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Lauq: A Sustained-Release Dosage Form for Respiratory Disorders in Traditional Persian Medicine
Laūq is a pharmaceutical dosage form that had been mainly used for the treatment of various respiratory disorders in traditional Persian medicine. It is important from 2 aspects: a dosage form with efficient and optimum delivery of drugs to the respiratory tract and biological effects of its ingredients. Natural medicine in laūq has been demonstrated to act in respiratory disorders by their antitussive, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, spasmolytic, and antibacterial activities. Some of these natural remedies act by most of the mentioned mechanisms such as Cydonia oblonga, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Croc...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Karegar-Borzi, H., Salehi, M., Rahimi, R. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

A Review on Ethnobotanical and Therapeutic Uses of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L)
Fenugreek with the scientific name of Trigonella foenum-graceum L and with leaves consisting of 3 small obovate to oblong leaflets is an annual herbaceous plant of the Fabaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean but is cultivated worldwide. This plant has medicinal alkaloids, steroid compounds, and sapogenins and many uses have been mentioned for this plant in traditional medicine. This plant has been used to ease childbirth, to aid digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism. Trigonelline is considered as the most important metabolite of fenugreek, which is very effective in treating diabetes an...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bahmani, M., Shirzad, H., Mirhosseini, M., Mesripour, A., Rafieian-Kopaei, M. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

Categorization of Functional Constipation in Traditional Persian Medicine: A Descriptive Study
In this study, almost two thirds of the patients with functional constipation had mild to severe cold distemperament of the gastrointestinal system, and in almost half of them the signs and symptoms were compatible with dry distemperament of the gastrointestinal. This observational study reports high prevalence of gastrointestinal system distemperaments in patients with functional constipation. According to the results, we can consider the proposed management of distemperaments in traditional Persian medicine for functional constipation treatment and pathophysiology explanation. This project is a novel study that provides ...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Elsagh, M., Behbahani, F. A., Fartookzadeh, M. R., Adibi, P., Kamalinejad, M., Anushiravani, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Related to Diabetes Mellitus Among Diabetics and Nondiabetics Visiting Homeopathic Hospitals in West Bengal, India
High prevalence of undiagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus and poor knowledge, awareness, and practice has increased premature death, costly complications, and financial burden. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2014 on 273 diabetics and 355 nondiabetics in 3 government homeopathic hospitals in West Bengal, India. A self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge, awareness, and practice related to diabetes was used. A total of 17.5% to 29.3% of the participants were aware of the normal blood sugar level. Lack of insulin, frequent urination, hypertension, and poor wound healing were identified most freq...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Koley, M., Saha, S., Arya, J. S., Choubey, G., Ghosh, S., Chattopadhyay, R., Das, K. D., Ghosh, A., Hait, H., Mukherjee, R., Banerjee, T. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Comparison of the Hemostatic Activity of Quercus persica Jaub. & Spach. (Oak) With Ferric Sulfate in Bony Crypts
Effective tissue hemostasis in periapical surgical site is important in the procedures. Plants with large amount of tannins may act as a local hemostatic agent. We aimed to compare the hemostatic effect of the extract of Quercus persica with one of the common hemostatic material used in periapical surgery. Six standardized bone holes were prepared in the calvaria of 5 Burgundy rabbits. Two hemostatic medicaments were tested for their hemostatic effect and were compared with control defects: Group 1, cotton pellet soaked in 15.5% ferric sulfate solution; Group 2, cotton pellet soaked in pure ethanolic extract of Q. persica....
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Nabavizadeh, M. R., Zargaran, A., Moazami, F., Askari, F., Sahebi, S., Farhadpoor, A., Faridi, P. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Evaluation of Efficacy of an Herbal Compound on Dry Mouth in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This study compared the efficacy of an herbal compound containing Malva sylvestris and Alcea digitata (Boiss) with artificial saliva (Hypozalix) for improving the symptoms of dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients. The study examined a total of 62 subjects assigned to 2 groups. The herbal compound and Hypozalix were administered for 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the visual analog scale and by grading the degree of dry mouth. Both groups showed a significant difference between visual analog scale before and following intervention. There was also a significant difference in visual analog scale between groups at 4 ...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ameri, A., Heydarirad, G., Rezaeizadeh, H., Choopani, R., Ghobadi, A., Gachkar, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Myrtus communis L. Freeze-Dried Aqueous Extract Versus Omeprazol in Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
The current work assessed a pharmaceutical dosage form of Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) in reflux disease compared with omeprazol via a 6-week double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty-five participants were assigned randomly to 3 groups as A (myrtle berries freeze-dried aqueous extract, 1000 mg/d), B (omeprazol capsules, 20 mg/d), and C (A and B). The assessment at the beginning and the end of the study was done by using a standardized questionnaire of frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG). In all groups, both reflux and dyspeptic scores significantly decreased in comparis...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Zohalinezhad, M. E., Hosseini-Asl, M. K., Akrami, R., Nimrouzi, M., Salehi, A., Zarshenas, M. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effects of Malva sylvestris and Its Isolated Polysaccharide on Experimental Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
This study was designed to evaluate its effects on ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. Colitis was induced by rectal instillation of acetic acid solution. Rats in different groups received aqueous, n-hexane, or ethanolic fractions of the plant before induction of colitis. Isolated polysaccharide of plant was also tested in 2 groups before and after induction of colitis. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of colitis showed that the aqueous fraction was very effective in preventing the inflammation and efficacy was lower for ethanolic and n-hexane fractions. Polysaccharide was effective ...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Hamedi, A., Rezaei, H., Azarpira, N., Jafarpour, M., Ahmadi, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Efficacy of Topical Application of Emu Oil on Areola Skin Barrier in Breastfeeding Women
Appropriate hydration and skin surface pH are of fundamental importance in preventing areola skin barrier damage and breastfeeding success. We studied the dermal effects of emu oil on areola skin soon after birth in 70 at-term breastfeeding mothers by noninvasive bioengineering method. Emu oil–based cream was found to be effective in improving stratum corneum hydration of breast areolae (mean ± standard deviation, from 56.9 ± 18.2 to 65.0 ± 17.2 conventional units, P < .003) and did not affect skin pH, temperature, or elasticity. The significant improvement in hydration values was more pronoun...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Zanardo, V., Giarrizzo, D., Maiolo, L., Straface, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Influence of a Suggestive Placebo Intervention on Psychobiological Responses to Social Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial
We tested the hypothesis that a suggestive placebo intervention can reduce the subjective and neurobiological stress response to psychosocial stress. Fifty-four healthy male subjects with elevated levels of trait anxiety were randomly assigned in a 4:4:1 fashion to receive either no treatment (n = 24), a placebo pill (n = 24), or a herbal drug (n = 6) before undergoing a stress test. We repeatedly measured psychological variables as well as salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and heart rate variability prior to and following the stress test. The stressor increased subjective stress and anxiety, salivary cortisol, and alpha-a...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - December 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Zimmermann-Viehoff, F., Steckhan, N., Meissner, K., Deter, H.-C., Kirschbaum, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Vitamin D: Beyond Metabolism
Interest in vitamin D and the VDR gene is increasing as putative roles in human health and evolutionary processes are explored. This review looks beyond the classic biochemistry that links vitamin D to calcium homeostasis; it explores how vitamin D interacts with light in a broader perspective than simple skin photosynthesis. It examines how the vitamin influences circadian rhythm, and how it may have helped drive the evolution of skin pigmentation. To this end, the nutrient–nutrient relationship with folate is also explored. The VDR gene is additionally examined as a factor in the evolutionary selection of skin depi...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - August 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lucock, M., Jones, P., Martin, C., Beckett, E., Yates, Z., Furst, J., Veysey, M. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

A Review Study on the Effect of Iranian Herbal Medicines on Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Addiction is a chronic and recurring disease that recurrence phenomenon is the most important challenge in treatment of this disease. Recent experiences have shown that synthetic drugs have undesirable side effects. Recent studies on medicinal plants have shown that they might be effective in treatment of different stages of addiction with lower side effects and costs. The aim of this study was to review the effects of medicinal plants in the treatment of morphine addiction in experimental animals. In this review article, by using keywords of morphine, withdrawal, and plants or herbal medicine in databases of indexing cite...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - August 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ebrahimie, M., Bahmani, M., Shirzad, H., Rafieian-Kopaei, M., Saki, K. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

Silybum marianum: Beyond Hepatoprotection
Silybum marianum is a medicinal plant that has long been used as hepatoprotective remedy. It has been used for the treatment of numerous liver disorders characterized by functional impairment or degenerative necrosis. Its hepatoprotective activity is unique and acts in different ways, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, cell permeability regulator and membrane stabilizer, stimulation of liver regeneration and inhibition of deposition in collagen fibers, which may lead to cirrhosis. Most of documented data with Silybum marianum are about liver disorders; however, recently several beneficial properties on...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - August 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bahmani, M., Shirzad, H., Rafieian, S., Rafieian-Kopaei, M. Tags: Topical Review Articles Source Type: research

The Effect of Viola odorata Flower Syrup on the Cough of Children With Asthma: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aimed to investigate the effect of violet syrup on cough alleviation in children with intermittent asthma. In a parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 182 children aged 2 to 12 years with intermittent asthma were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive violet syrup or placebo along with the common standard treatments in both groups (short-acting β-agonist). Both groups were evaluated in terms of the duration until cough suppression was achieved. No significant difference was observed in basic characteristics. The duration lasting to yield more than 50% cough reduction and 100% cough suppression was s...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - August 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Qasemzadeh, M. J., Sharifi, H., Hamedanian, M., Gharehbeglou, M., Heydari, M., Sardari, M., Akhlaghdoust, M., Minae, M. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Effects of a Topical Saffron (Crocus sativus L) Gel on Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetics: A Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Erectile dysfunction is a man’s persistent or recurrent inability to achieve and maintain erection for a satisfactory sexual relationship. As diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among diabetic men has been reported as 35% to 90%. This randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of a topical saffron (Crocus sativus L) gel on erectile dysfunction in diabetic men. Patients were randomly allocated to 2 equal groups (with 25 patients each). The intervention group was treated with topical saffron, and the control re...
Source: Complementary Health Practice Review - August 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Mohammadzadeh-Moghadam, H., Nazari, S. M., Shamsa, A., Kamalinejad, M., Esmaeeli, H., Asadpour, A. A., Khajavi, A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research