BACKGROUND: The history of epilepsy and its treatments dates back to at least 4 millennia. Avicenna, c. 980 AD in Bukhara, Khorasan-1037 in Hamedan was a Persian-speaking Iranian physician, who has many recommendations and suggested various therapies for epilepsy in his book, The Canon of Medicine.
METHODS: We first reviewed the most important ancient treatments for epilepsy mentioned by Avicenna and considered those as the key words for our next step. Then, we made a literature search (medline and scopus) with those key words to find out new scientific findings in modern medicine about the Avicenna\u27s suggestions.
RESULTS: Among the Avicenna\u27s recommended therapies for epilepsy, only Rue has been tested for anticonvulsant activities in modern medicine. Interestingly, it had a dose dependent anticonvulsant effect.
CONCLUSION: It is worthwhile to consider the Avicenna\u27s recommended therapies for epilepsy and to design future scientific studies based on his suggestions

Asadi-Pooya, A A

Nikseresht, A R

Yaghoubi, E

English

Jefferson Digital Commons

Thomas Jefferson UniversityJefferson Digital CommonsDepartment of Neurology Faculty Papers Department of Neurology3-1-2012Old Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna's Medicine.A A Asadi-PooyaDepartment of Epileptology, Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz, University of MedicalSciences; Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Aliakbar.Asadi-Pooya@jefferson.eduA R NiksereshtDepartment of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Immunology Research Center, Shiraz University of MedicalSciencesE YaghoubiDepartment of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesLet us know how access to this document benefits youFollow this and additional works at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/neurologyfpPart of the Neurology CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Jefferson Digital Commons. The Jefferson Digital Commons is a service of ThomasJefferson University's Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The Commons is a showcase for Jefferson books and journals, peer-reviewed scholarlypublications, unique historical collections from the University archives, and teaching tools. The Jefferson Digital Commons allows researchers andinterested readers anywhere in the world to learn about and keep up to date with Jefferson scholarship. This article has been accepted for inclusion inDepartment of Neurology Faculty Papers by an authorized administrator of the Jefferson Digital Commons. For more information, please contact:JeffersonDigitalCommons@jefferson.edu.Recommended CitationAsadi-Pooya, A A; Nikseresht, A R; and Yaghoubi, E, "Old Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna'sMedicine." (2012). Department of Neurology Faculty Papers. Paper 58.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/neurologyfp/58Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal  Iran Red Crescent Med J 2012; 14(3):174-177 ©Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal SHORT COMMUNICATIONOld Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna’s Medicine   AA Asadi-Pooya1,2*, AR Nikseresht3,4, E Yaghoubi3  1Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, 2Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA, 3Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 4Immunology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran   Abstract  Background: The history of epilepsy and its treatments dates back to at least 4 millennia. Avicenna, c. 980 AD in Bukhara, Khorasan – 1037 in Hamedan was a Persian-speaking Iranian physician, who has many recommen-dations and suggested various therapies for epilepsy in his book, The Canon of Medicine.   Methods: We first reviewed the most important ancient treatments for epilepsy mentioned by Avicenna and considered those as the key words for our next step. Then, we made a literature search (medline and scopus) with those key words to find out new scientific findings in modern medicine about the Avicenna’s suggestions.   Results: Among the Avicenna’s recommended therapies for epilepsy, only Rue has been tested for anticonvul-sant activities in modern medicine. Interestingly, it had a dose dependent anticonvulsant effect.  Conclusion: It is worthwhile to consider the Avicenna’s recommended therapies for epilepsy and to design future scientific studies based on his suggestions.  Keywords: Avicenna; Epilepsy; Treatment   Introduction  Epilepsy ranks among the most common chronic neurological disorders. The history of epilepsy and its treatments dates back to at least four millennia, to the ancient civilizations of the Middles East. Ancient physicians contributed an enormous body of knowledge about seizures, their etiology, their mani-festations, natural history and treatment. Past treat-ments have usually been empirical, reflecting the clinical observations of the ancient physicians, theo-logical views or even superstitions. These treatments consisted of prescribed diets or living conditions, me-dicinal herbs, and occasionally surgery such as blood-letting or skull trephination.1  In the past decades, many new therapies have been introduced so that there are various options available to treat epilepsy. In spite of these recent advances, a large number of patients continue to have seizures and many experience adverse effects of treatment. As a result, there is an increasing interest in complemen-tary therapies, including traditional or herbal medi-cine. In this study, we reviewed ancient treatments for epilepsy mentioned by Avicenna and compared them with the recent literature.   Materials and Methods  In this article, we reviewed the most important an-cient treatments for epilepsy mentioned by Avicenna, as the master in Iranian ancient medicine, and consid-ered his suggestions as the key words for the next step of our study. Then, we made a literature search with those key words in Medline and Scopus to find out new scientific findings in modern medicine about the Avicenna’s recommendations, in order to make suggestions to design future scientific studies based on his suggested therapies for epilepsy.     *Correspondence: Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, MD, Associate Professor of Research center for Traditional Medicine and History Medicine, Department of Neurology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Tel: +98- 9352274990,  e-mail: aliasadipooya@yahoo.com Received: August 10, 2011 Accepted: December 12, 2011 Old remedies for epilepsy  WWW.ircmj.com Vol 14 March 2012 175Results  Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina, c. 980 AD in Bukhara, Khorasan – 1037 AD in Hamedan, Iran, also known as Ibn Sina and commonly known in English by his Latinized name Avicenna, was a Per-sian-speaking Iranian, Muslim polymath and the foremost physician and islamic philosopher of his time. Avicenna wrote almost 450 treatises on a wide range of subjects, of which around 240 have survived and in particular, 40 of them concentrated on medi-cine. His most famous medical work is The Canon of Medicine, which was a standard medical text at many islamic and European universities until the early 18th century. Avicenna developed a medical system that combined his own personal experience with that of islamic medicine, the medical system of the Greek physician Galen, and ancient Persian, Mesopotamian and Indian medicine. Avicenna is regarded as a father of early modern medicine [pro-posals/Avicenna/Avicenna - Wikipedia, the free en-cyclopedia.mht].  Avicenna has many recommendations and sug-gested various therapies for patients with epilepsy in his book, The Canon of Medicine, some of these in-clude:  A. Beneficial Therapies for Epilepsy 1- Rue2: Rue (Ruta) is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs, in the family Rutaceae. In one study, the effects of an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Ruta chalepensis on the central nervous sys-tem (CNS) were studied in mice. A crude extract was given systemically and its effects were tested on pen-tylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, sodium pen-tobarbital-induced hypnosis, exploratory activity, anxiety and nociception. A delay in the onset of sei-zures and a dose-dependent suppression in the tonic phase and mortality induced by PTZ, a prolongation of the time of sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis, a significant attenuation in the anxiety-response and a reduction in the licking time and shaking behavior in the formalin-induced nociception test have been ob-served. The sedative-hypnotic potentiation, anxiolyt-ic, anticonvulsant and antinociceptive effects sug-gested that Ruta chalepensis induces a depressant ac-tivity on the CNS.3 2- Chives2: Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are the smallest species of the onion family. The medical properties of chives are similar to those of garlic. It containes many organosulfide compounds, vitamins A and C, and trace amounts of sulfur and iron. One study indicated that extracts from all plant organs ex-hibited antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the leaves.4 Epidemiologic and laboratory studies suggested that allium vegeta-bles and garlic constituents had antitumor effects.5 The probable antiepileptic properties of this plant have never been tested in the modern medicine. 3- Savory2: Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) is the better known of the Savory species. This herb has traditionally been used in treatment of cardiovascular diseases and thrombosis. In one study, it was observed that in addition to alteration of cell adhesive properties, self aggregation and protein secretion of the treated platelets were also affected upon treatment with the crude methanol extract of this plant.6 In another study, both the ethanolic extract and the essential oil of the plant reversed the oxidative damage to rat lymphocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide.7 It also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities,8 antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory effects,9 antispasmodic and anti-diarrheal properties.10 Satureja hortensis has a strong inhibitory effect on aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus.11 The probable antiepileptic properties of this plant have never been tested in the modern medicine. 4- Wormwood2: Artemisia arborescens (Sheeba in Arabic) is a very bitter herb indigenous to the Middle East. Thujone, camphor and chamazulene account for about 75% of its oil.12 This plant has antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2.13 In one animal study, the aqueous extract of this plant caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the phasic contractions and in the tone of the ileum.14 This plant has been employed for the treatment of several dis-eases such as malaria, hepatitis, cancer, inflammation and infections sustained by fungi or bacteria.13 The probable antiepileptic properties of this plant have never been tested in the modern medicine. 5- Dill2: Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a short-lived annual herb. This plant has significant lipid lowering effects.15 Dill has some effects on the female reproductive system and can be used either as a regulatory agent of the menstrual cycle for women with irregular cycles or as an antifertility agent.16 It also has antimicrobial activity17,18 and significant mucosal protective and antisecretory effects in the gastric mucosa.19 The probable antiepileptic properties of this plant have never been tested in the modern medicine. 6- Hyssop2: Hyssop (Hyssopus) is a genus of about 10-12 species of herbaceous or semi-woody Asadi-Pooya et al.  WWW.ircmj.com Vol 14 March 2012 176plants in the family Lamiaceae. Hyssop oil is an im-portant food additive and herbal medicine.20 Hyssop is a source of natural antioxidants and its extract may inhibit the digestion of complex carbohydrates, but not that of absorbable monosaccharide, and might be a useful supplemental food for hyperglycemia.21 Hys-sop officinalis extracts exhibit strong anti-HIV activi-ty, and may be useful in the treatment of patients with AIDS.22 The probable antiepileptic properties of this plant have never been tested in the modern medicine. 7- Truffle, wild boar meat, phelebotomy, and bal-anced diet2 are among other remedies for epilepsy recommended by Avicenna. The probable antiepilep-tic properties of these have never been tested in the modern medicine era.  B. Avicenna's Recommendations with Regard to Sei-zure Precipitating Factors Seizures often occur spontaneously without apparent inciting cause in most individuals, but many patients believe that their seizures are precipitated by external or internal stimuli. Some of these precipitating factors have been well defined in the recent literature. These include sleep deprivation, excess alcohol intake, premature awakening, psychological stress, prolonged fasting, physical exhaustion, and photic stimulation.23 Knowing which factors might precipitate seizures could help gain a better understanding of how some seizures might be avoided in certain individuals. Avicenna has suggest-ed that patients with epilepsy should avoid precipitat-ing factors for seizures, some of those include 1- Al-cohol, 2- Overfeeding, 3- Sleep deprivation and 4- Oversleeping. Overfeeding and oversleeping have not been men-tioned and studied as probable seizure precipitating factors in the recent literature.   Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Studies  Among the Avicenna’s recommended therapies for epilepsy, only Rue has been tested for anticonvulsant activities in modern medicine. Interestingly, it had a dose dependent anticonvulsant effect. Indeed, nature has served as a rich source of drugs for centuries and an impressive number of modern drugs have been derived from natural sources, notably of plant origin. We believe it is worthwhile to consider the Avicen-na’s recommended therapies for epilepsy and to de-sign future scientific studies based on his suggested therapies for epilepsy, as he was a famous scientist and physician with extraordinary observations and experiences.   Acknowledgement  This work has been supported by a grant funded by Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.  Conflict of interest: None declared.   References      1 Gross RA. A brief history of epilepsy and its therapy in the western hemi-sphere. Epil Res 1992;12:65-74. [1396542] [doi.org/10.1016/09 20-1211(92)90028-R] 2 Avicenna. The cannon of medicine, translated from Arabic to Persian by Abdulrahman Sharaf-kandi. 4th ed. Tehran: Soroush (IRIB) Publications; 1991; p. 144-156. 3 Gonzalez-Trujano ME, Carrera D, Ventura-Martinez R, Cedillo-Portugal E, Navarrete A. Neuropharmacologi-cal profile of an ethanol extract of Ruta chalepensis L. in mice. J Eth-nopharmacol 2006;106:129-35. [164 42764] [doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005. 12.014] 4 Stajner D, Canadanović-Brunet J, Pavlović A. Allium schoenoprasum L., as a natural antioxidant. Phy-tother Res 2004;18:522-4. [1530 5309] [doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1472] 5 Hsing AW, Chokkalingam AP, Gao YT, Madigan MP, Deng J, Gridley G, Fraumeni JF Jr. Allium vegeta-bles and risk of prostate cancer: a population-based study. J Natl Can-cer Inst 2002;94:1648-51. [1241979 2] [doi.org/10.1093/jnci/94.21.1648] 6 Shahriyary L, Yazdanparast R. Inhi-bition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation and secretion by Arte-misia dracunculus leaves extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;114:194-8. [17855029] [doi.org/10.1016/j.jep. 2007.07.029] 7 Mosaffa F, Behravan J, Karimi G, Iranshahi M. 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Old Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna\u27s Medicine.

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Old Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna\u27s Medicine.

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