Combination of Nigella sativa and honey in eradication of gastric helicobacter pylori infection

Background: Gastric Helicobacter pylori is extremely common worldwide. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of combination of Nigella sativa and honey (Dosin) in eradication of gastric H. pylori infection. Patients and Methods: Nineteen patients who had positive result for H. pylori infection by urea breath test (UBT) without a past history of peptic ulcer, gastric cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding, were suggested to receive one teaspoon of the mixture of Dosin (6 g/day of N. sativa as ground seeds and 12 g/day of honey) three times a day after meals for two weeks. The second UBT was used to detect the presence of H. pylori four weeks after completion of the test. In addition, symptoms of dyspepsia were scored before and after the study and analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test Results: Fourteen patients completed the study. Negative UBT was observed in 57.1 (8/14) of participants after intervention. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of total dyspepsia symptoms was significantly reduced from 5.5 (5 -12) to 1 (0 -4) (P = 0.005). All the patients tolerated Dosin except for one who was excluded due to mild diarrhea. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Dosin was concluded to be an anti H. pylori and an anti-dyspeptic agent. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of Dosin plus antibiotics (concurrently or following another) on gastric H. pylori infection. � 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Attitude and practice of diabetic patients towards complementary/alternative medicine and related factors, Sari, 2014-2015

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) and related factors in diabetic patients attending diabetes clinics in Sari and their attitudes and satisfaction. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the use of CAM methods, attitude and satisfaction of 270 diabetic patients, were assessed by a questionnaire. The t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the related factors. Results: Among the participants 99 (36.6) had used at least one of the CAM methods in the year before the study. The most commonly used CAM were medicinal plants (n= 85 patients), cupping (n= 14), acupuncture (n= 11), bloodletting (n= 5), and massage (n= 1). The most common herbs were nettle, fenugreek, barberry, cinnamon, and green tea. More than 51 of patients expressed their satisfaction with the effects of these methods and over 67 were willing to use them again. There was a positive attitude towards CAM methods in 47 patients (17.4). A significant correlation was observed between the use of these methods and marriage (P= 0.02), duration of disease (P=0.01) and duration of treatment (P=0.02). Conclusion: In our study, the use of non-conventional methods in diabetic patients was found to be common which was related to duration of diabetes and its therapy. More studies are needed to evaluate the effects, side effects and interactions of these methods with conventional methods in treatment of diabetes. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Abu-Sahl al-Masihi (died circa 1010 AD): The Persian physician in the early medieval era

In the early medieval era, in the time which is called the Islamic Golden Age, medicine flourished through the practice of Persian physicians (9th to 12th century AD). Abu-Sahl al-Masihi (died circa 1010 AD) was one of the physicians in that period who had great influence on the progress of medicine by his own writings as well as his influence on great scholars like Biruni and Avicenna as their teacher. He was a polymath and had many writings in various fields of science, in particular medical sciences. Some of his manuscripts in medicine were Al-Mia fil-Tibb (Book of the Hundred), Kitab al-Teb al-Koli (The General Medicine), Ezhar al-Hekmat Allah Ta�ala fi Khalgh al-Ensan (God�s Mystery on the Creation of Man), Resalat al-Adwiya (Treatise of Drugs), Osool Elm Nabz (the Principles of Pulse), and Resala f ī Taḥqiq Amral-Wabaʾ (On the determination of the matter of infectious diseases). As a sign of his impact in Persian medicine, many later physicians (until 19th century) referred to and cited his works in their manuscripts several times. © The Author(s) 2018

Interventions of Iranian traditional medicine for constipation during pregnancy

Background:Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy. Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) has some recommendations for this complaint. Objective: In this study, interventions of constipation in pregnancy have been presented and their efficacy and safety evidence were reviewed from modern literature. Methods: Interventions selected based upon the chapters related to health protection of pregnant women from ITM literature. Then a literature search was performed in the scientific databases including articles from inception up to March 2014. Articles with a focus on safety or efficacy of the selected herbs during animal or human pregnancy were selected. Results: Folus (Cassia fistula), Shir-khesht (Cotoneaster numularia Fisch.), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Taranjabin (Alhagi camelorum), Damask rose (Rosa damascene) and almond oil are the most recommended medications for constipation in pregnant women. For all of these herbs, there is some efficacy evidence in animal or human studies. Folus is forbidden during pregnancy due to its anthraquinones ingredients. Shir-Khesht was safe in a study to treatment of constipation in pregnant women. The other mentioned herbs have not been evaluated during pregnancy. There is limited evidence to provide safe advice for consuming these herbs for constipation during pregnancy. Conclusion: Although there are some animal and human study suggesting the laxative effect of ITM interventions, their safety are not sufficiently documented in modern literature. Scientific studies regarding these herbal remedies during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome are warranted to determine safety

Effects of Rosa canina L. fruit on glycemia and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Rosa canina L. (rose hip) has been traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus in Iran. However, no scientific human study has determined its efficacy in diabetic patients. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of R. canina fruit aqueous extract in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 35-60 years with fasting blood glucose levels between 130 to 200 mg/dL and HbA1c between 7-9 despite using conventional oral hypoglycemic drugs were divided randomly to two groups. Two groups of 25 and 23 patients completing the trial received 750 mg R. canina fruit extract and 750 mg toast powder as placebo two times a day respectively for three months. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as primary outcomes and postprandial blood glucose (PBG), lipid profile and hepatic and renal function tests as secondary outcomes were determined at baseline and at endpoint of treatment. The patients were asked to note down any gastrointestinal or other side effects during the study. Results: The FBG level decreased significantly (P = 0.002) in R. canina group after 3 months compared to the baseline. In addition total cholesterol/HDL-C was significantly (P = 0.02) decreased in the R. canina group compared to the baseline. Other blood parameters were not significantly changed during the study compared with placebo and baseline. No serious side effects were reported in both groups during the study. Conclusion: Rosa canina 3-month administration to type 2 diabetic patients may reduce fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol/HDL-C without any side effect