Traditional and Integrative Medicine

Enhancing Flexibility through Chinese Auriculotherapy: Investigating the Impact on Sit and Reach Test – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:29 +0000

Chinese auriculotherapy (CA) is a technique that is part of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture techniques have been utilized in physical practices to enhance performance and manage pain. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether CA can enhance performance in stretching exercises. Thus, this study aims to determine if CA can have an ergogenic effect on the sit and reach test and to evaluate the impact of CA on pain perception and effort during the test. Our hypotheses is that CA will positively influence performance in the sit and reach test by reducing pain perception through the implemented protocol. The study employed a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. The sample consisted of 15 individuals (12 women and 3 men, mean age 22.33 ± 6.4 years, BMI 23.43 ± 4.24). The participants underwent a flexibility assessment protocol using the sit and reach test under three different conditions: I) CA protocol; II) CA placebo protocol (CAP); III) control group without any therapeutic intervention (CG). Subjective pain and effort perception were evaluated using the CR-10 Borg scale. A statistical difference was observed between CA vs. CAP and CA vs. CG in the sit and reach test. No statistical changes were found for the other variables and conditions studied. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Therefore, CA can enhance performance in the sit and reach test; however, the mechanisms responsible for this improvement are still unclear.

Comparability of Traditional Persian Medicine with the New Concepts of Personal and Precision Medicine: A Qualitative Study

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:35 +0000

Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) has a thousand-year history and a holistic approach that respects personal characteristics in its diagnosis and management. The objective of this study was to explore the concepts of personal and precision medicine in traditional Persian and modern medicine. A qualitative study design with a content analysis approach was conducted. Purposive and snowball sampling approaches were used to select participants. Then, we approached experts in various fields, including TPM, genetics, epidemiology, physiology, pharmacy, and general medicine. In the beginning, we summarized the concept of personalized medicine (PM) and asked them how many similarities and differences they might find between TPM and PM. A semi-structured questionnaire with six parts was used to collect data. The duration of each interview varied from 30 to 65 min. The interviews and experts’ viewpoints were recorded via an online platform and transcribed verbatim. The data analysis process involved several sequential steps: initial familiarization, coding, theme generation, theme review, theme definition and naming, and final writing. After coding all texts and extracting issues, categories and conceptual frameworks were created by interpreting the content. To analyze the data, the content analysis approach assisted by MAXQDA 2018 software was used. More than 70% of participants showed a favorable attitude in all evaluated parts. Approximately 80% of participants agreed that there are parallels between TPM and precision medicine; for example, in TPM and precision medicine, patients are treated with respect to their characteristics. More than 80% of participants thought temperamentology may help with patient diagnosis and treatment. They also suggested that TPM concepts could be used to improve and accelerate the implementation of precision medicine. The majority of participants acknowledged the use of phenotypes to reduce the reliance on genetics in precision medicine. However, several participants expressed skepticism. According to the participants, these concepts will not be beneficial unless TPM aligns with modern medicine. In addition, there must be scientific evidence confirming the association between different genes and temperaments. The advent of precision medicine does not mean disregarding TPM; rather, the concepts of TPM can be used in precision medicine. For example, phenotype can assist in reducing the reliance on genetics in precision medicine. Because phenotype, as an important concept in TPM, is the external manifestation of the genotype. In addition, like precision medicine, TPM can help to provide personalized medical treatment based on people's temperament.

Persian Medicine Standard Terminology

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:41 +0000

Persian Medicine (PM) is an ancient and holistic healthcare approach that has been practiced for thousands of years. While PM is often considered to be a traditional or alternative form of medicine, it has a rich history and a wealth of knowledge that can be of great value in contemporary medical practice. It encompasses a wide range of medical practices, including herbal medicine, dietary therapy, manual intervention, and lifestyle modification. Despite its long history and widespread use, there is a lack of standardized terminology in PM, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication among practitioners and patients. The Persian Medicine standard terminology provides a framework for understanding Persian medical concepts and terminology and can serve as a bridge between traditional and modern medicine. Therefore, to systematize the use of Persian medicine standard terminology, a working group was formed in the Persian Medicine Office of the Iranian Ministry of Health. After gathering opinions from experts in Persian medicine and the English language, a set of commonly used words was identified for the project. The first step of the project includes 100 standardized terms which are presented in this paper.

Efficacy of a Persian-Based Method of Needling on Clinical Symptoms of Patients with COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:47 +0000

COVID-19 is a pandemic viral infection that has become a challenge for health systems worldwide having no definite antiviral treatment yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a Persian-based method of needling (Ghamz with needle) on the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients as a pilot study. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial involving hospitalized adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) by rRT-PCR method using a nasal swab. Nineteen patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to receive Ghamz with needle in the intervention group and sham treatment group. The procedure was performed in six points (three bilateral), based on traditional Persian medicine (TPM) texts, compatible with LU5, LU7, and SP6 Chinese points with a duration of 20 minutes, every day, till the patients were discharged from the hospital. The clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and radiological findings were evaluated before and after the interventions in both groups. The results revealed that after comparing the values of the change in the study parameters, despite the significant improvement in the dyspnea (p=0.037) and O₂ saturation (p=0.044) of the Ghamz group, no statistically significant difference was observed between Ghamz and sham groups using a visual analog scale (dyspnea: MD: -3.66, 95% CI: -6.49 to 0.84 vs MD: -2.20, 95% CI: -4.60 to 0.20, p= 0.217; O₂ saturation: (MD: 2.61, 95% CI: -1.97 to 14.02 vs MD:4.50, 95% CI: -0.49 to 9.49, p=0.163). The radiological findings showed a better improvement in the intervention group than in the sham treatment group. In conclusion, Ghamz with needle in the mentioned points was not effective significantly in relieve the symptoms of the patients with COVID-19. However, further studies with larger samples are recommended.

The Impact of Tadbir as a Pre-Application Treatment of Medicinal Plants on Their Chemical Profiles and Biological Activities in Traditional Persian Pharmacy

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:52 +0000

Based on basic traditional medicine practice, many plants undergo primary treatments to improve their pharmacological characteristics or to attenuate unwanted or unfavorable features of drugs before incorporating them into drug formulations. These treatments are called “Tadbir” in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). The purpose of these processes includes but is not limited to eliminating unnecessary compounds, excluding harmful properties such as toxicity and poignancy, and improving their overall natural properties and effectiveness. Here, the effect of vinegar and acetic acid treatment on three herbal specimens, including Carum carvi L. fruits (CC), Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague fruits (TA), and Nigella sativa L. seeds (NS) were investigated. The treated and non-treated samples were subjected to essential oil and methanol extraction. Further, to assess the alterations in the essential oil constituents caused by Tadbir, samples were analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and HPTLC fingerprinting techniques. Total phenol and flavonoid content and DPPH free radical scavenging activity of methanol extracts were evaluated. As a result of the treatments, TA extracts showed significant rise in phenol and flavonoid contents. Total phenol content increased from 98.50±1.01 in non-treated increased to 181.20±0.27 mg GAE/g Ext. in the vinegar-treated TA fruit extract and total flavonoid showed a rise from 8.97±1.12 to 12.89±0.41 mg QE/g Ext. This may be the reason behind its lower IC₅₀ values in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Interestingly, Tadbir treatment of TA fruits with 4% acetic acid, lowered the IC₅₀ value from 1019.42±75.65µg/mL in non-treated control to 274.2±17.22 µg/mL; while vinegar caused a lower degree of reduction in IC₅₀ value (369.4±5.54 µg/mL) in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. However, CC fruit extracts, showed a decrease in phenolic content; while demonstrating an increase in flavonoids. Interestingly, phenol and flavonoid contents were significantly enhanced in treated NS seed extracts. The results of all extracts were found significantly different (p<0,05) from each other and the non-treated control. The conclusive results of the present study may partly justify the pre-application of Tadbir treatments of medicinal plants in traditional pharmacy.

Traditional Thai Compress Therapy for Pain Relief and Enhanced Physical Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:58 +0000

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent inflammatory condition that impacts the joints, resulting in sensations of discomfort, reduced mobility, and localized edema. This study investigates the efficacy of Traditional Thai Compress therapy in mitigating pain and enhancing physical functioning among persons diagnosed with RA. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). There are the groups where the participants were randomly assigned—each group comprises 141 individuals. To address the possibility of bias and to uphold the objectivity in the research investigation, blinding methods were employed for both therapists and assessors. This study used three questionnaires: the Demographic Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) for evaluating physical activity levels. After one month of implementing the therapy, there were no notable differences observed in the control group. Additionally, it is worth noting that the intervention group displayed a difference that has been determined to be significant from a statistical standpoint in the level of pain and physical activity ratings among all categories (p < 0.001). The Traditional Thai Compress has been found to provide substantial empirical data that supports its therapeutic efficacy in reducing pain and enhancing physical functionality in individuals diagnosed with RA.

Effects of the Polyherbal Wattana Formula on Food Intake, Intestinal Transit, and Ileum Contraction in Wistar Rats

Pinpat Tripatara, Pruksa Chotitham, Tassanee Paraput, Pravit Akarasereenont — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:04 +0000

The polyherbal Wattana formula (WNF) has been used in traditional practice for over 30 years to promote health and prevent age-related issues. However, no scientific evidence supports its efficacy, including its impact on the gastrointestinal system in older individuals. This study examined the effects of WNF on intestinal transit, body weight, and food intake in Wistar rats that received oral WNF at doses of 100, 300, or 1000 mg/kg for 14 days. Following treatment, the small intestine was isolated, and intestinal transit was assessed via charcoal meal travel distance. Compared to the vehicle, 1000 mg/kg WNF significantly reduced intestinal transit in the charcoal meal test and decreased body weight. Additionally, 600 µg/mL WNF extract impeded acetylcholine-induced ileum smooth muscle contraction ex vivo. WNF at all doses demonstrated no effects on food intake. Our findings suggest that WNF may have potential antidiarrheal effects and benefits in weight management and abdominal spasm reduction.

Bitter Taste in the Treatment of Heart Diseases from Avicenna’s Point of View

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:16 +0000

The function of bitter taste due to the existence of too much of its receptor on many extra-oral tissues is not only related to the oral cavity, but is effective in many physiological functions. More than ten centuries ago, Avicenna (980–1032 CE), a Persian physician, pointed to the effects and functions of various tastes in the body. In this research, we examined the heart medicines mentioned by Avicenna, relying on their taste, especially the bitter taste. The books used in the case of Persian Medicine included the following: Qanun Fi al-Teb (Canon of Medicine), Manafe-al-Aghzieh va Daf-e-Mazareha and Treatise on Cardiac Drugs. In addition, articles published in English in the last 10 years were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase. Vasodilation, inotropic effects, cardio-protection, digital like effect, reducing the accumulation of calcium and nitric oxide in the heart, antioxidant activity, improving heart metabolism and preserving mitochondrial function after MI are some of the cardiovascular effects of Avicenna`s bitter tasting heart medicines, which are also confirmed by clinical evidences in modern investigations. The findings of this research show that the function of bitter-tasting herbal drugs in the body can have beneficial cardiovascular effects, some of which have been proven in studies, and more researches is needed in this field.

Yoga for Promoting Physical and Mental Health in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Ristanti Puji Astuti, Yustinus Sukarmin, Novita Intan Arovah — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:22 +0000

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing global public health burden with significant physical and mental health challenges. This study aimed to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of yoga interventions on improving the physical and mental health of patients with CKD. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The systematic search was conducted in January 2023 using Scopus and PubMed, resulting in 99 documents, of which 9 met the selection criteria. The studies explored the effects of different types of yoga interventions on various health aspects in hemodialysis and CKD patients. The durations ranged from 15 days to 6 months. The types of yoga used varied, including Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, and yoga therapy. Outcome measures included dialysis adequacy, fatigue, insomnia, lipid profile, oxidative stress, renal function, blood pressure, and quality of life. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of the yoga intervention and the positive effects of the intervention on health outcomes, such as improved dialysis adequacy, reduced fatigue and insomnia, better lipid profiles, decreased oxidative stress, enhanced renal function, lowered blood pressure, and improved quality of life. Yoga interventions show promise as a complementary approach for managing CKD. The positive effects observed on multiple health outcomes suggest the potential benefits of incorporating yoga into CKD care. However, further well-designed trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base. Healthcare providers should consider including yoga as part of a comprehensive approach to improve the well-being of CKD patients.

Turmeric as a Gut-Microbiota Modulator for Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors: An Updated Comprehensive Review

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:29 +0000

Turmeric is a medicinal herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components that can affect metabolic parameters via various pathways, including the gut-brain axis. Although positive effects of turmeric on health have been reported, findings are conflicting. Accordingly, the current review aimed to provide an overview of the biochemical and biological characteristics of turmeric and examine the impacts of turmeric on cardio-metabolic risk factors with a special focus on its abilities to modulate gut microbiota. In the present comprehensive review, findings of systematic reviews/narrative reviews, clinical trials, animal, and in vitro studies on turmeric in the English language published between 2010 and March 2023 were summarized. Findings revealed that turmeric is a safe medicinal herb with mild gastrointestinal side effects in some cases. It can help improve the glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure. However, food processing and fermentation can affect the bioavailability of its effective components, including curcumin. Several mechanisms, including those affecting intestinal microbiota diversity, intestinal permeability, inflammatory and oxidative pathways, are proposed for their positive effects on metabolic factors. However, due to high between-study heterogeneity, limited high-quality clinical trials, differences in the duration of the intervention, and the form of turmeric supplement, more studies on each metabolic parameter are needed to determine effective dosages and confirm its efficacy as a complementary therapy to modulate microbiota and cardio-metabolic parameters.

A Review of "Narcissus tazetta L." in Traditional Persian Medicine and Modern Medicine

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:36 +0000

Narcissus tazetta L., commonly known as narcissus, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. It has a wide distribution worldwide. Various ancient sources, including traditional Persian medicine, Unani medicine, Ayurveda, and Chinese medicine, have documented diverse and significant uses of this plant. Recent studies have also confirmed several pharmacological effects of narcissus. Our aim was to review the references about narcissus in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) and compare them with conventional sources. For this purpose, TPM data were extracted from Persian medicine sources; while modern data were obtained from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and SID. TPM sources attribute various effects to narcissus, including treatment of swellings and masses, alleviating pain, and healing of internal and external ulcers. These properties align with the antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-aging effects reported in recent studies. The integration of ancient knowledge and modern scientific research holds promise in identifying new pharmaceutical and therapeutic approaches. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to comprehend the precise mechanisms of these effects and potential side effects.

Relationship between Male Sexual Dysfunction, Fertility Power and Heart Function: Avicenna’s Standpoint

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:01:42 +0000

Honey has been used since ancient times to treat various diseases such as gynecological diseases. The current study aims to investigate clinical trials related to the therapeutic effects of honey on women’s diseases. Databases including Web of Sci- ence, Scopus, PubMed, Google scholar, and SID were investigated for clinical studies focusing on honey in gynecological diseases up to 31 June 2022. Eligibility was checked based on selection criteria. Twenty-five clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Therapeutic properties of honey and its compounds as a systemic and/or local treatment on vulvovaginal candidiasis, cervicitis, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, labor pain, episiotomy and cesarean wounds, nipple fissure, breast cancer and intrauterine insemination (IUI), with the mechanisms of action of antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, analgesic, antioxidant and anticancer activities have been proven. It was also found that phenolic compounds includ- ing flavonoids and phenolic acids are the main ones responsible for most of these therapeutic effects of honey. This study supports the healing properties of honey in gynecological diseases at reproductive age. Also, in the current studies, honey proved safe with minor adverse effects. Of course, to achieve definitive conclusions about the effectiveness and safety of honey, it is necessary to conduct more clinical trials with a larger sample size, appropriate intervention duration, and optimal doses in future studies.