Gastrointestinal effects of Artemisia absinthium Linn. based on traditional Persian medicine and new studies

One of the most extensively used herbs in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) used in the treatment ofgastrointestinal (GI) disorders, is the plant Artemisia absinthium Linn. (AAL). It also has a wide range of activitiessuch as analgesic and anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial activities, hepatoprotective,and neuroprotective activities in addition to having gastroprotective effects. This article is a review comparingTPM resources with new medicines. This review investigates this herb in major TPM sources and strives toextrapolate the exact function it serves in the digestive tract and compares the collected information on the functionof AAL with information found in new medical resource databases such as ISI, Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar,and Scientific Information Database. AAL from the Asteraceae family of TPM, known as Afsentin, was used in thetreatment of GI weaknesses, stomach pains, swellings, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, and vomiting. AAL increasedappetite, so it was used for insect repellents and insecticide. Recent studies have indicated that the effects of thisplant improved the symptoms of Crohn's disease and played a role in reducing inflammatory factors. It also hasstrong anti-parasitic, anti-insect, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant effects. Given the widespread use of AAL as atraditional medicine currently in use in different countries, particularly in the treatment of GI diseases, furtherclinical studies that focus on the therapeutic qualities of this plant are required in the future.

Digestion process and causes of indigestion based on Avicenna's view and modern medicine

The process of food digestion is one of the most important physiologic processes in human body. In this review, we are seeking the views of Avicenna, the most distinguished Persian medical scholar about digestion and indigestion. Avicenna’s view was based on the humoral theory. Avicenna has focused scrutiny on the process of digestion. He divided this process into four phases including gastric, hepatic, intravascular and intra-organ digestion. A defect in any of these phases can lead to disturbance in other stages. Avicenna approached the problem of indigestion through factors of diet, lifestyle and inherent structural characteristics of digestive organs. Modern medicine confirms Avicenna's opinion about the start of digestion from the mouth, the role of the stomach in digestion and the role of the liver in the metabolism of foods. Overeating or eating certain foods, snacking between meals, eating variety of different foods together, intense physical activity, sexual activity after a meal, stress and sleep insufficiency are among factors that may be linked to indigestion in modern medicine viewpoints and also have been mentioned in Avicenna's teachings. It seems rational to consider the medical approaches recommended by Avicenna for future studies in the field of digestive disorders.

Excess mortality in Northeast Iran caused by COVID-19:Neglect of offset community transformations of health

Objective:To make evidence-based decisions based on broad mortality trends for Razavi Khorasan province,Iran.Methods:In order to determine the baseline number of deaths,we used univariate time series analyses for monthly data from the monthly vital statistics reports(From April 2015 to March 2022).For excess mortalities,these baselines were subtracted from reported deaths with a 95%prediction interval.To compare time and causes,a P-score was calculated.Results:From March 2020 to March 2022,there were 61949 registered deaths,and the estimated deaths with a 95%confidence interval(CI)were 43246.16(35718.28,50774.05).So,in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022,the death counts were 35.15%and 51.33%higher than projected.A total of 18666 cardiovascular diseases were reported and a total of 15704.46(12006.95,19401.96)was estimated.The P-score for this duration was 14.49%and 23.23%higher than expected.Infectious and parasitic diseases plus COVID-19 were 16633 and estimated to be 1044.87(456.77,1632.96).A total of 4420 diseases of the respiratory system were reported,and 4564.94 deaths were predicted(2277.43,6852.43).In the first year of the pandemic,the P-score dropped to-35.28%and in the second year,it jumped sharply to 22.38%.Conclusions:Excess mortality,along with cause-specific mortality,can be helpful for monitoring trends and developing public health policies at the local,national,and international levels.

The potential effects of Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy(DN)is the most common form of neuropathy worldwide,with its prevalence rising alongside diabetes,and being characterized by sensory,motor or autonomic symptoms.DN is considered to be an incurable complication of diabetes,the management of which mainly consists of improving glycemic control,managing pain relief and ensuring continuous foot care.Although gabapentin,duloxetine and tricyclic antidepressants are commonly used to reduce patient symptoms,they do not affect the pathophysiology and progression of neuropathy.Furthermore,these drugs can have various side effects including insomnia,decreased appetite,arrhythmia,heart failure,and suicidal behavior.According to traditional Persian medicine,DN is recognized as a type of“Khadar”or“Esterkha”(a sensory or motor disorder,respectively)that occurs due to the accumulation of sugars in the peripheral nerves.Capparis spinosa L.,commonly known as the caper plant,has been recommended in authentic sources of traditional Persian medicine to treat such disorders.In this study,we reviewed the pharmacological properties of C.spinosa using the Web of Science,PubMed,Scopus and Google Scholar databases,and found that Capparis spinosa L.could affect several pathways involved in DN pathogenesis,including aldose reductase activity,the secretion of inflammatory mediators(IL-17,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),oxidative stress,hyperlipidemia,hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end product formation.Based on these findings,we hypothesize that Capparis spinosa L.,may prevent the progression and reduce the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy,and so can be considered as a complementary treatment in this disorder.This hypothesis should be evaluated in well-designed in vitro and in vivo studies,and through clinical trials.

Camel milk could be helpful in the treatment of asthma

哮喘是一种慢性炎症性疾病,伴有过度的烦躁和气道狭窄,炎症在其中发挥着重要作用。目前世界上有3亿名哮喘患者。目前哮喘的主要治疗方法包括扩张支气管和控制炎症。寻找新的治疗方法的研究还在继续,旨在减少药物的副作用和耐药性的发生以及增强患者对治疗的应答。因为卫生资源不足和疾病的传播,现在世界卫生组织推荐传统医学的应用尤其是在不发达国家。伊朗传统医学(ITM)或波斯医学是最古老的综合性传统医学之一,具有几千年的历史,可以用来治疗不同的疾病。因为有时候哮喘患者对现有的治疗方法耐受或者不应答,本假设旨在探讨骆驼乳作为哮喘的辅助治疗方式。通过检索PubMed和Scopus数据库来研究骆驼乳对肺部炎症性疾病的疗效。结果表明,骆驼乳具有抗炎、免疫调节和抗氧化的作用,能降低患有炎症性疾病的人和动物体内的炎症因子的水平,例如TNF-α、IL-17、IL-6,IL-1β和TGF-β1。此外还发现骆驼乳可以治疗哮喘,但是还需要进一步的临床研究来验证骆驼乳在哮喘中的治疗作用及其机制。

Anti-irritable Bowel Syndrome Syrup Improves Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome:A Randomized,Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administration of the formulated Persian herbal syrup on improving the symptoms of patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-C).Methods This study was conducted in 70 patients with IBS-C,who were recruited from 3 medical centers in Mashhad,Iran,from November 2017 to August 2018.Seventy patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups including treatment and placebo groups by block randomization,35 cases in each group.Patients in the treatment group received 15 mL of anti-IBS syrup,thrice daily for 6 weeks and followed up for 4 weeks.Placebo syrup was also prepared through similar instruction,BP syrup without plant extract was used.Primary outcome induding IBS Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS)questionnaire and secondary outcomes in terms of Hospital Anxiety and Depression(HADS)questionnaires,the Bristol Stool Form Scale(BSFS)were completed and evaluated at weeks 6 and 10,respectively.Safety indices were collected at the end of the treatment and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0(CTCAE)was used to evaluate the adverse events.Results The response to treatment was 84.4%(27/32)in the treatment group and 46.4%(13/28)in the placebo group,respectively(P=0.002).Compared with pre-treatment,a significant decrease was found on the IBS-SSS and BSFS scores after 6-week intervention in both groups(P<0.001).Moreover,IBS-SSS and BSFS scores in the treatment group were lower than the placebo group after the intervention(P=0.041).There was no significant difference in the anxiety and depression scores after treatment in both groups(P>0.05).Side effects reported in the treatment group included 2 cases of headache during the first week of the onset of the treatment,1 case of drowsiness,1 case of increase in menstrual bleeding,which did not result in discontinuation of the treatment.In the placebo group,1 case of exacerbation of the disease was reported.Conclusions Anti-IBS syrup significantly reduced the severity of IBS symptoms compared to placebo.However,there was a need for further investigation regarding the anxiety and depression scores.(Registration No.IRCT2017061034446N1).

Potential therapeutic applications for Terminalia chebula in Iranian traditional medicine

Terminalia chebula(family:Combretaceae)is widely used in the traditional medicine of India and Iran to treat diseases that include dementia,constipation,and diabetes.This tree is known in Iranian traditional medicine(ITM)as halileh or halilaj and the fruit is used to develop treatments.It is described in ITM as an astringent that has a"cold"and"dry"temperament.References to the medicinal properties of Terminalia chebula were collected from important ITM sources and from modern medical databases(Pub Med,Scirus,Science Direct,and Scopus).The medicinal properties described for thistree in ITM were compared with those reported in studies of modern phytotherapy.The results confirm that the tree referred to as halileh in traditional books is the Terminalia chebula used in present-day studies.Treatments that have not been evaluated in modern phytotherapy but have been traditionally treated with Terminalia chebula include fever,and psychological and psychiatric issues.This article confirms the medicinal uses of Terminalia chebula.

Gastroprotective effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba L.against HCl/Ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the gastroprotective effects of standardized aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba(Z. jujuba) stem bark against acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcers as well as anti helicobacter pylori activity of the plant extract in rats.METHODS: Five groups of rats were orally pre-treated with normal saline(0.9%) as ulcer group, 150 mg/kg of ranitidine as positive control group, 100, 200 and 400 mg of standardized extract solution as the experimental groups. Two hours later, acidified ethanol solution was given by gavages in order to induce of gastric ulcer. The antibacterial effect of extract against clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) was evaluated through disc diffusion test.RESULTS: The ulcer group exhibited significantly severe mucosal injury as compared with ranitidine or extract group which shows significant protective action against gastric mucosal injury. The extract showed no effect on H. pylori.CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that Z.jujuba stem bark extract had a potential antiulcer activity which might be due to its protective activity, providing a direct, protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Our study showed that anti-H. pylori activity was not among gastroprotective mechanism of Z. jujuba. Further pre-clinical and clinical investigations for evaluating natural active agents and efficacy of this plant are recommended.