Human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a therapy for spinal cord injury

Traumatic injury to the spinal cord interrupts ascending and descending pathways leading to severe functional deficits of sensory motor and autonomic function which depend on the level and severity of the injury. There are currently no effective therapies for treating such injuries and the adult central nervous system has very limited capacity for repair so that recovery is very limited and functional deficits are usually permanent. Cell transplantation is a potential therapy for spinal cord injury and a range of cell types are being investigated as candidates. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from bone marrow are one cell type quite extensively studied. When transplanted into animal models of spinal cord injury these cells are reported to affect various aspects of repair and in some cases to improve functional outcome according to behavioural measures. However, the use of these cells has several limitations including the need for an invasive harvesting procedure, variability in cell quality and slow expansion in culture. This project therefore had two main aims: Firstly to investigate whether MSC-like cells closely equivalent to bone marrow derived MSCs could be reliably and consistently differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in order to provide an “off the shelf” cellular therapy product for spinal cord injury and secondly, to transplant such cells into animal models of spinal cord injury in order to, determine whether hESC-derived MSCs replicate or improve on the repair mechanisms reported for bone marrow MSCs

The use of venom and venom-derived products in medicine and cosmetics: the ethical issues from Islamic perspective

Venom is a mixture of biologically active toxins that affect normal physiological functions. With the advance in technology, the complexity and functions of venom and its toxins are slowly being revealed. It has become important source for therapeutic, diagnostic and cosmetic agents. However, there is concern among the Muslim community pertaining to halal and safety issues on the venom and venom-derived product usage. There are few studies that discuss the Islamic views in the usage of venom and venom-based product in medicine and cosmetic applications. There is a need for Muslim scientists and scholars to seriously identify the potential ethical and safety issues in the usage of venom and venom-derived products in view of the widespread application in medicine and cosmetic, which subsequently forming the basis for relevant and reliable shariah ruling. This is an attempt to review the relevant articles based on the following keywords: venom and Islamic ruling, venom-based product, venom and medicine, venom and cosmetic, antivenom, venom toxin, snake poison and venom diagnostics. It will also attempt to clarify and elaborate the implication of the “halal” status for venom-based product. Finaly the current available shariah rulings on the usage of venom and venom-based product both in medical and cosmetic area and the related principle of fiqh involved will be analyzed. The findings from this review, particularly the current available ruling will allow various parties to be well informed on the current ruling and related issues on the usage of this products

Anatomy of musculoskeletal system in the light of the Qur’an and hadith

The integration of human knowledge between the medical and health care sciences with revealed knowledge was established since the era of Al-Razi (Rhazes), Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al- Zahrawi (Albucasis) and others. However, the glorious period of Islamic medicine gradually declined after the period of 'Abbasiyyah and 'Uthmaniyyah. At present, many scholars tend to separate the modern medicine and the revealed knowledge, resulting in the disconnection between these two fields. There is little to suggest the presence of reference collections that integrate the Qur’an and Hadith with medicine. This review aimed to fill that gap. Relevant Qur’anic verses and authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him; henceforth PBUH) in relation to a specific field in medicine i.e. the anatomy of human musculoskeletal system was extracted. The musculoskeletal system is unique in which it forms the ‘backbone’ of normal human posture. The system plays a vital role in maintaining human daily activities. From this review, it is noted that many Qur’anic verses and Hadith relate to the musculoskeletal system. A few examples include the number human joints and its relationship with the daily prayers (Salah), the daily charitable act recommended to all Muslim, the coccyx bone that is indestructible and shall be the source for human resurrection during the hereafter, and others. These examples necessitate for a more in-depth analysis to enlighten the revealed knowledge from the medical perspective

Stem cells research: therapeutic potentials and ethical issues from Islamic perspective

The advancement in human stem cell research has promised a viable alternative treatment for a range of ‘incurable diseases’ such as neurological diseases. To date, several studies have documented substantial evidences on the therapeutic properties of stem cells in promoting repair in different diseases including common neurological disorders i.e. ischaemic stroke and spinal cord injury. However, the progress of stem cell research has been surrounded by ethical issues which largely due to the usage of human embryos as one of the sources. These embryonic stem cells which originally derived from human embryo of aborted foetus or already existing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) lines, has sparked an intense moral and religious argument among people of various faith, including Muslim community. From the therapeutic point of view, amongst the currently available stem cells, hESCs show the greatest potential for the broadest range of cell replacement therapies and are regarded as the most commercially viable. This review focuses on the major ethical issues, particularly to Muslim community, related to human embryonic stem cells research with special emphasis on the moral status of the embryo and the beginning of life according to the Islamic ethics and rulings. In this paper, we also discuss some ethical positions towards embryonic stem cell research in the Islamic world, including official regulations existing in some Muslim countries. We examine the justification and the necessity on the usage of hESCs following the newly discovered Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs) in the laboratory. In addition, we supplement the discussions with the general views and positions from the other two Abrahamic religions i.e. Christianity and Judaism

The formulation of classification for Islamization in medicine: review on 15 Years of publications from Kulliyyah of Medicine

Background: The Kulliyyah of Medicine of IIUM has pioneered the Islamization of Medicine in Malaysia since its establishment in year 1994. Therefore, it is timely to review publications on Islamization by the kulliyyah and also to propose a classification system in the field of researches to promote an organized, comprehensive, inclusive and relevant Islamization process. Objectives: The aim is to review and classify publications on Islamization performed by the members of Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Methods: All researches and publications deposited in the IIUM Repository (IREP) under the Kulliyyah of Medicine between 1st of January 2000 and 31st of August 2016 were reviewed. Journal articles, posters and proceedings with Islamization themes were identified. These publications were classified based on common themes to either of the following; 1) "Islamic Principles and Related Rulings in Medicine"; 2) "Medical Treatment for Muslim Patients"; 3) "Islamic Input in Medical Practices"; 4) "Ruqyah and Tibb an-Nabawi in Contemporary Medicine". Results: A total of 1616 items (journal articles, abstracts and proceedings) were reviewed. Sixty-one (3.8%) of them were related to Islamization. The major contributors to writings in Islamization are the Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation Department (10%) followed by the Internal Medicine Department (7.9%), from their total deposits in the IREP database. Majority (36.5%) of work were done in "Islamic Principles and Related Rulings in Medicine", which dwells in subjects such as euthanasia, autonomy and doctor-patient relationship followed by "Islamic Input in Medical Practice" (28.6%) which was related to topics in the medical curriculum such as Fiqh Ibadah for the sick. Twenty-three point eight percent (23.8%) of work were in the "Medical Treatment for Muslim Patients" which focuses on Ramadan and diabetes and joint problems and Solat. Minimal work (7.9%) was done in the "Ruqyah and Tibb an-Nabawi in Contemporary Medicine" category. Conclusions Low number of publications on Islamization was deposited in the IREP database for the past 15 years. Based on the proposed classification system, majority of publications were on "Islamic Principles and Related Rulings in Medicine" and "Islamic Input in Medical Practice". More work is required on the theme of "Medical Treatment for Muslim Patients" and "Ruqyah and Tibb an-Nabawi in Contemporary Medicine"

A review on the applications of rukhsoh in medical practices

Rukhsoh (permit) is a concessionary law, which oppose to azimah (enforced) in Islamic jurisprudence. It is considered as one of the important concept to be understood by Muslims physicians and scientists as its applications offer solutions for hardships and difficulties in performing practical acts of worship. However, discussions regarding this matter in both classical references and current literatures of Islamic Jurisprudence are generally limited and less structure. This review attempts to deliver a structured account on the principles and applications of rukhsoh in medical issues related to practical acts of worship. This review comprises of two parts of discussion. The first part starts with an overview on the general discussion of rukhsoh i.e. concept of rukhsoh in Islamic jurisprudence, evidences from the Quran and Sunnah, as well as relevent qawaid fiqhiyyah. It then follows with the discussion on types of rukhsoh and their determining factors. The general principles in applying the concept of rukhsoh in ibaadah will also be outlined and discussed. The second part of this review attempts to outline the criteria to be fulfilled in order to introduce the concept of rukhsoh into various fiqh issues related to medical practices. The review then delves into specific discussions, which focus into real practical issues which necessitates the application of rukhsoh in different medical disciplines: obstetric and gynaecology, surgery, orthopaedics, and others. The discussions will revolve around the specific medical diseases or conditions, which jeopardize patients’ ability to conduct their act of worship and how the rukhsoh would come into place

Palliative care and hospice care from the perspective of the maqasid sharī'ah

It is crucial that Muslim healthcare professionals understand the Islamic perspective of life, health, illness, and death issues to provide a holistic care to their patients, especially those who are terminally or critically ill. Terminally ill patients would inevitably require specialized treatment such as palliative care or hospice care, depending on their conditions to improve their remaining quality of life. Palliative care is an established approach for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses such as cancer, where the goal is comfort care while hospice involves caring to those with a terminal illness that has become advanced, progressive, and incurable. In both, the goal of care is ‘comfort care’. We examined the approach used by healthcare providers in providing palliative care and hospice care from the perspective of maqasid sharī'ah using both descriptive and analytical methods conclude with the following statements. Islam emphasizes that Muslims should aspire for good death or husnul khatimah as the desirable end of life on this temporary abode. The multidisciplinary concept of care that involves experts from various disciplines to address the physical, mental, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients and improve the quality of life is acceptable in Islam and regarded as commendable act in Islam as patients, viewed as individuals require assistance to face the reality of reaching the inevitable end of their lives from the caretakers, family members and healthcare team. As the terminal condition worsen and the inevitable end of life is deemed imminent, very often doctors need to make ethical decisions with consultation of patient’s surrogate decision-maker, such as withholding, withdrawing of life support, DNAR and advanced medical directives. Resolving ethical dilemmas requires understanding and application of ethical principles both contemporary and Islamic ethics of the Maqasid al-sharī'ah before sound decisions could be made

Trihoney ameliorates oxidative stress in atherosclerotic aorta

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in various pathogenic signalling pathways underlying vascular inflammation. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) play a significant role in protecting against harmful effects of ROS. Honey has been shown to function as antioxidant through suppression of oxidative stress and radical scavenging ability. This study aims to explore the antioxidant potential of Trihoney (Combination of three types of honey, namely: Trigona, Mellifera, and Dorsata) on oxidative stress in atherosclerotic plaques of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 5 groups as follows: normal diet (C), normal diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (C+H), 1% cholesterol diet (HC), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (HC+H), and 1% cholesterol diet with 2mg/kg/day of atorvastatin (HC+At). All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of treatment upon confirmation of hypercholesterolemia. The atherosclerotic aorta was harvested and homogenised. Activities of SOD and GPx were determined in aorta homogenate by enzyme assay kits. Aorta homogenate malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Untreated hypercholesterolemic group HC showed it suppressed SOD and GPx activities, in addition to significant (p<0.001) elevation of MDA concentration. The atherogenic group treated with Trihoney demonstrated significant (p<0.01) enhanced activities of both SOD and GPx compared to HC group. Treatment with atorvastatin significantly (p<0.001) enhanced GPx activity as compared to all other treated and untreated groups. Trihoney supplemented group, and atorvastatin treated group demonstrated significant (p<0.001) reduction in MDA concentration compared to the HC group. Conclusions: Trihoney has the potentials to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity and ameliorates the oxidative stress in the atherosclerotic aorta

Honey and its Role in Medical Disorders

Honey has been used as food and medicine by ancient and modern world, and by all traditions and civilisations. Modern medicine has accepted honey as therapeutic agent for diversity of clinical ailments. Honey is a source of important macro and micronutrients, and a rich source of calories. Honey possesses modulating effects on most of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Natural honey can exert hepatoprotective effects both in term of hepatic function as well as by preserving liver structure. Natural honey proven for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer effects, and has been tried for wound healing, eye disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, and fertility disorders. This review discusses the current knowledge for the important therapeutic role of honey