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Introduction: Many studies have been done on the use of aloe vera in wound healing, but fewer studies were done on the influence of this material on the reduction of the alar scar. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of a newly made aloe vera cream on alar wound healing after rhinoplasty. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, double-arm, parallel-group, double-blind controlled trial and was done from June 2021 to February 2022. External wedge resection was done for all patients. The patients were randomly assigned to receive aloe vera cream (n=31) (intervention group) or Face Doux cream (comparison group) (n = 29). A pharmacist prepared the aloe vera cream. The primary outcome measure was the wound scar status which was assessed by two Questionnaires, including the mean Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Randomization and Blinding were done. Results: The mean PSAQ was significantly lower in group A after two weeks (26.9 versus 31.5, P<0.001), after two months (15.7 versus 19.6, P=0.04), and six months follow-up (8.8 versus 11.8, P=0.005). The mean VSS was significantly lower in group A after two weeks (5.6 versus 7.1, P=0.001), after two months (3.5 versus 4.9, P=0.002), and six months (1.2 versus 2.7, P<0.001). Repeated measurement analysis showed that both interventions significantly affected PSAQ and VSS. Conclusion: Although both interventions had a significant effect on PSAQ and VSS, compared to Face Duox, the topical use of Aloe Vera cream significantly reduced scar formation after alar resection, both statistically and clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infraorbital hyperpigmentation represents one of the most prevalent conditions in cosmetic dermatology. To treat this condition, many patients prefer natural remedies. This study explored the efficacy of topical castor oil cream in treating patients with infraorbital hyperpigmentation. Methods: We conducted an exploratory single‐arm clinical trial at the Shahid Faghihi Dermatology Clinic and Molecular Dermatology Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during 2021–2022. Using the convenience sampling method, we enrolled 25 patients with infraorbital hyperpigmentation. We instructed the patients to apply topical castor oil cream twice daily for 2 months. The darkness, melanin, and erythema levels were evaluated by VisioFace® 1000 D and SkinColorCatch® devices. We used a visual analog scale to assess skin laxity, wrinkles, and patient satisfaction. Data analysis was done with Stata version 14.2. Results: The data of 22 patients with a mean age of 40.92 ± 7.33 years were analyzed. The VisioFace® scores decreased significantly by the end of the study [right eyes: mean difference (MD): ‐5.63 (95% CI: −7.12 to −4.15), p < 0.001; left eyes: MD: ‐5.91 (95% CI: −7.46 to −4.36), p < 0.001]. Moreover, castor oil cream significantly reduced the melanin level, wrinkles, and skin laxity in the infraorbital region (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Castor oil cream seems to be an effective alternative for treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 10%-15% of the world's population suffers from kidney stones. Nearly 50% increase was observed in diagnosing and treating nephrolithiasis in the last decades. Effective medical treatment for the disease is not yet well established. Moreover, there is an increasing global demand to manage diseases using complementary and alternative medicine. This study aimed to formulate and assess the safety and efficacy of a multi-ingredient formulation from traditional Persian medicine (TPM) known as Mofatet powder in patients suffering from calcium kidney stones. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of Mofatet powder was prepared, freeze-dried, and formulated as capsules. 26 patients in the drug group and 25 patients in the placebo group used 500 mg capsules of the drug/placebo twice daily for 5 weeks. Ultrasonography/kidney, ureter and bladder imaging, urine analysis, and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: The imaging results showed a 60.73% decrease (P < 0.001) in stone size in the drug group. Moreover, the urinary calcium decreased (P = 0.02) and the urinary magnesium increased (P < 0.001) in the drug group. No remarkable changes were observed in the placebo group in these parameters. No significant effect was observed in aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels in none of the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that Mofatet powder was effective in reducing calcium kidney stones size with no potential nephro/hepatotoxicity. After confirming these results in larger clinical trials with longer duration, this formulation can be considered a treatment for nephrolithiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The standard treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma is post-surgical radioiodine ablation; however, salivary gland damage is prevalent. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM) aerial part essential oil in protecting salivary glands from post-radioiodine therapy damage in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 24 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer were randomly allocated to two groups: 11 patients in the ZM essential oil group and 13 in the placebo group. Patients in the intervention and placebo groups received 20 oral drops three times a day of ZM essential oil or placebo respectively, starting from one week before radioiodine therapy to 4 weeks afterward. Salivary gland function was assessed using scintigraphic parameters before and six months following radioiodine therapy. Results: Follow-up scintigraphy demonstrated significant decrease in parotid UI in the placebo group (P=0.032) while significant increase in UI (P=0.025) and EF (P=0.042) of the parotid was observed in the ZM group. Comparing changes in functional indices of salivary glands between the two groups after six months revealed significantly better function in parotid UI (P=0.005) and parotid EF (P=0.006) in the ZM group. Substantial damage to parotid UI was significantly less in the ZM group (P=0.044). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated that administration of ZM essential oil to patients with differentiated thyroid cancer may protect the salivary glands from radioiodine injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a comprehensive and dynamic school, traditional Persian medicine is a collection of theoretical and practical sciences that Iranian scholars have used in different centuries to prevent and treat diseases and maintain health.Persian medical books refer to the benefits of Khadab and its preventive and therapeutic recommendations. One of the leading physicians is the Hakim Seyyed Isma’il Jurjani, who has discussed the effective combination of products in making Khadab and talks about the effects of Khadab on the beauty, health and strong hair. The use of Khadab is an ancient form of treatment in Iran. In fact, the employment of Khadab is a perfectly natural process used to improve skin and hair health and heal ailments. This study examines the prescriptions and combinations related to the types of Khadab and Hakim Seyyed Isma’il Jurjani’s recommendation on Khadab in Persian medicine. According to Hakim Jurjani, Khadabs are classified into several categories: those that turn hair into black, those that turn hair into red, tan or gold, and those that whiten hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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). It's important to point out that TM therapy is distinguished by its comprehensive, customized, multifaceted approach that targets multiple components, pathways, and objectives. A new concept called "network target" has been proposed to investigate the biological foundation of TM in a systematic manner. This concept is based on the multi-target approach of TM and represents a shift from the prevailing research paradigm, which focuses on single targets. There is currently a growing interest in network pharmacology as it relates to TM (1). By combining experimental research, network pharmacology plays a critical role in driving innovation and advancement in the field of TM. The integration of network pharmacology with TM is seen as valuable in offering insights into the mechanisms of TM and supporting clinical practice (1). It has been found that many diseases, such as hypertension, are most effectively treated through the use of multiple drugs or targeting multiple factors simultaneously (11). Indeed, the prevalence of complex diseases poses a serious threat to human health. Drug discovery strategies that rely on single genes, drugs, and targets are inadequate in addressing complex diseases. Consequently, the development of novel multicomponent drugs for management of complex diseases is crucial. A significant scientific challenge in this pursuit is the establishment of an appropriate solution for drug group-target protein network analysis. Herbal medicines, which have served as the foundation of sophisticated TM systems, have yielded several essential drugs that are still consumed today (12). AI-powered methods (e.g. machine learning and deep learning) have the ability to connect various aspects of TM such as chemical composition, targets, and diseases. Essentially, AI offers novel approaches to examining ancient literature on TM, facilitating the identification of key components in herbs or formulas, elucidating the mechanisms of action to guide the precise application of TM (3). By analyzing network characteristics and conducting literature mining, possible synergistic mechanisms and effective multi-components can tentatively be identified. This study suggests that this approach can serve as an effective strategy for discovery of active substances and elucidating their pharmacological mechanisms in TM (13). Integrating the strengths of both modern and traditional medicine into a unified integrative medicine has the potential to benefit patients around the world (5). The recent progress in phytochemistry, DNA sequencing, high throughput screening, bioinformatics, and systems biology has facilitated the exploration of the chemical composition and molecular mechanisms of TM, thereby providing insights into the early stages of drug discovery. As a result, there is potential for a renaissance in multi-component drug discovery, fueled by the inspiration of TM (11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim is to assess the effect of cinnamon powder capsules on insulin resistance, anthropometric measurements, glucose and lipid profiles, and androgens of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Out of 80 women that were diagnosed as PCOS by Rotterdam Criteria, 66 were enrolled in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. All of the PCOS women were taking medroxy progesterone acetate 10 mg/day for the last 10 days of their menstrual cycles. The cases were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The women in the first group were treated by cinnamon powder capsules 1.5 g/day in 3 divided doses for 12 weeks and the second group by similar placebo capsules. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, blood glucose 2 hr after taking 75 g oral glucose, HbA1c, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, triglyceride, and cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and total) before and after the intervention were evaluated and compared as outcome measures. Fasting insulin (p = .024) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p = .014) were reduced after 12 weeks in the cinnamon group compared with the placebo. There was also a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein in cinnamon group (p = .004) as compared with baseline that caused significant difference with placebo (p = .049). However, changes in other outcome measurements did not lead to statistically significant difference with placebo. The present results suggest that complementary supplementation of cinnamon significantly reduced fasting insulin and insulin resistance in women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Anorexia and impaired appetite (Dysorexia) are common symptoms with varying causes, and often need no serious medical intervention. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic psychiatric disease with a high mortality rate. In Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), anorexia is a condition in which anorexic patients lose appetite due to dystemperament. This review aims to discuss the common points of traditional and conventional approaches rather than introducing Persian medical recommendations suitable for nowadays use. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, Avicenna's Canon of Medicine, main TPM resources and important databases were reviewed using the related keywords. Results: Despite complex hormonal explanation, etiology of AN in conventional approach is not completely understood. In TPM approach, the etiology and recommended interventions are thoroughly defined based on humoral pathophysiology. In TPM approach, disease states are regarded as the result of imbalances in organs' temperament and humors. In anorexia with simple dystemperament, the physician should attempt to balance the temperament using foods and medicaments which have opposite quality of temperament. Lifestyle, spiritual diseases (neuro - psychological) and gastrointestinal worms are the other causes for reducing appetite. Also, medicines and foods with warm temperaments (such as Pea soup and Mustard) are useful for these patients (cold temperament). Conclusion: Although the pathophysiology of AN in TPM is different in comparison with conventional views, TPM criteria for treatment this disorder is similar to those of current medicine. Recommending to have spiritual support and a healthy lifestyle are common in both views. Simple safe interventions recommended by TPM may be considered as alternative medical modalities after being confirmed by well-designed clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-known history of hypertension research in the modern era, like many other cardiovascular concepts, main points in the medieval concept of this disease and its early management methods remain obscure. This article attempts to make a brief review on the medieval origin of the concept of this disease from the Hidāyat of Al-Akhawayni (?-983 AD). This article has reviewed the chapter of "Fi al-Imtela" (About the Fullness) from the Hidāyat al-Muta'allimin fi al-Tibb (The Students' Handbook of Medicine) of Al-Akhawayni. The definition, symptoms and treatments presented for the Imtela are compared with the current knowledge on hypertension. Akhawayni believed that Imtela could result from the excessive amount of blood within the blood vessels. It can manifest with symptoms including the presence of a pulsus magnus, sleepiness, weakness, dyspnea, facial blushing, engorgement of the vessels, thick urine, vascular rupture, and hemorrhagic stroke. He also suggested some ways to manage al-Imtela'. These include recommendations of changes in lifestyle (staying away from anger and sexual intercourse) and dietary program for patients (avoiding the consumption of wine, meat, and pastries, reducing the volume of food in a meal, maintaining a low-energy diet and the dietary usage of spinach and vinegar). Al-Akhawayni's description of "Imtela," despite of its numerous differences with current knowledge of hypertension, can be considered as medieval origin of the concept of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common ulcerative disease that affects oral mucosa. The coating agents, topical analgesics, and topical steroids are usually used as treatment methods. Glycyrrhiza glabra has been used for RAS treatment based on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, a systemic review on the therapeutic effect of topical licorice on RAS management was performed. Methods: Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane databases, PubMed Google Scholar, and ResearchGate were searched up to September 2021 to find all English randomized clinical trials studying the effect of G. glabra, or its compositions on RAS. Meta-analysis was not conducted because of data heterogeneity. Articles were reviewed qualitatively, and only those with a Jadad score ≥3 were included. Animal studies, in vitro, review papers, non-English papers, and case reports were excluded. Results: Six studies with 314 subjects were included after screening. The result showed licorice has significant effects on RAS pain reduction, ulcer size, and healing time. Its effectiveness is related to its dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through several mechanisms. It also has antibacterial effects against Streptococci mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis as another mechanism of action in RAS treatment. In addition, licorice can elevate the epidermal growth factor (EGF) level compared to the control group, which has an essential role in oral mucosal tissue integrity. Conclusion: Licorice extract has been used in different dosage forms, including paste, patch, and mouthwash with concentrations of 1% or 5%. The healing time after licorice therapy is expected to be within 4-8 days. Licorice did not show any adverse effect in the intervention groups, indicating its effectiveness and safety in RAS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Familiarizing students with knowledge-based businesses is one of the goals emphasized in the developed educational systems worldwide. This study aimed to design a startup-based learning model )SBL(. Methods: As a qualitative research study, startup teams were formed by the pharmacy students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2020. This model was used to train 120 students as pharmaceutical entrepreneurs through related lectures, simulations, and field activities. We employed this model for students to become familiar with the various stages of examining market needs, knowledge-based company registration, intellectual property, logo design, and even pharmaceutical product development. Students' feedback was assessed with a questionnaire designed by the team of researchers, and its results were used to analyze the course and improve the quality of the proposed model. Results: Most of the studied indices revealed that the students rated this model as good or excellent. Satisfaction with more important indices includes student creativity and ideation in educational activity (60.7%), attractive presentation (60.4%), teamwork among learners (62.2%), appropriateness of evaluation method (65.4%), understanding how to make herbal remedies (49.1%), learner participation in the educational activity (74.8%), entrepreneurial motivation (60.7%), and applicability (64.4%). Conclusion: We found this model effective in boosting students' satisfaction, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Lecturers also play a facilitator role in addition to specialized training. Therefore, in this model, both lecturers and students can grow more and make education more attractive. This study, for the first time, demonstrated that SBL could be applied in education systems and make the students more interested in educational content and help them to prepare for the job market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bum wound infection and sepsis are serious medical conditions requiring prompt intervention. Plants are a good natural source for the development of novel, safe, and cost- effective antibacterial agents. The objective of the present study was to assess the antibacterial potential of aqueous, chloroform, and methanol extracts of the Prunus scoparia (P. scoparia) root against the most common burn wound pathogens. Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran) during 2018-2019. The antibacterial activity of the total plant extract was assayed using the broth microdilution method. Fractionation was performed using a separation funnel and solvents with different polarities. Broth microdilution and agar well diffusion assays were performed to determine the antibacterial potential of the obtained fractions. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analyses were performed to confirm the presence of secondary metabolites in both the total extract and the fractions. Results: Methanolic extract of P scoparia root exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains, especially against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. This extract, compared to the aqueous and chloroformic extracts, exhibited the presence of active antibacterial compounds. The quantitative and qualitative results of phytochemical screening showed that phenols and flavonoids were the main antibacterial compounds in the methanolic extract of the plant. Conclusion: For the first time, we demonstrated the antibacterial activity of the P scoparia root against MRSA isolates and other common burn wound pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a prevalent inflammatory disease affecting almost 0.5-5 % of the world population. Multiple treatment approaches have been developed to manage psoriasis so far. Although concerns exist in the long-term usage of conventional and biological agents in terms of safety, effectiveness, expensiveness, and tolerability, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a promising point of view for future psoriasis management. In this study, databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched for relevant literature on herbal medications clinically evaluated for psoriasis, especially those originating from traditional medicine. About 40 relevant papers were selected by March 2023. Most of the studies were clinical trials on poly-herbal formulations from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There are controversial results regarding the efficacy of these herbal formulations in psoriasis mainly due to the variation in the study design. Moreover, the probable protective mechanisms and responsible herbal metabolites of these formulations are summarized. There is a global need for more in-vitro and in-vivo studies based on the standard protocols in terms of the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of topical/ systemic herbal preparations for psoriasis., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Febrile neutropenia is a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy that can result in delays in treatment. This study evaluates the efficacy of A. ampeloprasum L. at neutrophil recovery time in children with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia., Methods: This single-center, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted at an oncology hospital. Patients selected among childhood cancers with febrile neutropenia. Overall, 97 febrile neutropenic children were enrolled. The intervention group (n=49) was given A. ampeloprasum L. in capsules (500 mg twice daily) for seven days plus supportive care. The control group (n=48) was treated similarly with supportive care and placebo capsules. Total white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) were checked daily and neutrophil recovery time in both groups was compared., Results: Patients in the intervention group experienced shorter neutrophil recovery compared to the control group (4.02 ± 2.32 days vs. 6.38 ± 2.80 days, respectively, P less than 0.001). The intervention group was discharged from the hospital earlier than the control group with a mean of two days, but it did not reach statistical significance (P=0.133). Mean WBC and ANC were not significantly different in the two groups. Herbal medicine was well tolerated, and no adverse effect was reported., Conclusions: A fresh, lyophilized extract from deciduous leaves of A. ampeloprasum L. can effectively shorten the ANC recovery time leading to an earlier release from the hospital. The trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with registration No. IRCT2015051615666N2 (http://www.irct.ir/)., Competing Interests: None., (AJBR Copyright © 2023.)

Spirulina or Arthrospira, a Cyanobacterium from the class Cyanophyceae, with a wide range of properties, has been applied for over 400 years. The present study aimed to review available investigations surrounding the clinical and pharmacological properties of Spirulina that have been carried out so far. Databases including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched for relevant literature using the keywords: (Spirulina), (pharmacology), and (clinical). About 130 papers that studied the pharmacological characteristics of Spirulina in animal models, as well as clinical trials, were selected from the beginning to 29 July 2021. According to this review, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, hypolipidemic, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic, and radio-protective functions are attributed to Spirulina. Moreover, Spirulina's positive influence on several organs, including hair, skin, liver, CNS, lung, and genitourinary tract, are ascribed to different components of various species of Spirulina such as Spirulina platensis, Spirulina fusiformis, and Spirulina maxima. Although so many studies have been accomplished on every aspect of Spirulina in recent years, the lack of a comprehensive investigation surrounding this microalga encouraged us to prepare this paper. Therefore, the present study could be considered an up-to-date overview of the clinical, pharmacological, and molecular aspects of Spirulina, resulting in more occupational research on this valuable organism., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has rapidly spread worldwide and has been infected more than 219 million individuals with 4.55 million deaths worldwide as of September 2021, causing a pandemic. Preexisting cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease seem to be associated with greater severity of infection, worse prognosis, and higher mortality. Moreover, COVID-19 can contribute to CV complications, including acute myocardial injury, arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, and venous thromboembolism, emphasizing the importance of precocious detection and implementation of optimal therapeutic strategies. This review provides an overview of evidence-based data of CV complications of COVID-19, focusing on their management strategies, as well as potential cardiac adverse effects and drug interactions, due to off-label and investigational drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.