Evidence-Based Medicine in Iranian Schools of Traditional Medicine According to Experts

Background & Objective: Most experts of Iranian traditional medicine believe that it is absolutely necessary and inevitable to update the field to utilize evidence in education of Iranian traditional medicine students and treatment of its patients. In this regard, this study attempted to evaluate utilization of evidence-based medicine (EBM) in the curriculum of School of Iranian Traditional Medicine. Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured, individual, and face-to-face interviews were done to collect Iranian traditional medicine expert’s point of views in regard to EBM. Content analysis was done to analyze the data. Results: The study findings were classified in two major categories including EBM in the curriculum of Iranian traditional medicine, and EBM application in Iranian School of Traditional Medicine. The sub-categories were also mentioned. Conclusion: Although some sections of PhD program in traditional medicine are related to evidence based medicine, it is not satisfying yet. Therefore, the concept and principles of evidence based practice should be included in theory and practice. Keywords Evidence-based medicine Iranian traditional medicine Curriculu

A Randomized Clinical Trial Study: Anti-Oxidant, Anti-hyperglycemic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects of Olibanum Gum in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract Diabetes is a common metabolic disease in the world that has many adverse effects. Olibanum gum resin (from trees of the genus Boswellia) has traditionally been used in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes. The aim of this study was the comparison of Olibanum gum resin effect with placebo on the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria was diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar (FBS) =140-200 mg/dL. This study has been designed as double-blined clinical trial on 71 patients with type 2 diabetes and the patients randomly were divided to interventional and placebo groups. The patients on standard antidiabetic therapy (metformin) treated with Olibanum gum resin (400 mg caps) and placebo tow times per day for 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of the twelfth week, the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, total Cholesterol (Chol), LDL, Triglyceride (TG), HDL and other parameters were measured. The Olibanum gum resin lowered the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, Chol, LDL and TG levels significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p <0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) without any significant effects on the other blood lipid levels and liver/kidney function tests (p > 0.05) compared with the placebo at the endpoint. Moreover, this plant showed anti-oxidant effect and also no adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that Olibanum gum resin could be used as a safe anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients. Keywords: Olibanum gum resin; Diabetes; Hyperglycemia; Hyperlipidemia; Patients

Criteria for Evidence-based Practice in Iranian Traditional Medicine

The major difference between Iranian traditional medicine and allopathic medicine is in the application  of  evidence  and  documents.  In  this  study,  criteria  for  evidence-based  practice  in  Iranian traditional medicine and its rules of practice were studied. The experts’ views were investigated through in- depth, semi-structured interviews and the results were categorized into four main categories including Designing clinical questions/clinical question-based search, critical appraisal, resource search criteria and clinical prescription appraisal. Although the application of evidence in Iranian traditional medicine follows Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) principles but it benefits from its own rules, regulations, and criteria that are compatible with EBM