روشنک سالاری

Pregnancy striae are a kind of physiological skin scar during pregnancy. Pregnancy striae can damage women's beauty and cause problems; therefore, researchers have always been looking for solutions to prevent and solve this problem. Since the effect of pistacia atlantica ointment on the prevention of intensity of pregnancy striae has not been evaulated so far, the present study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of pistacia atlantica ointment on the prevention of intensity of pregnancy striae in primiparous women.

This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted in 2023- 2024 on 70 primiparous women who had referred to Hazrat Abulfazl and Imam Sajjad health centers in Zahedan city. The research units were placed in two intervention and placebo groups. The intervention and control groups applied pistacia atlantica ointment and ointment containing the placebo. In the fourth and eighth weeks after the intervention, the samples were evaluated for striae severity based on the method used by Davy. The data collection tools included demographic and midwifery information questionnaire, Davi's checklist, complications and satisfaction of the study questionnaire, and study process checklist. Data analysis was done by SPSS statistical software (version 24) and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.

The intragroup comparison showed that the mean of pregnancy striae severity score before the intervention was 1.37 ± 1.55 in the intervention group and 1.66 ± 1.85 in the placebo group; Mann-Whitney test did not show this difference to be significant (p=0.444). Also, the findings showed that after the intervention, the mean of pregnancy striae severity score was 0.26±0.56 in the intervention group and 1.46 ± 1.46 in the placebo group; Mann-Whitney test showed this difference to be significant (p=0.001). The Wilcoxon test indicated no difference between pretest and post-test scores in the placebo group (P=0.202) and a decrease in striae severity score in the intervention group (p<0.006).

The pistacia atlantica ointment reduces the score of pregnancy striae severity in pregnant women.

Postpartum grief and depression is a common mental disorder. Many studies that have been conducted in the field of complementary and alternative treatments for mood disorders show that there is a greater acceptance of non-medicinal compounds. The aim of the present study is to review nutritional supplements in the prevention of postpartum depression and grief.

This review study, in order to find related studies, PubMed, Magiran, SID, Cochrane, SIS, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar databases using the keywords prevention, prevention of depression, postpartum depression. , nutritional supplements, postpartum depression and its combination with AND and OR operators were searched in Persian and English languages from 1996 to 2021.

7 articles were included in this study. The results of the review of the articles showed that the use of food supplements such as aroma therapy with orange essential oil, orange spring capsule, evening primrose oil capsule, designed food supplement package, selenium supplement is effective in preventing depression and grief after childbirth, and regarding the effect of omega supplement 3- On depressed mood, the use of different protocols in the study method has led to different results in different studies.

The results of the reviewed articles in this study show that the use of food supplements in the prevention of postpartum depression and childbirth grief is moderately effective and promising, but there is still a basic need to create a food supplement with flexibility against period mood changes. There is after childbirth.

The postpartum period is the most critical period for presenting mental problems and depression. It seems that probiotics can affect mental health by changing the intestinal microbial flora; therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to determine the effectiveness of oral probiotic capsule on postpartum depression of primiparous women.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2023 on 60 qualified primiparous women who had just given birth in Mashhad. The women were placed in two groups of 30 people, drug and placebo. The drug group received one probiotic capsule daily from the third day after delivery, and the placebo group received a placebo capsule for 30 days. Edinburgh postpartum questionnaire was completed by the two groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 25) and t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and obstetric characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference between the drug and placebo groups in the mean score of depression before the intervention (p=0.809). After the intervention, the mean score of depression in the placebo group was 4.56±4.33 and in the drug group was 1.00±0.40, which had a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001).

Consuming probiotic capsules can reduce women's depression in the postpartum period.

Kidney stones are one of the most common urological diseases. Renal colic is a medical emergency due to severe pain, and the repetition of its periods greatly impacts the patient's life quality. Providing different treatments while increasing the patient's life expectancy causes changes in their lifestyle, health status, and life quality. This study aimed to evaluate the life quality of patients with kidney stones in Mashhad in 2019 with a review of Persian medicine.

The present descriptive-analytical study was performed on 96 patients. Data were collected by SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, researcher-made demographic questionnaire, and the Salmannejad temperament determination questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-16 software.

The mean age of patients was 45.6 years; the mean number of stones was 18.1± 84.1 and the mean size of stones was 12.32 ± 8.53 mm. The mean and standard deviation of patients' life quality was 369.26±98.32. The highest mean was related to the physical function dimension (82.68 ± 21.8) and the lowest mean was related to the pain dimension (52.23 ± 25.47). There was a statistically significant relationship between some dimensions of life quality with blood pressure and temperament (Mizaj) variables (p <0.05).

Several factors improve the life quality of patients with kidney stones. Paying special attention to the characteristics of patients with kidney stones and modifying the type of nutrition based on their temperament can prevent the recurrence and re-formation of kidney stones.

 Postpartum blues is a transient period of increased emotional reactivity that occurs in approximately half of women in the first week after delivery. Due to the high prevalence of postpartum blues and its adverse effects on the mother, baby, and the family, as well as the acceptance of complementary medicine and aromatherapy, especially in women, and the sedative effects of rose essential oil, the present study was performed with aim to determine the effect of aromatherapy with the rose essential oil on postpartum blues in primiparous women.

This randomized clinical trial study with a placebo group was conducted in 2022 on 65 primiparous women admitted to Omolbanin Hospital in Mashhad. The data was completed through demographic-obstetrical information form, Stein postpartum blues questionnaire and Rosenberg's social support and self-esteem scale, Paswald scale, and Rothen fatigue intensity scale. Rose essential oil was used in the intervention group, and in the placebo group, sweet almond oil was used in the same way. The postpartum blues scores were measured on the 4th, 10th, and 14th days. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 22) and Independent t-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the postpartum blues score before the intervention (P=0.246). But after intervention, the postpartum blues score in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group on the 4th, 10th, and 14th days after delivery (P<0.001).

Aromatherapy with rose essential oil was effective and safe in reducing postpartum blues in primiparous women.

Mothers with gestational diabetes and their babies are exposed to significant maternal and neonatal complications. This study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of oral capsule of aqueous alcoholic extract of red onion on blood sugar of women with gestational diabetes treated with diet.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2021-2022 on 60 women with gestational diabetes in Mashhad. Eligible mothers at 24 to 30 weeks of gestation were randomly divided into two groups of 30 people, intervention or placebo, and took 500 mg capsules of red onion extract or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. Fasting blood sugar was checked before, two weeks and four weeks after the study, and two hours after meals. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 16) and Chi-square, Independent t and Mann-Whitney tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean fasting blood sugar two and four weeks after the study (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean blood sugar two hours after a meal two and four weeks later compared to before the study (P>0.05).

Considering the effect of red onion extract in reducing fasting blood sugar in women with gestational diabetes, it is recommended to teach its use in health centers.

Cesarean section is one of the most common surgeries and is usually followed by pain. According to some studies, flaxseed oil may reduce pain. The present study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of flaxseed oil ointment on the severity of cesarean section wound pain.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2018 with participation of 120 women who had cesarean section in Imam Reza and Shahid Hasheminejad hospitals in Mashhad. Individuals were randomly assigned into to three groups (flaxseed ointment, placebo, control). In two groups of flaxseed ointment and placebo, the ointment was applied on cesarean section wound. The intensity of wound pain was measured 24 hours after surgery, 4th and 8th day after cesarean section by pain intensity Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25), and Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

According to the results of statistical tests, there was statistically significant difference between flaxseed group with control and placebo groups in terms of cesarean section wound pain intensity on days 4 and 8 after the intervention (P <0.001). In addition, in the intergroup comparison, Friedman test showed that in all three groups, the variation of pain intensity scale was significantly different in different days (P <0.001).

Regarding the reduction of pain intensity cesarean wound score after the intervention, flaxseed oil due to its effective ingredients can greatly reduce the severity of cesarean section wound pain.

One of the medical interventions in childbirth is episiotomy which is used to widen the pelvic outlet. Plantago is one of the oldest medicinal plants that have wound healing properties due to its flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The present study was performed aimed to determine the effect of plantago cream on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.

This triple-blind clinical trial study was performed in 2019 on 107 nulliparous women who had referred to Valiasr Hospital in Birjand for natural childbirth. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of placebo and drug. After delivery, mothers used 2-3 cm of prescribed cream on the sutures for 10 days and twice a day. The wound healing rate was evaluated on the third, seventh and tenth days after delivery using the Reda tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean of Reda score in the drug group was 3.433 ± 0.635 on the third day, and 0.773 ± 0.422 on the seventh day, but in the placebo group, it was 5.611 ± 0.492, 2.185 0 0.478, respectively. The two groups had significant difference on the third and seventh days in terms of wound healing (p<0.001).  The median McGill score in the drug group was 26 on the third day and 7 on the seventh day, but in the placebo group, it was 44 and 19, respectively, and the two groups had a statistically significant difference in terms of pain intensity on the third and seventh day (P<0.001)

The use of plantago cream in comparison with placebo increases the speed of improvement of pain intensity and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.

Regarding to the relationship between depression and sexual dysfunction and its negative effects on quality of life, this study was performed aimed to investigate the effect of wormwood vaginal gel on depression in women of reproductive age with sexual dysfunction.

This two-group, triple- blinds randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2021 on 76 women referred to the gynecological clinic of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad. The study tools included: Demographic Information, Female Sexual function Index (FSFI), and the DASS-21 Depression questionnaires. At first, the subjects were randomly divided into the intervention and placebo groups and used vaginal gel for 4 weeks. Sexual Function and DASS-21 questionnaires were assessed in two groups before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software) version 25) and Independent t, Mann-Whitney, Paired t, Wilcoxon and chi-square tests.  P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of total sexual function (P=0.562) and depression (P=0.140) in the intervention and placebo groups. Four weeks after the intervention, the mean score of sexual function significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group and the mean score of depression significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P<0.001). The women with moderate or mild depression before the intervention had mild or no depression after the intervention.

Wormwood gel effectively improves depression in women with mild to moderate depression and sexual dysfunction.

 Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) sources, it has a cool and moist temperament and is used for treatment of different diseases. Due to the low side effects and numerous beneficial effects of this plant, this study aims to review its therapeutic effects from the perspective of TIM and modern medicine.

In this review study, a search was conducted for the materials in many TIM books such as Canon of Medicine, Tuhfat al-Momenin, al-Jami’ li-Mufradat al-Adwiya wa’l-Aghdhiya, Al-shamel fi al-Sanaat Al-Tabiat, Makhzan al-Adawiyah, Firdaws al-Hikmah fi al-Tibb, Al-Hawi fi al-Tibb, Khulasat al-Hikmah, as well as the book “PDR for Herbal Medicines”, and for the related studies in online databases such as PubMed and Scopus using the keywords sweet violet, common viola, garden violet, herbal medicine, traditional Iranian medicine.

The medicinal forms of Viola odorata in TIM are various and are used for skin, digestive, respiratory, and urinary system diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the various therapeutic effects of the plant. According to studies in modern medicine, its constituents include volatile oils, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, mucilage, gallates, phenols, vitamin C, coumarin, and Sitosterol.

Studies in modern medicine have proven the traditional uses of Viola odorata. However, due to the strong potential of this plant for making various medicinal products from it, more research is needed.

Psychological disorders such as anxiety can increase preterm labor by hormonal stimulation, so this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium essential oil on anxiety in women at risk of preterm labor.

This two-group semi-experimental interventional study was conducted in 2020 on 65 pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery referred to the health centers in Jiroft. Eligible women who received a score of ≥10 in the Holbrook Pregnancy Screening Questionnaire and met other inclusion criteria received Citrus aurantium essential oil or placebo twice daily for two weeks. Anxiety was assessed before and after the intervention (end of the first week and end of the second week) with the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21) and independent t-test and paired t-test, analysis of variance and Friedman test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In the intervention group, changes in overt and covert anxiety scores of the stages (before, 1 week and 2 weeks after the intervention) were significant (p = 0.001), but in the placebo group, based on the results of repeated measures test, the difference between these changes between stages was not significant in the two groups of overt anxiety (p = 0.836) and covert anxiety (P = 0.575).

The use of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium led to a decrease in anxiety scores in pregnant women at risk of preterm labor. Therefore, it can be effective as an easy, cheap and non-invasive intervention in reducing the anxiety of women at risk of preterm labor.

Sexual satisfaction is a key factor in quality of life that depends on several factors including healthy, pleasant and painless sexual relations. Treatment of sexual dysfunction should be given special attention due to the impact on the relationship between couples and family stability. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia flower essence on dyspareunia and sexual satisfaction of women at reproductive age.

This three-group randomized clinical trial study was performed on 99 women referring to health centers in Mashhad in 2019-2020. The study's units were assigned into three groups. The first group used the essence for 4 weeks, 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time and the second group once only 20 minutes before intercourse as inhalation and the third group did not receive any intervention. The Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was completed before the intervention and at the end of the 4th week after the intervention in all three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean score of sexual pain after the intervention in the first intervention group was 4.3±0.8, in the second intervention group was 4.7±0.7 and in the control group was 4.0±0.8. Based on the results of the intra-group test, the intervention was significantly increased only in the second intervention group (p<0.05). The mean score of sexual satisfaction after the intervention in the first intervention group was 4.2±0.7, in the second intervention group was 4.7±0.9 and in the control group was 3.8±0.5. Based on the results of intra-group test, the intervention was significantly increased only in the second intervention group (p<0.001).

Inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia essence 20 minutes before intercourse can effectively increase sexual satisfaction by reducing pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Therefore, it can be used as an affordable herbal supplement with minimal side effects.

Background and Purpose:

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and is associated with several systemic complications, especially digestive problems. Gastroparesis is a delayed gastric emptying disorder, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. Utilizing the potentials of traditional medicine is growing day by day, which necessitates development and adaptation to modern medicine. Considering the important role of Mizaj (Temperament) in prescriptions of traditional Persian medicine, this study was designed to evaluate the Mizaj of patients with diabetic gastroparesis in order to develop treatment protocols for this gastrointestinal complication.
 

In this cross-sectional study, 56 patients with gastroparesis and 44 patients without gastroparesis as a control group were selected among the patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes over 18 years of age who referred to the clinics of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All participants were identified and confirmed by a gastroenterologist. The complication of gastroparesis was evaluated by the standard questionnaire of gastroparesis, and their Mizaj was diagnosed by Mojahedi Mizaj Questionnaire (MMQ). After assessing the normality of the data, between-group comparison was made with the chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance was analyzed with a significant level of p<0.05.
 

The results showed that warm-tempered patients with a mean of 44.29 had lower gastroparesis scores than cold-tempered patients with an average of 52.22, but this difference was not significant (p= 0.08). On the other hand, wet-tempered patients with an average of 55.77 had a higher gastroparesis score than dry-tempered patients with an average of 39.92, and this difference was significant (p= 0.001).
 

In this study, cold and wet temperament was more frequent in patients with diabetic gastroparesis.  It seems that due to the pathophysiology of gastroparesis from the perspective of Persian medicine, diabetic patients with a cold and wet temperament have a greater susceptibility to delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis.

Pruritus is one of the most common problems that is seen separately or in combination with various diseases and has been studied in various medical schools. Its various aspects including definition, pathogenesis, types and treatments have been elaborated and tailored to the basics of each medical perspective. This study investigates the pruritus from modern and Persian medicine perspective.This study is a library review focusing on the pruritus. Initially related keywords include pruritus, itching, hekka, hives and wheal was searched among the prestigious scientific and reference textbooks, journals and sites of modern and Persian medicine such as Rook's textbook of dermatology, Habif Clinical dermatology, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, Zakhireh Kharazmshahi, Teb-e-Akbari, Khulasah al-Hikmah, Kamel al-Sana'a al-Tebbiya, Exir-e A'zam, Tohfe Al-Momenin and Makhzan-al-Advie. Then the necessary material was collected and classified and finally the present article was compiled.In both medical schools, the charecteristics and function of the skin are described initially, then the causes and mechanisms of pruritus are defined and explained. To facilitate understanding and presenting the subject, appropriate classificationare presented for each view. Also, for the pruritus treatment, appropriate recommendations have been put forward for each patient or condition.Generally, there is not much difference between the two views, but modern medicine is going more specifically through details. While the Persian medicine discusses more comprehensively. The treatment basis in Persian medicine is based on different individual and environmental conditions.

The prevalence of nipple pain is reported to be 34-96% which is among the common causes of early breastfeeding stopping. Lanolin is the recommended treatment to improve nipple pain. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of boswellia have been approved. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of boswellia and lanolin ointment on nipple pain intensity in lactating women.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2018 on 68 lactating women with pain intensity of > 3 in pain visual scale in Mashhad. The subjects were placed in two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment. The correct method of lactation and drug use were taught to the two groups. The score of nipple pain was recorded by the researcher before the intervention, on day three and eight after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and T, Fisher, Chi-square and Wilcoxon statistical tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Before the intervention, mean pain severity in the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment was not significantly different (P = 0.23). On the seventh day after the intervention, mean pain severity was not significantly different in the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment (P = 0.40). But on the third day, mean of pain severity was significantly different between the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment (p <0.001) and pain intensity was lower in boswellia group than lanolin group. In intra-group comparison, mean pain intensity after the intervention (3rd and seventh day) was lower than the pre-intervention stage, which was statistically significant (P <0.001).

Boswellia ointment and lanolin are same effective in reducing nipple pain.

In cesarean section incision, like as any other surgery, there is possibility of delay in wound healing. According to studies, flaxseed oil is effective in wound healing. This study was performed with aim to determine the effects of flaxseed oil on cesarean wound healing.

This three-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 women with cesarean section at educational hospitals of Imam Reza and Shahid Hasheminejad of Mashhad in 2018. Individuals were randomly assigned to three groups (flaxseed ointment, placebo, control). In two groups of flaxseed ointment and placebo, the ointment was applied on cesarean section wound for 8 consecutive days and twice a day, each time as one finger strap. Wound healing was measured 24 hours after surgery, 4th and 8th day after cesarean section by REEDA Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25), and Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

According to the results of statistical tests, there was statistically significant difference between flaxseed group with control and placebo groups in terms of cesarean section wound healing on days 4 and 8 after the intervention (P <0.001). In addition, in the intergroup comparison, Friedman test showed that in all three groups, the variation of REEDA scale in different days was significantly different (P <0.001).

Regarding the reduction of REEDA cesarean wound score after the intervention, flaxseed oil is recommended as a suitable drug for cesarean section wound healing in mothers.

Pruritus is one of the most common problems of chronic kidney diseases. Different treatment modalities, while extending the life span of patients, can lead to changes in their lifestyle, health status and ultimately change their quality of life (QOL). Understanding the different aspects of patients' QOL leads to better services provided by health care teams to improve the patients' QOL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus in Mashhad in 1396 with a view to Iranian Medicine.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 52 patients. Data collection was done by the World Health Organization QOL and researcher-made demographic Questionnaire and SPSS 16 software was used for data analysis.

The mean age of patients was 51.73 years and mean duration of dialysis was 41.42 months. Total score of life quality was 56. The lowest and highest scores were seen in physical and environmental dimensions. There was an inverse significant relationship between some aspects of QOL with hemoglobin and creatinine and a direct significant relationship with age, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (P<0.005).

Hemodialysis patients' QOL is lower than others and several factors can improve it. Special attention to the individual characteristics of hemodialysis patients can be helpful in predicting their basic needs.

One of the physiologic factors affecting orgasms and sexual satisfaction is the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. The weakness of these muscles may lead to female orgasmic disruption, anorgasmia, and, in turn, to decreased sexual satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the effect of pomegranate peel gel on women's orgasm and sexual satisfaction during their reproductive age. This randomized triple blind clinical trial was conducted on 110 women aged 18-45 years old admitted to the women's clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad in 2018. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups of control and intervention. The subjects in intervention and control group were recommended to use peel gel and placebo, respectively for 8 weeks. The orgasms and sexual satisfaction of the women in both groups were evaluated at the baseline, as well as 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed in Stata software, using T_test, Mann_whitney, T_paird, Wilcoxom & Friedman. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. At the beginning of the study, the two groups were not different in terms of orgasms (p=0/748), sexual satisfaction (p=0/922), and sexual function. However, the mean scores of these two domains were significantly higher in study group after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention (p<0.001). The use of pomegranate peel gel can effectively increase women's sexual satisfaction by improving orgasms.

Itching is a mental feeling that elicits desire to scratch and results from stimulation of itch, pain or palpation receptors in the skin. In Iranian medicine, itching is referred as hekka. Several factors can cause this symptom. Various drugs are used to treat itching. They are sometimes costly and not readily available and have side effects. Given the time-consuming and cost-effective processes for the discovery of effective drugs, new strategies are needed to reduce processes time and costs. One of these strategies could be the use of previous experiences on medicinal plants and spices used in traditional medicine schools.
In this review, we searched the keyword "itching, pruritus" in three reference books of pharmacology of Iranian medicine, including The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanon fi al-Tibb), Tohfe Momenin, and Makhzan- Al' Advieh and ened up with a list of 60 multifaceted plants effective in improvement of pruritus. The efficacy of each of them was categorized based of available evidence. Therefore, it is recommended to use the rich experience of Iranian traditional medicine in the production of new drugs for pruritus.

Each of the four seasons of the year like the human body has a certain temperament. The seasons’ lifestyle is one of the most important issues for health maintenance in Persian medicine. In this article, the lifestyle of each season is presented to keep healthy and prevent common diseases.

 The topic of lifestyle in each season was studied using reliable sources of traditional Persian medicine and related articles of valid electronic database.

The recommended lifestyle in the spring includes: soft foods consumption such as lamb meat, fried eggs, barberry syrup, rhubarb and oxymel (Sekanjabin); and avoiding from excess movement, excess bathing, extreme anger, and happiness; body purgation with enema and phlebotomy. Lifestyle of the summer includes: consumption of fresh fish, chicken, sour pomegranate juice, verruca, rhubarb syrup, cherries, plums, watermelon, lettuce, increasing the amount of rest; avoiding from excess movement, excess intercourse. Lifestyle of the autumn includes: consumption of spicy foods, lamb meat, melon, quince, apples, and pears; bathing once every two days with lukewarm water and body purgation with enema. The recommended lifestyle in the winter includes: consumption of foods such as lamb meat with spicy seasonings; excess movement and activity; avoiding from phlebotomy and cupping.

In Traditional Persian Medicine resources, the starting point for health protection and disease treatment is prevention. In this article, some recommendations about lifestyle, especially eating habits and regulation of sleep, wakefulness and physical activity in different seasons are given. Following these rules will improve the health level of community and save health care costs

Considering the high prevalence of obesity in the world and Iran, its serious complications, failure of standard treatments in many patients, and recent trends towards complementary medicine, awareness of the effectiveness and side effects of such therapies seems necessary. This research aimed to review the effectiveness, safety and side effects of complementary medicine in obesity.
Databases including MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Scientific Iranian Database were searched in English and Persian languages using “obesity, overweight, herbal medicine, integrative medicine, complementary medicine , agar, psyllium, alpha lipoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, diacylglycerol, aloe, caffeine, calcium, bean pod, vitamin D, acupuncture, and …” as key words. All randomized controlled trials, in vitro and in vivo studies, systematic reviews and meta analysis were included. Then, information regarding those herbs were searched in the herbal and Persian Medicine references, along with the related products in Iranian pharmacopoeia through English and Persian references.
In total eighty six articles were found related to the subject among which 79 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, entered the study and were reviewed. Among the herbs and supplements used for weight control Agar, psyllium, Alpha lipoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, diacylglycerol, aloe, caffeine, calcium, bean pod, vitamin D have acceptable scientific evidence for efficacy and safety. Among non-herbal complementary therapies, yoga and meditation have shown promising scientific evidence.
Agar, psyllium, Alpha lipoic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, diacylglycerol, aloe, caffeine, calcium, bean pod, vitamin D, yoga and meditation could be suggested as complementary and integrative treatments besides the standard treatment of obesity, with acceptable effectiveness and safety.

Disorders caused by sexual hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the disorders which can lead to various diseases. Using medicines and chemical hormones along with their therapeutic effects can lead to dangerous side effects such as cancer. According to the approach of World Health Organization to alternative and traditional medicine, using safe and effective herbal remedies can be effective for hormonal disorders. This review article was performed with aim to investigate and introduce some herbal therapies for the treatment of diseases caused by sexual hormones.
The review articles published since 1980 onwards were searched in PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Google scholar databases using the keywords of “endocrine disorders”, “estrogen”, “progesterone”, “testosterone”, and “herbal therapies”. The inclusion criterion for the papers was introduction of at least one herbal drug for the management of mentioned three hormones. A total of 213 articles were found that 97 papers evaluating the direct relationship between herbal therapies and the hormones (not only the disease) were selected. Then, among these 97 articles, 53 studies that in addition to evaluation of how the herbs affect, also had explored the mechanism of effect were selected and discussed in this study.
The main herbal sources of sexual hormones are soy, red clover, and kudzu for estrogen, bupleurum, rehmannia, and passiflora for progesterone, and shatavari, damiana, and ashwagandha for testosterone.
Some herbal medicines may be suggested as the safe selective treatment for the management of problems and diseases caused by sexual hormones.

There is a special notice on waste material excretion and water circulation in Persian medicine. According to Persian medicine, diuretic remedies are used for excretion of some waste humors from circulation and tissues. The target organ for this function is kidney. Diuretics excrete the fine water soluble materials and by this mechanism help to improve diseases. Diuretics in modern medicines act by water and electrolytes excretion and in this way; they are administered for conditions such as congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, anasarca and hypertension. Each diuretic drug in Persian medicine act on a special humor. In this review, the concept of diuretics, indications, contraindications and cautions about their administration are extracted and classified based on Persian literatures. A comparison is also carried out between the diuretic mechanism in modern and Persian traditional medicines. The results of this study might expand reader’s insight about diuretic herbal remedies and help them in optimal administration of these drugs if they work based on Persian medicine.

Joint pain is one of the most common causes of patient’s referral to health centers. There have been several reasons for joint pain such as degenerative changes in cartilage and bones, loss of articular cartilage and inflammations of cartilage external structures such as ligaments, joint capsules and tendons. Although drug and non-drug methods of treatment in conventional medicine were effective in temporary relief of pain and local symptoms but the results are not satisfactory for patients and physicians. Common medical treatments include steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive drugs and cartilage repairing agents. Traditional view about the etiology and treatments of joint pain is somewhat different with conventional medicine. In this review, an overview of the most important analgesic plants for chronic arthritis pain relief in Iranian traditional medicine literatures were extracted and ranked.
According to the aim of the study which was the investigation of plants in relieving joint pain in Iranian traditional medicine, searching by keyword of relieving joint pain in the electronic version of five main resources was performed. The references were consisting of Qanun fi al-Teb, Ekhtiarate Badiee, Tohfeh Hakim Momen, Al Havi and Makhzan-ol-Advieh. .All medications with joint pain relief effect were individually extracted. Due to their importance and potency; they were scored 1 to 5. Total scores of each plant were calculated and ranked based on above mentioned resources.
Herbs with analgesic and humor reduction effects that gained the highest scores are Anethum graveolens, Ferula assa-foetida, Dorema ammoniacum, Citrullus colocynthis, Ruta graveolens, Zingiber zerumbet and Convolvulus scammonia, respectively.
Discussion & Usually, arthralgia is associated with local humor accumulation in joints. Therefore reduction of these abnormal humors in joints with analgesic and reductive properties of herbs may lead to relieving arthralgia. Based on the Iranian traditional medicine resources, systemic therapy is the first step in dealing with a patient with joint pain but for treating or relieving pain faster, topical pain reliever drugs can be used. These claims must be evaluated by clinical trials.