Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Effects of Fumaria Species in Traditional Persian Medicine and Modern Medical Studies: A Narrative Review

In Persian medicine, fumitory has been used in the treatment of many diseases, especially gastrointestinal disorders. On the other hand, among the studies that have been done on the plants of Fumaria species, the gastrointestinal and hepatic effects have been considered by researchers. The purpose of this study is to review the comparative therapeutic effects of fumitory in Persian medicine and modern medical studies.

First, the uses of fumitory were extracted, studied and categorized from the reference books of Persian medicine, including: Qanoon, Al-Havi, Makhzan al-Adviyah, Qarabadin Kabir, Tahfa al-Momenin, and Riyaz al-Adviyah. Then, the related articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google scholar, Magiran and SID databases. Finally, a comparative study of the applications of this plant in conventional medicine and Persian medicine was performed.

This plant has been used in Persian medicine as a gastric and hepatic tonic and an opener of obstructions of the liver and spleen. Other functions include blood purifying, laxative, appetizing, and cleansing effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Today, in basic and clinical studies on plants of the genus fumaria, the hepatoprotective effect, reducing effects of liver enzymes, anti-inflammatory effect in hepatic disorders, antidiarrheal effects, reducing effect of inflammatory factors in digestive disorders, and ameliorative effect on irritable bowel syndrome have been proven.

According to the Persian medicine literatures and modern medicine studies, Fumaria species can have therapeutic potential in some gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.