Liver function and anemia pathogenesis in Iranian traditional medicine

Background: Nutritional deficiency, bleeding, and inflammation are three main causes of anemia. On the other hand, erythropoietin (EPO) production, iron availability, and a healthy bone marrow are essential for erythropoiesis. Recently, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been used to treat the patients already taking iron supplements. In Iranian traditional medicine literature, much has been written about anemia and its treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to review Iranian traditional medicine theories in the treatment of anemia. Materials and Methods: In the present study, authors have attempted to find the etiology and pathogenesis of anemia in Iranian traditional Medicine Literature and the views of ancient physicians in this field. Results: Our findings proved that Iranian traditional medicine defined anemia as blood humor production dysfunction, which is caused by several reasons mainly hepatic dysfunction. Thus, liver is supposed to be the most important organ in this regard. This will make considering hepatoprotective medicines in anemia even in patients with non-hepatic problems. Conclusions: The article presents the relation between anemia and liver dysfunction viewed by Iranian traditional medicine as an important finding in designing a treatment plan. Despite the new findings on the evaluation of liver function (i.e. laboratory tests), it seems that further studies for earlier evaluation of liver function in anemia are highly required. © 2015 Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Formation of Argon Cluster with Proton Seeding

We employ force-field molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the kinetics of nucleation to new liquid or solid phases in a dense gas of particles, seeded with ions. We use precise atomic pair interactions, with physically correct long-range behavior, between argon atoms and protons. Time-dependence of molecular cluster formation is analyzed at different proton concentration, temperature and argon gas density. The modified phase transitions with proton seeding of the argon gas are identified and analyzed. The seeding of the gas enhances the formation of nano-size atomic clusters and their aggregation. The strong attraction between protons and bath gas atoms stabilizes large nano-clusters and the critical temperature for evaporation. An analytical model is proposed to describe the stability of argon-proton droplets, and is compared with the molecular dynamics simulations.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Flixweed vs. polyethylene glycol in the treatment of childhood functional constipation: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is often considered as the first-line treatment for functional constipation in children. Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb et Berth (D. sophia) is a safe recommended medicine in Iranian folk and Traditional Persian Medicine for the treatment of constipation. Objectives: To clinically compare D. sophia with PEG 4000 (without electrolyte) in pediatric constipation and to assess its efficacy and side effects. Patients and Methods: 120 patients aged 2 - 12 years with constipation for at least 3 months were included in an 8 weeks lasting randomized controlled trial within two parallel-groups. Children received either PEG, 0.4 g/kg/day, or D. sophia seeds, 2 grams (for children aged 2 - 4 years) and 3 grams (for those aged > 4 years) per day. Results: A total of 109 patients completed the study (56 in D. sophia and 53 in PEG group). At the end of the study, 36 (64.3) patients in D. sophia group and 29 (54.7) in PEG group were out of Rome III criteria (P = 0.205). Median weekly stool frequency in 0, 1, 2, 3 weeks of the treatment was found to be 2, 5, 5, 5 in D. sophia and 3, 4, 4, 5 in PEG group (P = 0.139, 0.076, 0.844, 0.294), respectively. The number of patients who suffered flatulence was less (5, 8.9) in D. sophia group as compared to PEG group (6, 11.3) at the end of the trial (P = 0.461). D. sophia taste was less tolerated. Conclusions: D. sophia is introduced as a cheap and available medication which can be applied as a safe alternative to conventional PEG in the management of pediatric chronic functional constipation. © 2015, Growth & Development Research Center

Effect of Roasting on Fatty Acid Profile of Brown and Yellow Varieties of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L)

Purpose: To monitor changes in fatty acid profiles of brown and yellow varieties of flaxseeds in the raw and roasted states using gas chromatography (GC).Methods: Samples of flaxseeds were extracted with n-hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus for 8 h. Methylesterification of the samples was performed by methanolic boron trifluoride (BF3-MeOH) method according to American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS). Fatty acid (FA), analyzed using GC equipped with a split/splitless capillary injector and flame ionization detector (FID).Results: The results indicate that lipid content varied with the type of seed. Seed oil content was 53.31 ± 0.30 and 45.20 ± 0.20 % for roasted and unroasted brown flax, respectively, and 10.25 ± 0.04 % for the yellow type. The yellow and roasted brown type, at 300oC, showed the lowest and highest oil content, respectively. The highest calculated oxidizability (COX) value was found for the unroasted brown type (13.19 ± 0.01 %) whilst the lowest amount was observed for the roasted brown seed at 350oC (12.79 ± 0.01 %). COX value for yellow type was 5.62 ± 0.01 %.Conclusion: This study shows that the fatty acids content of flaxseeds vary with roasting conditions. This is significant because flax seed fatty acid composition influences the applications of the oil.Keywords: Oil, Flaxseed, Roasting, Fatty acid, Linum usitatissimum, Calculated oxidizability valu

Effect of oral herbal medicament on scalp seborrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms in a male patient: A case report

A 32-yr-old man with a 10-yr history of scalp seborrhea referred to Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran, Iran, in 2015. He suffered from scalp seborrhea. Concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms and the changes in the clinical symptoms after consumption of the polyherbal traditional drug called Triphala are discussed. The scalp sebum was measured with a Sebumeter SM815. Gastrointestinal symptoms were followed using a valid questionnaire. After two months of treatment, scalp sebum secretion had decreased substantially. The patient also experienced remarkable improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms. Considering the positive effect of this known and safe polyherbal drug on skin sebum, it is an appropriate option for detailed large-scale clinical trials. © 2018, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

Investigating the prevalence of sleep disorder and the impact of sweet almond on the quality of sleep in students of Tehran, Iran

Background: Insomnia is an important problem in medical sciences students and has implications for their educational progress. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders and investigating the impact of sweet almond on quality of sleep in students of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran who live in dormitories. Methods: This is a before-after study conducted in 2017. At first, using the ISI questionnaire prevalence of sleep disorders was determined. Sweet almond was the study intervention. Each day, 10 almonds were given to 446 students for 14 d. At the end of the second week, again ISI questionnaire was filled. SPSS was used to analyze data. The McNemar, Wilcoxson Signed Ranks, and Repeated Measures tests were used. Results: Out of 442 participants, 217 (49.1) were female. Before intervention, 343 (77.6) had insomnia and 99 (22.4) had normal sleep. After intervention, 306 (69.2) had insomnia and 136 (30.8) had normal sleep. Having sweet almond for two weeks is associated with reducing insomnia (P<0.05). Investigating the almond impact in different categories also showed that it has a reducing impact on severe, mild, weak and normal sleep categories (P<0.05). Conclusion: Sweet almond has impacts on quality of sleep of those students of the TUMS that are living in dormitories. Intervention programs to improve quality of sleep are necessary and with regard to the high prevalence of insomnia, students must be protected, guided and consulted. © 2019, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

Non-Hermitian Hamiltonian versus E=0 localized states

We analyze the zero energy solutions, of a two dimensional system which undergoes a non-radial symmetric, complex potential V(r,$\phi$). By virtue of the coherent states concept, the localized states are constructed, and the consequences of the imaginary part of the potential are found both analytically and schematically.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

Designing mucoadhesive discs containing stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba based on Iranian traditional documents

Objective (s): Mucoadhesive disc is one of the various routes of drug delivery for curing buccal disease. Materials and Methods: Every discs containing 70 mg stem bark extract of Ziziphus jujuba were formulated by using Carbopol 934, PVP k30 and gelatin as polymers. Discs were made by granulation and direct compression. Discs were standardized based on the total phenol. Properties such as in vitro and in vivo mucoadhesion, drug release, water uptake, and disintegration were carried out. Results: Discs showed excellent mucoadhesion and released high amount of the active ingredients (47) immediately and completed after approximately the first hour. They had a good adhesion in buccal cavity. Conclusion: This study showed that the kinetics of release of the active substance from the mucoadhesive disc obeyed the zero order kinetic and didn�t follow the fick�s law. The water uptake and dissolution (DS), increased with the passing of time. © 2016, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Constipation and laxative herbs in Iranian traditional medicine

Context: Constipation is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders and is characterized by stiffness of waste and difficult defecation. In modern medicine, different laxative drugs are used for the treatment of constipation, but they are not without side effects. Nonetheless, the appropriate use of herbal medicines can be beneficial for treating this disorder. Therefore, this study attempted to draw together some pharmacological and medical insights into the management of constipation through the use of Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). Evidence Acquisition: In this review article, we initially researched constipation and laxative herbs using some of the most famous ancient medical and pharmacological textbooks pertaining to Iranian medicine written from the 10th to 18th century AD. This includes The canon of medicine by Avicenna (10th and 11th centuries, Beirut publication), Makhzan-ol-advie by Aghili (18th century, Tehran University of Medical Science Press), and Al-shamel by Gharashi (13th century, Caltural foundation Publication). Then we extracted the names and laxative mechanisms of some herbs prescribed for constipation through ITM. Finally, a search of scientific databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to find related works concerning laxative mechanisms. Results: In ITM doctrine, laxatives are weak purgatives that lead to the defecation of waste from the gastrointestinal tract. From this perspective, laxative herbs can be classified into two groups based on their nature: laxative herbs with a hot nature cause the dilution and flowing of humors, but herbs with a cold nature function as laxatives due to their mucilage properties. Each of the laxatives was used in accordance with the primary reason for constipation. Conclusions: This study presents medical and pharmacological approaches in ITM for dealing with complications arising from constipation. Considering the optimistic results, these herbs can be used as a means of constipation management and further investigation into this area can potentially lead to the formulation of new drugs. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal