The Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine on Botanicals Effective in Quitting Opium Addiction: A Review

Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) is a set of theoretical and practical sciences that are used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of physical, mental, or social disorders. This holistic medical system can provide solutions for some diseases, including drug addiction, that modern medicine, only offers symptomatic treatment. Since the addiction prevalence in the 16th century, Persian medicine scholars have introduced various ways to quit it. In this study, we investigated if Persian medicine has treatment options to quit opium addiction. We studied the main textbooks of TPM that specifically talked about addiction. Our study was conducted according to a systematic prioritization in traditional medicine. Additionally, scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar searched for plant active ingredients in current pharmacology. By this method, forty-nine drugs were found, and nine drugs with herbal origin obtained the highest score in addiction treatment. Since the main purpose of the study is finding new drugs theoretically effective in quitting opium addiction; we sought to find evidence of that effectiveness in modern pharmacology and we found them in most prioritized drugs. Prioritizing traditional drugs can lead to find new drugs which also have evidence of effectiveness in modern studies. Therefore, they could be introduced as novel natural remedies for disease. The list of drugs obtained in this study can be the basis for conducting in vitro and in vivo studies for design and development of new drugs in the treatment of opium addiction. In fact, traditional medicine could have a special place in quitting opium addiction, and this capacity should be further exploited.

A Telecare System for Use in Traditional Persian Medicine

Background: In Persian Medicine (PM), measuring the wrist temperature/humidity and pulse is one of the main methods for determining a person's health status and temperament. An important problem is the dependence of the diagnosis on the physician's interpretation of the above-mentioned criteria. Perhaps this is one reason why this method has yet to be combined with modern medical methods. Also, sometimes there is a need to use PM to diagnose patients remotely, especially during a pandemic. This brings up the question of how to implement PM into a telecare system. This study addresses these concerns and outlines a system for measuring pulse signals and temperament detection based on PM. Methods: A system was designed and clinically implemented based on PM that uses data from recorded thermal distribution, a temperament questionnaire, and a customized device that logs the pulse waves on the wrist. This system was used for patient care via telecare. Results: The temperaments of 34 participants were assessed by a PM specialist using the standardized Mojahedi Mizaj Questionnaire (MMQ). Thermal images of the wrist in the supine position (named Malmas in PM), the back of the hand, and the entire face were also recorded under the supervision of the physician. Also, the wrist pulse waves were evaluated by a customized pulse measurement device. Finally, the collected data could be sent to a physician via a telecare system for further interpretation and prescription of medications. Conclusion: This preliminary study focused on the implementation of a combinational hardware-software system for patient assessment based on PM. It appears that the design and construction of a customized device that can measure the pulse waves, and some other criteria, according to PM, is possible and can decrease the dependency of the diagnostic to PM specialists. Thus, it can be incorporated into a telemedicine system.

Medicinal Plants with Abortifacient or Emmenagogue Activity: A Narrative Review Based on Traditional Persian Medicine

Introduction: Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) has a rich background and has introduced various plants with abortive or emmenagogue activity since ancient times. However, many of them are unknown in modern medicine, and a few trials have been conducted describing their efficacy and safety. These plants may be helpful for the management of incomplete abortion, with potentially lower side effects than chemical agents. Objectives: This review introduced these plants and their potential efficiency to link traditional and modern medicine and suggested further studies. Methods: The search strategy for citations in this narrative review was performed in two steps. At first, medicinal plants used as abortifacient or emmenagogue to manage incomplete abortions or retained products of conception were searched and extracted in the most famous TPM literature, including Al-Qanun Fi at-Tibb, Tuhfat-al-Momenin, and Makhzan-ul-advia. The next step was searching electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with the same keywords and herbal plants between 1970 and 2021. The overlapped plants between the manual and electronic search were found and briefly described. Results: In TPM literature, 88 plants with abortifacient activity were found, of which 47 were used to manage incomplete abortions or retained products of conception. Also, in the electronic database search, 14 plants were found to have abortifacient or emmenagogue activity. Among them, six plants, including Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame), Commiphora myrrha (myrrh), Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna), Opopanax chironium L. (Jooshir), Plumbago rosea (Shitraj or Stumbag), and Juniperus sabina (Abhal), overlapped with the manual search results. The abortifacient or emmenagogue activity and properties of all these 14 plants were described. Conclusions: The properties of many traditional plants with abortifacient activity are unknown in modern medicine; however, they should not be used in pregnant women. Nonetheless, they may have the power to be entered into modern medicine. Identifying their pharmacology and action mechanisms may be helpful to introduce them as a potential alternative to chemical agents in the management of induced or incomplete abortion with possibly lower side effects.

An Investigation on the Properties of Zingiber officinale Rose and Its Application in Nutrition and Medicine Based on Scientific and Islamic Texts

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Rose (ginger) has been used for many purposes in traditional medicine since 2500 years ago. This study intends to introduce the ginger plant, some of their applications in the field of human health in traditional and modern medicine, and their conformity with Islamic and Quranic findings. Material and Methods: Administrative and therapeutic information of ginger plant has been searched in related and valid books, scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Ginger keyword has been searched in the Quran and hadiths and its medicinal and pharmacological properties; also in traditional Persian medicine and laboratory studies, the day, was collected from published articles. In order to confirm the obtained information, it was matched with Quranic and narration versions, and the obtained information was analyzed, compiled, and presented. Results: Avicenna has mentioned the positive effects of ginger in his Canon of Medicine. The Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health in Iran has also introduced ginger as a dietary supplement. Ginger is one of those plants which name is mentioned in the Quran, in verse 17 of Surah Al-Insan. In narrations and quoting scientists as well as in modern medicine and articles, the effects and application of this plant in the field of medicine and nutrition have been mentioned. Conclusion: The results have shown that the use of ginger in nutrition as a spice or supplement and in Persian medicine as a medicament has a scientific and practical basis, and studies on this issue are confirmed both in science and Islam. Findings obtained from laboratory and clinical studies can also be effective in the proper use and preparation of appropriate medicinal forms of this plant.

Nephrotonic and Nephroprotective medicinal herbs in traditional Persian Medicine: Review and assessment of scientific evidence

: The tendency to use herbal and complementary therapies has been increased dramatically in last decades. The aim of this study is reviewing nephrotonic and nephroprotective medicinal herbs in traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) historical books, and assessment of relevant scientific evidence and possible mechanisms of action. In this study, seven major references among pharmaceutical books of PM from the 11th to 19th centuries were selected and were searched with key words equivalent to “nephroprotection”. To find new studies, the scientific name of medicinal herbs which were repeated twice or more were searched using data bases including PubMed, and Google scholar with keywords of nephroprotective, renal disorder, renal failure and kidney. Also, probable effective mechanisms were explored with key words including oxidative stress, antioxidant, inflammation, anti-inflammatory and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor. 210 herbal remedies were found with kidney strengthening, nephroprotective, and atrophy prevention effects in reviewed books. The most repeated herbs were 41 Results of scientific evidence showed that the possible functional mechanisms of these plants include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, blood pressure/glucose-lowering effect as well as improvement of glomerular filtration, prevention of tissue damage, and enhancing the reconstructive power of cells. The list of medicinal herbs in this study can be used as a base of future studies on production of new medicines for prevention or treatment of renal failure and for the enhancement of renal performance.

The Role of Diet and Medicinal Herbs for Management of Sjögren’s Syndrome in Traditional Persian Medicine

The article's abstract is not available.

Conceptual Relationship Between Traditional Persian Medicine and Modern Nutrition in Obesity in Middle Age

Context: Over the last decades, the prevalence of overweight (BMI > 25) and obesity (BMI > 30) is being the most important health challenge in urban populations. The relationship between obesity and the individual’s temperament has not been studied yet. Evidence Acquisition: This review aimed to study the causes of obesity, especially in middle-aged people, according to the new evidence of conventional medicine and findings of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) physicians cited in their books. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Iran Medex were also searched with keywords obesity and overweight for recent evidence in conventional medicine. Results: Based on the traditional medicine findings, dystemprament or disequilibrium in Mizaj may promote obesity in middle-aged and elderly people. The attenuation of innate heat and intrinsic moisture in middle age could increase the chance of overweight and obesity. Recent studies in modern nutrition reveal a linear relationship between diminishing the basal metabolic rate and increasing age, especially in middle age. Accordingly, cold/wet-tempered people have more efficient energy homeostasis than hot/dry-tempered people that is similar to individuals with Firmicutes gut microbiota predominance. People living in high altitudes and cold-dry climates maintain their innate heat better than people living in wet climates, which is in accordance with the increasing brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in cold exposure, which decreases the chance of obesity. Conclusions: Based on traditional Persian medicine school, it is hypothesized that increasing age and diminishing innate heat besides the accumulation of phlegm (moisture) in the gastrointestinal tract of middle-aged individuals may be influential in altering gut microbiota and consequently obesity. It seems that there may be a correlation between cold/wet Mizaj and risk factors of obesity.

Factors Affecting Tendency and Adherence to Traditional Persian Medicine: A Qualitative Study

Background: Adherence to medications is crucial for them to be effective. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is an ancient medical discipline originated from old Persia and is currently used along with modern medicine in Iran. Evaluating the factors affecting adherence to TPM can have far-reaching implications for policymakers to make informed decisions. Objectives: This qualitative study investigates the factors affecting tendency and adherence to TPM among Iranians. Methods: We collected data from stakeholders in TPM using a focus group involving 13 participants and by conducting four in-depth interviews. The saturation point was reached at the 4th interview. We recorded all the interviews and then transcribed them verbatim for thematic content analysis. Results: We obtained 297 codes and 29 sub-themes for the factors affecting adherence to TPM, including the factors affecting compliance and tendency. Then we extracted the main themes. People’s beliefs, the inherent characteristics of traditional medicine and its status quo, attempts to bring about positive changes to TPM, and the problems facing the modern health system were the main factors affecting adherence to TPM. Conclusions: Despite many strenuous efforts in Iran to study TPM along with the lines of evidence-based medicine, policymaking, financing, patients’ and healthcare providers’ education, popular beliefs, and administrative transparency are needed to be addressed more adequately to promote adherence to TPM and help build integrative medicine in Iran’s healthcare system.