Remedies in asthma treatment: Introduce a new remedy from perspective of Persian medicine

BackgroundAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Mucus plug formation, oxidative stress, swelling of the airway walls, inflammatory process and vascular changes are important events in asthma pathogenesis.AimsAlthough bronchodilators and steroids are two main drugs in asthma treatment, many adults and children still use complementary and alternative (CAM) medicine. This study was conducted to determine the most popular remedies in asthma treatment from perspective of Traditional Persian medicine (TPM) manuscripts.Methods The main Traditional Persian textbooks from the 9th to 18th centuries AD were collected and analysed. Thereafter, the most listed plants in asthma treatment were gathered. The plants in this list were searched and compared in recent studies. Results Some of these plants have anti- inflammatory and anti- oxidant effects; a few of them have undergone animal or human researches in conventional medicine.ConclusionAccording to long history of medicine in Persia the collected list of remedies could be helpful in selecting plants for future studies in asthma treatment

Investigating the effectiveness of the Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds in mild asthma: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Asthma is one of the important chronic diseases. The asthma prevalence is increasing in last decades. Despite the presence of good controller drugs like corticosteroids, about 60% of asthmatic patients use alternative medicine. This study was done to determine the effectiveness of Tregonella foenum graceum (fenugreek) seeds in mild asthma. Methods It is a double blind trial with placebo effect. One of the ancient prescriptions from Persian Medicine was selected. The participants were divided to three groups randomly. On group received fenugreek syrup one received honey syrup and the third received placebo. Duration of treatment was 4 weeks. Quality of life, Lung function tests and IL-4 levels were evaluated before and after treatment. Results From 90 participants to study 79 completed the process. After study there was significant increase in quality of the life and lung function tests and IL-4 levels in fenugreek and honey groups. Conclusion FEV1 level was improved more than 10% in fenugreek group. Treatment was well tolerated. No serious side effects were reported during the study. The aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds appears to be effective and safe in treatment of mild asthma. Trial registration The study was recorded with the Iranian Registry of Clinical trials [http://www.irci.ir], registration code: IRCT2016011325991N

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Additional file 1. SPIRIT 2013 CHECKLIST is recommended to address items in study protocol and related documents