Evaluation of the effect of Nigella sativa oil on the outcome of missed abortion in women: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Background and Aim: Due to the concern about the side effects of chemical drugs and their ineffectiveness, the use of natural compounds as alternatives or complementary therapies has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil on the outcome of missed abortion. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 70 nulliparous pregnant women referred to Hajar Hospital and Imam Ali clinics of Shahrekord and had missed abortion before the 12-week gestational age were selected and randomly divided into two interventions and control groups. The intervention group received 5 g of Nigella sativa oil alone daily for up to 3 days and the control group received a placebo. In case of nonresponse, 3 days after the last dose of medication or placebo, 800 µg of misoprostol (vaginal) were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test and paired t-test were used for analytical statistics. Results: According to the results, 18 cases (51.4%) in the intervention group and seven cases (20%) in the control group showed complete evacuation of uterine contents which had a significant difference (p < 0.05). The frequency of vagina physical examination and type of hemorrhage did not show any significant difference between the two groups before and after the intervention. After the intervention, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was significantly decreased in the intervention group but did not change in the control group (p < 0.05). The frequency of adverse events in the intervention group was three (8.6%) and in the control group was one (2.9%) which had no significant difference. Conclusion: Nigella sativa improves the outcome of missed abortion by reducing HCG and facilitating cervix dilatation and delivery of uterine contents.

Efficacy and safety of "Jollab Monzej" as a traditional persian compound medicine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Jollab monzej (JMZ), a Traditional Persian compound medicine, on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue (MSRF). Methods: We did a double-blind randomized controlled phase3 clinical trial on the JMZ syrup in fifty-six relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients aged 18-55 years with moderate to severe fatigue using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 6. We randomly assigned (1;1) participants to the JMZ syrup or placebo syrup groups treated for one month. Participants, investigators, and assessors were unaware of the assignments. The primary outcome was changes in the fatigue score on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), at baseline and one month after treatment using the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. The secondary outcomes were changes in the score of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Outcomes were measured at baseline, one month after treatment, and 2-week follow-up. Safety was detected in all participants. Results: We randomly assigned 56 participants to the JMZ group (n=28) and placebo group (n=28). Fatigue scores significantly changed in both groups; however, the JMZ group had a greater reduction in FSS score in the ITT analysis. The adjusted mean difference was 8.80 (Confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.90-14.70, P = 0.00). The mean difference of VAS, BDI, and global PSQI scores were statistically significant (P=0.01, P₌0.00, P₌0.01; respectively). Regarding safety, mild adverse events (AEs) were reported. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the administration of JMZ syrup alleviated MSRF and also could improve depression and sleep disorders.

Major and minor criteria for gastric dystemperaments in Persian Medicine: Sari gastric dystemperament criteria-I (SGDC-I).

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

A Historical Review of Persian Medicine Studies into Saliva Manifestations for Potential Applications for Diagnosis and Management of Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Regarding the development of diagnostic tests based on saliva and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), the aim of this study is to review Persian Medicine manuscripts in the field of saliva manifestations, its relation to metabolic syndrome, and treatment recommendations. METHODS: This study is a mini-review. We investigated the canon of medicine and some important Persian medical or pharmaceutical manuscripts from the 9th to the 19th centuries. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were explored for finding relevant information about the relationship between saliva and metabolic syndrome and its treatment. RESULTS: Studies have suggested that maldigestion is one of the important causes of MetS. Sialorrhea may be an early symptom of maldigestion. Attention to sialorrhea and its treatment may be useful in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome based on PM sources. In PM, sialorrhea is treated with 3 major approaches: lifestyle modification along with simple or compound medicines. CONCLUSION: Saliva manifestations could be considered as early symptoms of metabolic syndrome. As mentioned in WHO strategies, traditional medicine can be used along with modern medicine due to its effectiveness in the management of various ailments.

Proteomics Approaches Shed New Light on Traditional Iranian Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Until now, Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) had been extensively based on Iranian philosophy in theoretical approach in diagnosis and treatment, with doubts on academic medicine. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of temperaments, herbal standardization, and quality control had been with the obscurity of functional molecules and their action mechanisms. Proteomics is a potent board to the mechanistic investigation of ITM and has been comprehensively applied profile drug-regulated proteins. In this review, we assessed the application of this modern molecular biological method in the identification of temperaments and drug targets of ITM. METHODS: All available studies related to proteomics in traditional medicine, alternative and complementary medicine, including books, journals, and other references were studied and assessed. RESULTS: The present review showed the phenotypes of the various temperaments in healthy individuals, that is to say, same proteins with different dynamic properties. Therefore, the usefulness of proteomics seems authoritative to understand the means by which the molecular pathways protected in ITM. This might be also the key clinical viewpoint on this new approach for enabling the integration of Iranian traditional medicine and modern biological science and technology, as well for upholding the internationalization of ITM. CONCLUSION: Proteomics, as a powerful tool for systems biology, is an essential research methodology for understanding the mechanisms of traditional medicine. Further investigation on the applications of advanced proteomics in temperaments, herbal standardization, and quality control in ITM is recommended.

Role of Nutrition in Children Growth in View of Traditional Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Growth and development are the basic science in pediatric medicine. Growth disorder in children is one of the important health problems in the world, especially in developing countries. Regardless of the underlying disease, as the main cause of growth disorders, assessment and correction of nutritional status of these children are very important. Given the fundamental importance of this issue and ascending tendency to use complementary medicine in the world, this article discusses the traditional Iranian philosopher's views on the role of nutrition in child development. METHODS: This study reviews textbooks of traditional medicine, particularly in the field of pediatric medicine with a focus on Canon of Medicine of Avicenna. RESULTS: Temperament is the physiological concept of the human body in traditional medicine and has an important role in health, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Generally, children are born with warm and wet temperament that provides the best condition for growth. However, the personal temperament of each child determines growth, the need for a variety of food groups, and even physical activity. Different appetite and food preferences in children show temperamental variation. Therefore, children need special management regarding special temperament. In Iranian traditional medicine, special lifestyle orders are discussed in detail according to these differentiations and nutritional management is the most important factor considered. CONCLUSION: In spite of advances in classical medicine in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, there are still a lot of therapeutic challenges in many health problems. Temperamental approach to the human body in traditional medicine provides a different perspective on the medicine. Reflecting on temperamental view in child development may lead to a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. On the other hand, further research studies based on the reform of nutrition with respect to temperament should be considered as a new strategy in the management of developmental disorders.

Spinal Traumas and their Treatments According to Avicenna's Canon of Medicine.

Spinal Traumas have been categorized as disabling diseases that cause irretrievable personal and social problems. Having conducted a rather comprehensive diagnosis of the anatomy of the backbone and spinal cord as well as their functions, Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980-1037) stated the levels and kinds of spinal impairments that are caused by spinal traumas in his great masterpiece Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine). He also based his treatment process on his etiological diagnosis of such impairments. Avicenna had used the following methods to treat spinal traumas: food and drug therapy and regimental therapies such as massage, phlebotomy, cupping, dry sauna, and surgery. The authors of the present article review the bases of Avicenna's viewpoints regarding spinal traumas and their treatment.