UAS-7) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL)., Results: After four weeks, the UAS-7 score mean and standard deviation in the JO group significantly decreased to 10.89 ± 4.87 compared to the placebo group at 15.06 ± 7.55 ( P : 0.002). In the follow-up period, JO group participants achieved a score of 10.28 (4.67), while a significant increase occurred in the control group (18.33 ± 6.29) ( P = 0.001). On day 28, there was a notable improvement in the quality of life within the JO group ( P < 0.05). By the eighth week, both groups experienced an increase in CU-Q2oL score, but the changes in the control group were statistically significant (18.09 (5.96) vs 41.31 (10.34) ( P : 0.001)., Conclusion: JO, as part of integrated therapy, exhibited potentially longer-lasting efficacy than cetirizine alone, contributing to enhanced quality of life and increased patient satisfaction due to minimal side effects., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women of child-bearing age, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 6 to 20%. Considering the potential side effects of chemical medications and the need for long-term drug administration, complementary treatments such as acupuncture, auriculotherapy, and herbal medicine have been considered. Hence, this study was designed to compare the effects of auriculotherapy, a herbal component (Aslagh capsule), and metformin on the clinical symptoms of PCOS., Materials and Methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial study, which allocated 24 women, aged 18-43 years old, with oligomenorrhea in PCOs, in a 1:1:1 ratio, to three groups., Result: A decreasing pattern in the duration of the menstrual cycle was observed in all three groups, but this was significant only in the auriculotherapy group. There were no significant differences between the three groups in acne and hirsutism scores. However, there was a significant reduction in excess hair growth and density of hair in the auriculotherapy group compared to the other two groups ( P < 0.05). Besides, in the auriculotherapy group, the reduction in thickness of excess hair at the end of the second and third months of treatment were marginally significant compared to the two other groups., Conclusions: Auriculotherapy and Aslagh capsule can be effective in reducing PCOS symptoms, similar to metformin. However, auriculotherapy is more effective than the other treatments in reducing the duration of the menstrual cycle, excess hair growth, and hair density., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Background: Treatments for acute bronchitis is usually a supportive care to relieve upper respiratory symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Plantago major syrup (PMS) on cough severity in acute bronchitis., Methods: Patients (20-75 years-old) referred to the clinic of infectious diseases in Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran with a complaint of cough and the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS) ≥5 entered the study. The patients randomly received PMS or placebo 30 ml/day for 10 days. Patients were visited before treatment and on days 5 and 10 after treatment. The primary outcome was BSS score and secondary outcome was the life quality that was measured by means of the Persian version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) at the first visit and on the 10 th day., Results: Of the 121 patients diagnosed with acute bronchitis, 80 eligible patients (42.87±11.75 years-old) were randomly divided into PMS and placebo groups. The BSS score in the PMS group after 10 days was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (P=0.001). Frequency of cough (P=0.001), sputum production (P=0.005), and chest wall pain (P=0.008) were significantly lower in the PMS group than in the placebo group. In terms of quality of life, all items, including psychological, physical, and social domains, as well as total scores, were altered significantly in the PMS group compared to placebo. During monitoring of side effects, no significant adverse effects were stated in either group., Conclusion: The study indicates the palliative effects of PMS in relieving the symptoms of acute bronchitis and improving quality of life., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s).)

Introduction: This study reevaluates the historical origins of occlusion therapy for amblyopia, focusing on the contributions of the 9th-century Islamic scholar, Ali ibn Sahl ibn Rabban al-Tabari (838-870 CE)., Methods: The investigation delved into al-Tabari's writings, particularly "Firdous al-Hikma," to extract insights into his approach to addressing reduced vision in one eye.Additionally, the study examined subsequent advancements in occlusion therapy by scholars such as Thabit ibn Qurrah and Rhazes, building upon al-Tabari'sfoundational work., Results: Al-Tabari's reports contain significant insights into occlusion therapy for amblyopia, predating commonly attributed origins of the treatment. Within "Firdous al-Hikma," he outlines methods for addressing reduced vision, advocating for the covering of the healthier eye to promote the function of the weaker eye. These findings highlight the pioneering efforts of al-Tabari and his contemporaries in the Islamic civilization and challenge the conventional narrative surrounding the history of occlusion therapy. Subsequent advancements by scholars such as Thabit ibn Qurrah and Rhazes expanded upon al-Tabari's work, advocating for similar therapeutic approaches within the Islamic civilization. Their contributions further solidified the practice of occlusion therapy, laying the groundwork for its continued evolution and refinement in subsequent centuries., Discussion: Al-Tabari's contributions to occlusion therapy underscore the rich heritage of scientific inquiry in theIslamic civilization during the medieval period. This historical perspective sheds light on the diverse contributions to medical knowledge and practice outside of Western contexts and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring these contributions in the broader history of medicine.

Paralytic ileus is a prevalent medical condition following surgery, exerting a significant financial impact on the healthcare system. Despite its considerable implications, there has been limited progress in advancing both diagnostic and curative approaches to address ileus. This study seeks to introduce alternative diagnostic methodologies rooted in Persian medicine (PM) for paralytic ileus. Our investigation involved a thorough review of literature, including The Canon of Medicine, and an exploration of various PM texts for relevant references. The findings were systematically compared with contemporary medical documentation. According to Persian medicine, paralytic ileus is classified as a type of 'Gholanj' disease. Persian medicine physicians extensively documented this disease, presenting detailed insights. While some aspects of PM viewpoints and the etiology of intestinal obstruction were humoral-theory-based, a majority of his definitions align with current medical concepts. Additionally, Persian medicine physicians proposed numerous therapeutic approaches for managing ileus, such as the Hoghne method, rectal suppositories, topical application of medicines, sitz baths, and the use of laxatives. Gaining a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology and exploring alternative treatment options outlined in Persian medicine can prove valuable for future studies aimed at enhancing the management of paralytic ileus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar (BS) levels due to impaired insulin production or insulin resistance. It is a global health concern with significant implications for morbidity and mortality. Persian medicine has long utilised natural remedies, such as Pistacia atlantica Desf., for various diseases. In this randomised clinical trial, the effects of P. atlantica oleoresin in the improvement of lipid profiles, glucose indices and blood pressure (BP) were assessed in patients with Type 2 DM., Materials and Methods: In this randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 42 patients with Type 2 DM were randomly allocated to receive either P. atlantica oleoresin or placebo capsule for 3 months. Patients were evaluated prior to and 12 weeks after the beginning of the intervention, in terms of changes in lipid profiles, glucose indices and BP., Results: After 3 months, the mean BP in patients with DM receiving P. atlantica oleoresin was significantly reduced compared with the baseline (p = 0.001). Also, these changes were significantly higher than those of the control group. The mean of total cholesterol (p = 0.89), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p = 0.43) and triglyceride (TG) (p = 0.98) in the intervention group after 3 months was lower than that in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant., Conclusion: After 3 months, there was no significant difference between the P. atlantica and control groups in terms of blood sugar and lipid profiles. The mean BP in patients with DM receiving P. atlantica oleoresin was significantly reduced compared with that in the beginning of the study. Also, these changes were significant compared with the control group., (© 2024 The Author(s). Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Rabies is one of the most lethal diseases in human history. From the past, various drugs have been used to prevent the contraction of the disease when being bitten by a rabid animal. An insect called Ḏarārīḥ (Lytta vesicatoria), although poisonous, has in some cases been medically used. Greeks and Romans have used venomousness of this insect to treat skin diseases, but it has not been used to prevent rabies. This is a summative qualitative content analysis that focused on Persian Medicine (PM) texts from 2th to 13th AH centuries. Literature was searched during centuries 4th to 13th AH, by using this key words: ذراریح (Ḏarārīḥ), قنثاریدس (Cantharis/cantharides), and ئشفث Lytta vesicatoria and after extracting the data and analyzing them, the results were presented. In TPM texts, this insect was used to prevent rabies. This study has shown that the use of ḏarārīḥ (Lytta vesicatoria) in the prevention of rabies has been one of the innovations of the practitioners of Islamic civilization. The innovation proves that scholars in the period of Islamic civilization were not merely consumers or custodians of Roman, Greek, Indian, and Iranian knowledge, but added to it while preserving that knowledge.

Background: Pandemics of infectious diseases have long been regarded as societal challenges. This study aimed to summarize the theories of Persian medicine for controlling respiratory disease-related pandemics and to compare these theories with the findings of modern medicine. Methods: We searched the classic medical reference books of the 9th to 19th centuries for the terms ‘polluted air’ and ‘pandemic’, and we searched 4 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus) with the keywords ‘COVID-19’, ‘pandemic’, ‘history’, and ‘prevention programs’. The results were collected and subjected to content analysis. Results: From the point of view of traditional Iranian physicians, disease prevention is primarily possible by avoiding pathogenic factors. As a secondary solution, reducing one's susceptibility to the disease is crucial; this can be achieved through cleansing the body and strengthening the mood, reducing food intake, decreasing the internal humidity, disinfecting the house with herbal fumigation, and making use of pleasant aromas. Some of these recommendations are reaffirmed by modern research. Conclusion: Persian medicine techniques may be preventive during respiratory, influenza-like disease pandemics. However, rigorous studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Music history is as old as human history and it has been used as a way to reduce human suffering. Persian Medicine (PM) scholars as one of the oldest traditional medicines applied music for health and disease management. This study aims to introduce some of the views and recommendations of PM sages about importance and application of music in disease improvement. Definition and applications of music were collected from main PM medical text books and then databases including Science direct, PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar were searched to evaluation the efficacy of PM recommendations in conventional medicine from 1980-Jan-1 to 2020-Nov-1. PM used music and melody with several instruments to calm and soothe mind and body. Great PM scientists like Rhazes (10th), Farabi (10th) and Qutb o Din (14th), were dominant figures in terms of musical knowledge. They used music for treatment of several conditions including nervous system diseases (headache and epilepsy), sleep disorders, heart weakness and palpitation, digestive system disorders (gastrointestinal ulcer and appetite), sexual dysfunction, and also for pain management. Nowadays, some of their suggested applications are examined in research studies and are used in academic healthcare environments against several diseases. According to PM, to achieve the maximum impact of music effects in mind and body, several points should be considered including coordination of rhythm and melody with physical and mental characteristics and temperaments (Mizaj) of the listener and his/her illness. The duration of listening to the music can also be important. Attention to these points in today’s research may lead to interesting results.

In recent years, the common belief that herbal medications cause no side effects, have led to an increase in the consumption of these medications without prescription. Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbs in the world and is a native of Eastern Asian countries such as China and Korea. It is also known to have several medicinal purposes. However, unreasonable use of this herb can bear consequences. In the current article, 28-year-old woman has consumed 4 capsules each day, which contained Ginseng roots, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) extract, and Ziziphora (Ziziphora capitate) extract without a prescription to gain weight, which has resulted in serious side effects - including hepatotoxicity, psychologic, and gynecologic disorders. However, these symptoms were controlled with Chicory roots, Purslane and Jujube oxymel. PM focuses on the cooperation between food categories, nutritional instructions, food modulators, and medications. Regardless of their several therapeutic effects, medical herbs have been known to cause quite serious side effects if consumed unsystematically and without the surveillance of a doctor.

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Headache is one of the most common medical problems experienced by the majority of general population. In the latest version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-Ⅲ) beta in 2013, fasting headache, has been classified as a secondary headache, and a subheading of “Headache attributed to fasting”. Suggested controversial hypothesis of this medical condition include associations with hypoglycemia, sleep quality and caffeine withdrawal, although these relationships have not been confirmed yet. The principal purpose of the present study is to review the etiology and proposed preventive and treating strategies regarding fasting headache in Persian Medicine (PM) literature. This complaint is regarded as a headache associated with dryness in PM. Therefore, words related to "dryness" from PM references. Relevant keywords were also searched in modern medical literature and PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Web of science and Sid databases. Obtained results were subsequently compared following classification. Fasting plays a causative role in increasing heat in the heart, liver, and stomach (and other organs), and also decreasing body moisture. Therefore, the effective management as proposed by PM is reducing the heat and increasing body moisture. More research is needed to provide academic evidence in this regard.

In Persian medicine (PM), massage is one of the principles for maintaining health. This study presents the viewpoint of PM about massage in pediatrics and the scientific evidence for its efficacy. The PM textbooks including Canon of Medicine, Mufarrah al-qulub, Kholase-alHekmah, Kholase-al-Tajareb, Tadbir al-hobali val atfal va-sebyan, Exir-e-Azam, Ehya-al-Atfal, Risalat-al-Dallakieh were reviewed for applications of massage in children. The keywords were Dalk, Ghamz, rubbing, and massage. The effectiveness of PM recommendations for massage in modern medicine was searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and science direct, SID, and Magiran with the keywords massage, pediatrics, and children. The selection criteria were clinical trials or reviews on pediatric massage in English or Persian language without time limitation. Applications of pediatric massage in PM which scientific articles approve their efficacy include facilitating the growth, development, and weight gain, reducing muscle and joint pain, relieving colic and bloating, helping to treat skin dryness, and convulsion. Other applications including sore throats, colds, vomiting, and eye aberrations are needed to be evaluated in clinical studies.

In addition to respiratory symptoms as the most common manifestations of COVID-19, GI tract symptoms may occur in some patients, as well. These symptoms could be disabling and annoying and supportive treatments are required to control them. Some natural remedies based on Persian medicine could be effective to fast control of GI manifestations of COVID-19 disease through Food modification and using some medicinal plants and Life style correction. This paper reports a case of COVID-19 patient with GI complications which has been treated by using Persian Medicine recommendations.

Dysmenorrhea is known as painful menstruation with considerable effects on women's mental status and quality of life with some limits for treatment. The objective of this prospective case series was to evaluate effects of Saussurea Costus (Qost) oil, an Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian Medicine) product, on the primary dysmenorrhea. In this case series, 13 patients were included to study and treated with local Qost oil for 6 weeks. The oil was rubbed (without massage) 15 drops every 12 hours to the sub-navel region until pubis. The improvement of dysmenorrhea, evaluated with VAS score based on the last periodic cycle before the study and the last cycle after the completion of the intervention, which continued 6 weeks (at least one period for each patient). Then, 4 weeks after the end of the intervention (equivalent to one period for each patient), the evaluation was performed. The mean VAS score of patients before intervention was 7.77. The score after the end of intervention up to 4 weeks after the end of intervention improved to 1.85. (76.191%). During this study, no side effects were reported in the patients, and no patient was excluded from the study. Due to easiness of use and low invasion of topical treatment, it can be suitable for dysmenorrhea controlling. Upon the beneficial effects of Qost oil on uterine diseases and pains in Persian Medicine sources, usage of that oil in double blinded clinical trial in the subject of dysmenorrhea is suggested.

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Varicocele has a relatively high prevalence in men and is a major cause of infertility in men. The disease has been discussed extensively in Persian medicine textbooks. Considering the importance of infertility and its impact on mental health and quality of life, we aimed to review the Persian medicine (Iranian Traditional Medicine) literature on the underlying causes, the process and treatment of varicocele. Methods: This descriptive review was carried out using 13 most authoritative sources of Persian medicine with the help of the Noor software. The search was conducted using the following keywords in their Persian medicine equivalents: "varicose", "testicles", "gonads" and "scrotum". Results: Varicocele was defined as tortuous dilation of testicular veins and their surroundings. Because of the coldness and the weaker nature of the left testicle, varicocele is more prevalent on this side. This could be related to the reduced purification of materials due to the path of left testicular arteries. For the treatment of this disease, the Persian medicine recommends a set of measures including dietary modifications, some oral and topical medications, and even phlebotomy. Conclusion: Studying the Persian medicine literature and utilizing the recommended therapies (after updating and confirming their efficacy in evidence-based research) can provide cost-effective, safer and simpler therapeutic approaches that can be complementary to the current therapies.

Introduction: Due to the prevalence of melasma pregnancy (chloasma) and tendency to complementary medicine, this review study was performed with aim to introduce the medicinal herbs affecting the prevention and treatment of chloasma. Methods: This review study was performed by searching in 10 authentic books of Persian medicine with the “Introducing a model for prioritization of drugs, based on Iranian Traditional Medicine references” model and also 32 valuable articles with searching in ISI, Scopus, PubMed, Magiran & SID by using the inclusion criteria of available books and articles with the keywords of Kalaf (melasma and chloasma) in Persian medicine and also chloasma and herbal drug in conventional medicine from 1978-2018. The results were compared. Results: Based on the findings of this study, chloasma has been discussed in detail in Persian and conventional medicine. Persian scholars considered oligomenorrhea as the cause of chloasma. They had recommended treatments such as lifestyle and nutrition modifications, the use of herbal drugs and the use of manual therapies. Accordingly, the use of Crocus sativus, Allium ampeloprasum, Fumaria officinalis, Vitis vinifera, Ficus carica, Trigonella foenum graceum, Apium graveolens and Cicer arietinum was prescribed for treatment of chloasma. Nowadays, conventional medicine has proved the its various mechanisms such as having antioxidants and multivitamins and confirmed its effectiveness for treatment of melasma. Conclusion: Based on the proven mechanism of the plants affecting chloasma, the use of these foods in the diet of patients along with conventional medicine will help to improve the disease faster.

Oligo/amenorrhea is one of the most common women's complaints. The most frequent pathologic causes of this condition is polycystic ovaries that leads to unovulatory cycles. Because of insufficiency of treatment in conventional medicine, we studied view point of Persian Medicine. We searched main Persian Medicine references to collect important information about wet-cupping and phlebotomy in treatment of oligo/amenorrhea especially in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. For gathering evidence that establish this idea, we searched main English and Persian language databases for studies about effectiveness of wet-cupping and phlebotomy on menstruation. Excretion blood from lower extremities especially saphenous vein phlebotomy and calves wet-cupping while massive blood excreting is recommended by Persian physicians in Ehtebas-e-tams (oligo/amenorrhea). From the 106 citations identified from electronic searches, at beginning, 3 ones meet our study objectives. These articles showed that wet-cupping effect on menstruation in women with PCOS and fertilization. Although any study didn't find about effectiveness of phlebotomy on menstruation or fertilization, but majority studies show effect of phlebotomy or blood donation on decrease of insulin resistance. More research about treating this condition are needed to confirm the effectiveness of phlebotomy or wet-cupping in treatment of oligo/amenorrhea.

Low-back pain is a common disease and a considerable economic burden in modern societies. Complementary and alternative therapies for assisting management of pain and disability are sought by a large number of patients. In the present work, the most common herbs used to manage Low-back pain in Iranian traditional medicine (Persian medicine) and current literature has been investigated.Chapters about low-back pain (“Vaja-e Zahr”), and radiculopathy (“Erghonnasa”) and sciatica from Liber Continens (Alhavi) and Canon of Medicine were reviewed. All types of plant usage mentioned in the books including oral, rectal, and topical administration, either alone or in combination were recorded. Descriptive statistics (frequency distributions) were used to report the findings. The current literature were searched with “herbal medicine” and “low-back pain” medical subject heading (MeSH) terms in PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scientific Information Database (in Persian), and Google Scholar databases, to investigate medicinal usage of the most suggested plants.Citrullus colocynthis L. Schrad was the most common plant that Rhazesused in compounds and a significant herb used by Avicenna for management of low-back pain and sciatica. Fruit was the main part and rectal route was the main type of administration of colocynth for low-back pain management.In conclusion, we have proposed a new use of Citrullus colocynthis for management of low-back pain and sciatica according to the evidences from Persian medicine. According to current literature survey, no study has yet investigated or suggested the usage of Citrullus colocynthis for low-back pain management. Further laboratory and clinical studies are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of this plant or its components in low-back pain and sciatica management.

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.

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.

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.