Effects of �Satureja hortensis L.� on improving adult gastroesophageal reflux disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most widespread gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there is increasing evidence that not all patients respond to its current remedies. Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of �Satureja hortensis L.� on improving the symptoms of mild to moderate GERD in adults. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of �Satureja hortensis L.� compared to placebo in the symptoms of GERD in fifty-eight adultswith GERD who referred to Hazrat Rasool-e-Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2015. In order to assess GERD symptoms, a standardized questionnaire of frequency scale (FSSG) was used before and after the intervention. Results: Regarding within-group changes, a significant decrease was observed in FSSG, dysmotility-like symptoms and acid reflux related scores in both groups of the study after the intervention compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Regarding between-group analysis, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of FSSG total scores (0.05 < P). Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, Satureja hortensis L. with the dose of 500mgthree times per day failed to improve the symptoms of GERD in adults compared to placebo. The significant reductions in the GERD scores in both groups seem to be related to the lifestyle modification that was prescribed to both groups. © 2018, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Effects of �Satureja hortensis L.� on improving adult gastroesophageal reflux disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most widespread gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, there is increasing evidence that not all patients respond to its current remedies. Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of �Satureja hortensis L.� on improving the symptoms of mild to moderate GERD in adults. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of �Satureja hortensis L.� compared to placebo in the symptoms of GERD in fifty-eight adultswith GERD who referred to Hazrat Rasool-e-Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2015. In order to assess GERD symptoms, a standardized questionnaire of frequency scale (FSSG) was used before and after the intervention. Results: Regarding within-group changes, a significant decrease was observed in FSSG, dysmotility-like symptoms and acid reflux related scores in both groups of the study after the intervention compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Regarding between-group analysis, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of FSSG total scores (0.05 < P). Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, Satureja hortensis L. with the dose of 500mgthree times per day failed to improve the symptoms of GERD in adults compared to placebo. The significant reductions in the GERD scores in both groups seem to be related to the lifestyle modification that was prescribed to both groups. © 2018, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Lifestyle Methods for Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease From the Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine

Alzheimer's disease is considered as a major problem for society health since it affects interpersonal and social relationships. With regard to the global attention toward complementary medicine, search for preventive, diagnostic, and treatment strategies in complementary medicine schools such as the old dynamic doctrine of traditional Persian medicine seems to be necessary. In this type of medicine, description and analysis of the disease and preventive and treatment methods have great importance. The present study provides a useful classification of recommendations for prevention and control of Alzheimer's disease. Prevention is prior to the treatment and is easier and less costly. Recommendations mentioned in traditional Persian medicine texts for prevention of Alzheimer's disease provide fields of clinical and complementary studies for researches

Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis From the Perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine: Presentation of a Novel Therapeutic Approach

There is a strong current trend for using complementary and alternative medications to treat atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, pruritic, and inflammatory skin disease. It can have a profound, negative effect on patients' quality of life. Mild cases of atopic dermatitis can be controlled by the application of moisturizers and topical corticosteroids. However, in severe cases, application of immunosuppressive medication is unavoidable but it can have adverse effects. In traditional Persian medicine, diseases similar to resistant atopic dermatitis are treated with whey in combination with decoction of field dodder. Both whey and field dodder have anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of whey can also aid skin repair, mitigate pruritus, and help combat the high level of stress experienced by patients. Therefore, it is hypothesized that consumption of traditional medicinal treatment of whey with decoction of field dodder can be applied as a complementary treatment for atopic dermatitis

Viewpoints of Iranian Traditional Medicine about Child Nutrition

Introduction: Optimal child development necessitates proper nutrition in childhood. Despite of improvements in child nutrition, there are still lots of challenges in proper child nutrition which shows the necessity of using the Past experiences more than ever. Despite of particular interest of Iranians to cardinal humors (temperaments), unfortunately, families and medical staffs are not appropriately familiar with these important issues. Whereas Traditional Medicine tries to protect & promote health through humors and temperaments that, unfortunately, these days this issue is not considered as noteworthy matter, this study tries to bring up new dimensions of child nutrition through different attitude.   Materials and Methods: Research methodology of this study is library research which surveys principles of child nutrition on some Iranian Traditional Medicine scientists ` works.   Results: According to Iranian Traditional Medicine findings, there are particular rules in child nutrition. Some important rules are: 1-Food with special properties, play important role in child development like mutton, beans. 2-Food combination also can help child development and decrease the side effects of some foods like combination of thyme and yogurt. 3-There are simple and practical instructions in Iranian Traditional Medicine for preventing and treating some disease like common cold and viral gastroenteritis. So, use of these instructions can decrease the use of medications in children. Effectiveness of some instructions has also been approved in modern medicine. 4- Incompatible food combination is one of the important issues in child nutrition that paying attention to it can promote children health.   Conclusion: Since the physical health and mental health of children necessitate proper nutrition; families` knowledge (specially mothers) about children`s food requirements can help children to have appropriate food program. It is hoped that with further research in this field & using the scientists` experiences of Iranian Traditional medicine, we will be able to play an important role in children health who are the future of our society. Keywords: Nutrition, Children, Development, Iranian Traditional Medicin

TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF INSAR DATA TO STUDY LAND SUBSIDENCE INDUCED BY GROUNDWATER LEVEL DECLINE IN SIRJAN PLAIN

Sirjan located in Southwest of Kerman City, Iran, is a city with average annual rainfall of 132mm. Over-exploitation of groundwater used for irrigation of pistachios gardens has caused serious land subsidence in Sirjan Plain. In this research we have used the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar technique to estimate the subsidence rate in Sirjan plain. 18 Interferograms extracted from 12 ENVISAT ASAR images spanning between April 2004 and September 2010, have been studied. The SBAS algorithm was then applied in order to estimate the mean subsidence velocity map. Maximum subsidence rate is estimated as 28cm/yr. Furthermore, groundwater level fluctuations in the study area has been investigated in the piezometer wells located in the study area. Comparing between the results obtained from the interferometry and groundwater level fluctuation maps, shows a strong correlation between head decline in groundwater and land subsidence

Constipation due to Liver Disorder in Iranian Traditional Medicine`s Viewpoint

Introduction: Constipation is one of the most common pediatric disorders.In many cases, there is no anatomic endocrineor metabolic cause in explanation of chronic constipation.More than 85% of them called functional or idiopathic.Constipation is one of the serious disease in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Besides the problem it causes, chronic constipation can be the origin of many disease. That is why, ithas been called Mother of disease.The purpose of this study is to investigate the Constipation in children and the role of other organs such as the liver by view of Iranian Traditional Medicine   Materials and Method: This study is a review through Iranian traditional medicine references. At first, all the main available traditional books were reviewed. All the data about therapies of vaginal discharge in ITM were collected then classified.   Results: In traditional medicine different reasons have been mentioned for constipation especially for childrenwhich most of them are similar to etiology in Modern Medicine.Constipation due to liver disorder is one of the causes of constipation.In Iranian Traditional medicine` viewpoint, one of the mechanism for excretion is existence of secreted bile in intestine.If by any reason,measure or quality of its which secreted in intestine through bile changes or if intestinal mucous secretion becomes barrier for absorbing the food,it will caused disorder in excretion and finally will lead to constipation.Well known Iranian Traditional Medicine scientists, has mentioned all reasons for liver disorders and changing quality& quantity of secreted bile .he has mentioned the solutions as well.   Conclusion: It is hoped that by paying attention to constipation and with advanced clinical research we will be able to explain idiopathic constipation and prepare new ways of treatments for constipation. New researches have approved the effectiveness of these foods and drugs for treating the constipation.   Keywords: Constipation, Children, Liver, Iranian Traditional Medicine

An herbal formulation for hemorrhoids treatment

Background and objectives: Hemorrhoids is the most painful rectal disease. Straining and pregnancy seem playing chief roles in the development of hemorrhoids. Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include bleeding, inflammation and pain. Despite current medical efforts, many discomforts of hemorrhoids have not been handled. The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate Itrifal-e muqil (IM) tablet to achieve desired pharmaceutical properties. Method: Quality control tests of Allium ampeloperasum L, Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl., Phyllanthus emblica L., Terminalia chebula Retz. and Terminalia bellerica Retz. were performed. Afterwards, different formulations were prepared and their physical properties were evaluated. Subsequently, the formulation was coated and its physicochemical characteristics were assessed. Result: All of the herbs demonstrated good results in quality control tests according to United State Pharmacopeia (USP). Formulation-1 that was completely prepared based on explained manufacturing process of IM in traditional medicine manuscripts did not show suitable pharmaceutical properties. Among different formulations, Formulation-3 that consisted of A. ampeloperasum, C. mukul, P. emblica, T. chebula and T. bellerica, displayed best outcomes through different tests. Conclusion: Modern pharmaceutical approaches can excellently be adapted for IM preparations

Herbal medicine Davaie Loban in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: A 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: In traditional texts on herbal medicines, various medicinal plants have been noted to have beneficial effects on dementia and Alzheimer's disease. According to the traditional books Herbal medicine Davaie Loban (DL) has beneficial effects in Alzheimer's disease. The study aim was to determine the clinical efficacy of DL in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN: Double blind randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. INTERVENTIONS: This included patients older than 50 years with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease according to ADAS-cog (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale; ADAS≥12) and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB; CDR≤2). Twenty-four patients completed the study in DL group and 20 in placebo group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ADAS-cog and CDR-SOB were filled out for patients to define the improvement in memory over the study period. RESULTS: At 4 weeks and 12 weeks there was significant difference in mean (SEM) ADAS-cog scores between DL and placebo groups and it was lower in DL group (p<0.001). At baseline, no significant difference was seen regarding mean (SEM) scores of CDR-SOB between DL and placebo groups (p=0.096). However, at 4 and 12 weeks there was significant difference in mean (SE) CDR-SOB scores between DL and placebo groups and it was lower in DL group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DL may be effective in improvement of memory in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Anti-hemorrhoidal plants in Iranian traditional medicine

Background and objectives: Hemorrhoidal disease is a prevalent anorectal condition that is explained as the symptomatic expansions and displacements of the normal hemorrhoidal cushions. Symptomatic hemorrhoids affect more than one million individuals in the western world every year. Hemorrhoids is a well-known disease in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). Avicenna and other Iranian traditional practitioners have exactly defined this condition in their manuscripts and herbal therapy was the main treatment that was recommended. In the present study, medicinal plants with hemorrhoids healing properties in ITM have been investigated. Method: ITM  textbooks including “Al Qanun fi al-tibb (Canon of medicine)”, “Al-Havi (Liber continent)”, “Alabnie an haghaegh ol advieh (the Book of remedies)”, “Al-jami li-mufradat al-adviya va al-aghziya”, “Ikhtiyarat‑e‑ badiyee”, “Tohfat-ol-momenin” and “Makhzan ol advieh  were searched to find the most used herbs. Results: Some of obtained plants such as Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl., Phyllantus emblica L. and Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.,were the most used herbs. Conclusion: these plants could be introduced as the good resources for future studies in order to produce novel drugs