Traditional and Integrative Medicine
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Summer 2021

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is common disorder among nurses. The present study compared the effect of rubbing joint oil (chamomile oil product) and sesame oil on the control of chronic LBP in nurses. This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 74 nurses with chronic LBP. The samples were divided into two groups using the randomization method. In the first group, joint oil (chamomile oil product), and in the second group, sesame oil was rubbed twice a day for three weeks. The pain severity was assessed using a visual analog scale before, one, two, three, and four weeks after the intervention. The second outcomes including absenteeism and satisfaction with treatment were also assessed in two groups. Moreover, the mean pain severity decreased, and in both groups, the effect of rubbing both oils was the same after the first week and this effect continued after the fourth week (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of absenteeism (P > 0.05) and both groups were satisfied (62/2%) with the effects of oil rubbing. Rubbing joint oil (Chamomile oil product) and Sesame oil is a simple and non-invasive method for controlling LBP. Although the effects of rubbing both oils on pain control were the same, the consequences of low back pain control with rubbing oil were significant.

We want to evaluate the effect of Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel (Bonsor) known (traditional medicine agent) in calcium oxalate stones in kidney. 36 male rats were divided into 6 groups. I: healthy model + water, II: negative model + 1% ethylene glycol in water, III: 750 mg/kg of total extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water(Prevention), IV: 250 mg/kg flavonoid extract +1% of ethylene glycol in water (Prevention), V: 1500 mg/kg of total extract from 15th day+ 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment), VI: 500 mg/kg of flavonoid extract from 15th of the study + 1% of ethylene glycol in water (Treatment).24-hour urine and blood samples were collected in 30th day for analysis. Pathology of kidneys was checked. Serum urea, uric acid, creatinine and urine calcium and oxalate were significantly increased, urine citrate was decreased in group II Vs I. (P < .05). Extract administration significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea and uric acid. Urine calcium and oxalate significantly decreased in treated groups. Urine calcium levels were significantly decreased in treated rats, but urine citrate levels were increased Vs group II. (P < .05). No crystal accumulation and tubular cast were observed in prevention groups. Hydroalcholic extract of Allium noeanum was able to reduce urine oxalate.

The COVID-19 disease started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread across the world, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. Due to the high prevalence of this disease, it resulted in worry in many people and has led to several unnecessary visits to medical centers which may have increased the risk of infection. Preventive measures are necessary to control outbreaks and decrease disease burdens. Telemedicine such as telephone consultation is an efficient and safe platform to control disease in times of infectious epidemics by reducing the communication between people and the presence of non-infected people in medical centers. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as integrated medicine, is a collection of scientific principles and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease. The Nobaan’s telephone consultation system was set up by ITM specialists to provide consultations for COVID-19. A total of 43 ITM physicians have been consulting health seekers every day from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. based on national guidelines for COVID-19 and a specialized guide from academic resources of ITM. From 18 March to 17 April 2020, the doctors received a total of 2778 calls and provided a total of 11221 minutes of consultation. In total, 50% of physicians answered more than 90% of the calls and the average length of each call was 4.5 minutes. Finally, it seems except few limitations compared with face to face patient visit, this newly consultation by ITM specialist may provide considerable help to prevent and manage COVID-19 outbreak in Iran.

High blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. With regard to the significant role of a healthy diet in the prevention and even treatment of diseases together with the high cost and side effects of drugs, finding foods effective in the treatment of metabolic disorders has been widely considered. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oxymel – an Iranian traditional syrup with vinegar base – on cardiovascular risk indicators in obese and overweight people. Candidates were selected based on a set of inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups of control and test. The control group received 250 cc of water, while the test group received 250 cc water containing 30 cc of the oxymel for 30 days. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The results showed that there were no significant changes in the body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose level. However, weight (P = 0.053) and cholesterol (P = 0.083) decreased relatively significantly in the test group compared to the control group. This study shows that consumption of oxymel has positive cardiovascular effects such as lowering the blood cholesterol level and can contribute to weight loss; however, studies with a larger sample size are recommended.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has long been considered a medicinal plant in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) due to its therapeutic properties. Despite this interest, its effects on gastrointestinal disorders have not been completely taken into consideration. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological activity of ethanolic extracts of saffron stigma (SS) and saffron petal (SP) in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The gastric ulcer model was imitated by the serosal application of acetic acid in male Wistar rats. Then, the animals were orally fed with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extracts of SS or SP, omeprazole (40 mg/kg), or saline for 12 days. The macroscopic and microscopic appearances of gastric ulcers and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in gastric tissues were assessed. The highest anti-ulcer activity was observed in the omeprazole-treated animals with the lowest ulcer size (4.29 ± 1.78 mm2). SS could not reduce gastric ulcer size in rats. Compared to the untreated rats, SP treatment significantly decreased ulcer indices in a dose-dependent manner. The gastric levels of PGE2, VEGF, and MDA were significantly elevated in the untreated animals with gastric ulcers compared to rats in the control group. The SS extract suppressed the elevated PGE2 and VEGF levels at both doses, while SP did not have a significant influence. Both SS and SP treatments significantly ameliorated MDA levels in rats with gastric ulcers. Omeprazole treatment enhanced the PGE2 level and suppressed MDA contents, but it did not influence the VEGF level. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the saffron stigma has no significant effects on the gastric ulcer healing process, while its petals accelerate the process. This discrepancy can be attributed to the difference in the main secondary metabolites between saffron stigma and petals.

Peganum harmala is a plant that belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae. In traditional medicine, this plant has therapeutic effects such as repelling intestinal worms, increasing sexual potency, increasing milk secretion, anti-rheumatism, regularizing, anti-parasitic, hypnotic, diaphoretic, anti-cancer and analgesic. The aim of this study was to identify the chemical composition of P. harmala seed essential oil. P. harmala seed essential oil was extracted by Head Space-SPME [HS-SPME] method and its chemical compounds were identified by GC-MS method. Totally, 41 chemical compounds were identified in P. harmala seed essential oil. According to the results, the most compounds of P. harmala L. seed essential oil includes 2,3-dimethyl benzofuran (28.32%), cis-linalool oxide (7.46%), [2E]- decenal (6.57%), 4aα,7β,7aα-nepetalactone (6.49%), 3-oxo-p-menth-1-en-7-al (6.36%) and trans- β- terpineol (5.86%), respectively.

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders worldwide without a satisfying treatment. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a topical formulation of clove oil in premature ejaculation patients. Eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups to use either Syzygium aromaticum (SA) 1% gel or placebo gel 10 minutes before the intercourse for a period of 8 weeks. Outcome measurement were Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires in addition to Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (IELT). A total number of 22 (11 patients in each group) participants completed the study. At the end of the intervention, the IELT scores changed from 29.84 ± 18.59 to 97.09 ± 91.86 and 42.51 ± 13.98 to 52.45 ± 32.7 seconds in SA gel and placebo groups, respectively (p-value = 0.003). Also, the changes of PEDT scores in the SA gel group (from 14 ± 3.55 to 9.2 ± 4.56) comparing to that of placebo gel group (from 14.63 ± 3.61 to 13.5 ± 3.78) was significantly different (p-value =0.001). Moreover, results of IIEF questionnaire revealed significant improvement of “Intercourse Satisfaction” in SA gel group (p-value = 0.016). No adverse event was observed. It seems that SA gel could be beneficial in the treatment of premature ejaculation; however, it should be further evaluated in larger studies.

Bahaq is a commonly encountered clinical condition of the skin. It is characterized by the presence of hypopigmented or hyperpigmented or erythematous macule which appears on the neck, chest, shoulder and arms. In classical literature, bahaq and its subtype bahaq abyad and bahaq aswad have been described. In a recent development, these Unani terminologies (bahaq abyad and bahaq aswad) have been correlated with the terminologies used in modern medicine for similar clinical presentation by the competent authority in India. The equivalent terms assigned for bahaq abyad as pityriasis alba and bahaq aswad as pityriasis nigra do not seem to be suitable. They lead to misdiagnosis and treatment failure. In this article, we have reviewed evidences from the literature to have current understanding of the clinical conditions bahaq abyad and bahaq aswad. The literature review showed that these two dermatological clinical conditions have an individual identity. They differ from each other in terms of clinical presentation, demographic characteristics, pathogenesis and treatment. Moreover, we have presented one case report of bahaq abyad and bahaq aswad each to have an understanding of its demographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical features and clinical course of the disease. We have diagnosed these cases as per descriptions mentioned in the classical literature and tried to correlate to the equivalent terms representing a similar clinical presentation in modern medicine. After a review of evidence, we hypothesize the most suitable equivalent terms for the clinical conditions bahaq abyad and bahaq aswad as pityriasis versicolor instead of bahaq abyad as pityriasis alba and bahaq aswad as pityriasis nigra. This research article may guide the Unani physicians in clinical practice for proper diagnosis, therapeutic approach, drugs selection and treatment of bahaq and its subtypes.

Radiodermatitis (RD) is experienced by many cancer patients ‎receiving radiotherapy. An increasing number of these patients demand alternative natural therapies. This study aimed to review the natural products application in cancer patients who experience RD.‎ A search of studies published from 1990 to ‎‎2020 in the ‎databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed with the keywords relevant to “Radiotherapy” “Dermatitis” and “Natural Products”. Out of 73 papers obtained, 40 papers were excluded which described only protocols or were non-clinical, non-English language, or without full text. The obtained studies were ‎discussed in detail according to the outcomes and potential mechanisms of action for each natural ‎product.‎ Clinically studied natural products were found to show several outcomes from non-effective to effective in diminishing various items of RD. Outcomes on the effectiveness of Aloe vera were diverse. Some trials suggest that Silybum marianum, Boswellia, Nigella sativa, olive oil, Lianbai, and Hypericum perforatum as well as some multi-ingredient products might be effective prophylactic treatments for RD. Potential mechanisms of these natural products included topical hydrating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound ‎healing activities. Results from this review shows that there are some promising natural product options for the prevention and treatment of RD via their multifactorial bioactivities. However, additional research is needed before any definitive conclusions. A larger sample size, optimum doses and duration of intervention as well as investigation of treatment effects in diverse populations and comorbid complications would also be essential in future studies.

Indo-Iranian medicine dates back to a couple of centuries ago. The Gurkanies’ movement from Iran and Transoxiana to India introduced the Persian language to India, and the scientific language changed from Arabic and Sanskrit to this language. Iranian medicine has had a remarkable influence on the Indian Subcontinent, a sign of which is the elevated medical literature written in this language. Hakim Mohammad Azam Khan was born in 1813 AD.  His ancestors were great sages of Khorasan (in north east of Iran) and then migrated to Afghanistan and India. Since he lived in the late 19th AD century, he had access to many Iranian traditional books. He provided rich sources of traditional medicine for the next generation by publishing traditional medicine books and traditional pharmacology. He wrote great books such as the Exir Azam (a comprehensive medical encyclopedia), Romouz Azam (a general book on medicine), Qarabadin Azam (Pharmacopeia). With his profound 19th century orientalist approach that emphasized safeguarding the Persian language, he created numerous works in the field of medicine, making him the most serious custodian of Indo-Iranian medicine in India. The present study reviews the scientific life of a contemporary famous author of Indo-Iranian medical literature written in Persian Language.