Effects of Zataria oxymel on obesity, insulin resistance and lipid profile:A randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss.(ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel(ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied.Objective: This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance.Design, setting, participants and interventions: In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment;group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 m L of oxymel in each treatment and group C(control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment.Main outcome measures: Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index(BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar(FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile(total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes(aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase).Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin(μIU/mL)×FBS(mg/dL)/405.Results: The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively(P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference(P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS.No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups.Conclusion: In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976 N1.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnant women:A cross-sectional survey in the south of Iran

Objective: The use of traditional medicine and complementary alternative medicine(TM/CAM) derived from herbal remedies or natural supplements is increasing worldwide, but there are limited data on the use of TM/CAM during pregnancy. Iran has various ethnic populations, and the usage of TM/CAM by the different ethnic groups has not been researched. The aim of this study is to understand the use of TM/CAM modalities in pregnant women of different ethnic groups in southern Iran.Methods: This study was conducted in primary health care centers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, from May to August, 2016. A semi-structured valid questionnaire was used to gather information in pregnant women(n = 170).Results: About 46.5% of women in this study used TM/CAM during previous pregnancies. The majority(67%) of study participants were Arab. The Arab population showed increased use of TM/CAM during pregnancy(P = 0.014). Women with complications in former pregnancies had significantly higher incidence rate of TM/CAM use(65.8%) compared to the other group(39.6%)(P = 0.001).Conclusion: Understanding TM/CAM use and the associated factors in different ethnic groups of pregnant women will benefit the evaluation of the proper health policies and mother-infant health programs. This study contributes to the growing literature on TM/CAM, ethnic diversity and pregnant women.