Fatemeh Nejatbakhsh’s research while affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences and other places

This paper is a brief review of the practical dietary recommendations of Persian Medicine (PM) in the management of itching. According to our findings, PM scholars believe that the following dietary modifications help ameliorate pruritus: relative reduction of food intake, consuming tenuous foods, consumption of sweet-and-sour foods, whether natural (e.g., pomegranate juice) or man-made (e.g., oxymels), substances with astringent property, narcotics and quasi-narcotics such as a combination of dry coriander and sugar, using a group of substances called fine-humor-producing foods, laxative fruits such as tamarinds and plums, foods with sedative action including lettuce extract, watery foods containing ingredients such as barley, and increasing the share of healthy fats in the diet.

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.

Complementary and alternative medicine, including Persian medicine (PM), offers a variety of disease prevention and treatment methods, including the application of medicinal plants. The health of the reproductive system is an important issue for women, and understanding the potential effect of garlic (Allium sativum) for preventive and therapeutic purposes in this field is of interest. This systematic review focused on the effects of garlic on the female reproductive system. The method involved a comprehensive search of relevant literature on experimental animal studies using electronic databases from January 2010 to September 2023, followed by selection of eligible studies and data extraction. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This review reported that garlic may have positive effects on women's reproductive health, such as improving hormonal balance, relieving PMS symptoms, and potentially supporting fertility outcomes. This review revealed that garlic compounds such as allicin and ajoene can modulate various aspects of the female reproductive system, including regulation of the menstrual cycle, hormonal balance, fertility, and reproductive disorders. This review determined that further research is needed to elucidate the molecular pathways and direct effects of garlic on the female reproductive system. Although garlic has many potential health benefits, it should not be used as a substitute for medications.

Background: Many patients, chiefly teenagers, seek effective treatment for acne vulgaris. Besides topical treatments, antibiotics, and anti-androgens, herbal treatments have been used against it. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of an herbal combination based on Prunus domestica L., Tamarindus indica L., Terminalia chebula L., Ziziphus jujube L., and Cassia fistula L. on acne vulgaris. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm parallel trial was conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Patients were randomized, 55 in each group, to receive either herbal syrup or placebo (10 cc every 8 hours) for 12 weeks and were followed for 4 weeks. The severity of acne and participants’ psychological status was assessed by acne severity index (ASI) and Cardiff acne disability index (CADI), respectively. Results: No significant changes were observed up to the sixth week of treatment in both groups (P ≥ 0.05). From 6 weeks to 12 weeks, the outcomes indicated a significant reduction in the mean number of comedones (P < 0.030), papules (P < 0.045), pustules (P < 0.026), nodules (P < 0.044), and ASI (P < 0.001) in the herbal syrup group compared to the placebo group. Nevertheless, this did not continue after 4 weeks of follow-up (16th week). Conclusions: The herbal syrup could be an alternative treatment in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Indeed, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

Introduction: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a major healthcare problem in females of reproductive age and impacts women's health and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to test the equivalence of Persian Golnar (PG) and tranexamic acid (TA) for the treatment of excessive menstrual bleeding. Method: A triple-blind randomized equivalence trial with parallel design and block randomization technique was performed. A total of 80 patients with AUB were randomly allocated to receive either PG or TA for three consecutive menstrual cycles. Blood loss was measured by the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC). Hematological evaluations were done before the intervention and after treatment. QoL and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as secondary outcomes were assessed using the menorrhagia questionnaire (MQ) and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test, paired t-test, χ2 test, Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Seventy-six women completed the 12-week follow-up. Both PG and TA groups experienced a significant reduction in blood loss. Furthermore, the serum level of hemoglobin in the PG group enhanced significantly (P < 0.001). QoL and PMDD scores were significantly improved in both groups (P< 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the current trial supposed that the Golnar product is as effective as tranexamic acid in controlling bleeding and enhancing the quality of life and premenstrual symptoms.

In Persian Medicine (PM) literature, a crisis is the culmination of the body’s response to illness, which necessitates fundamental dietary modification to improve prognosis. In this narrative review, authentic PM textbooks as well as articles on diets for critically-ill patients (CIPs) obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases, were reviewed, and after gathering data, they were classified, coded, analyzed, and compared. In the acute phase, both PM and conventional medicine agree on relative food restriction, but PM lays a special focus on the use of meat in cases of weakness. There are both similarities and differences between PM and conventional medicine regarding nutritional recommendations in critical illness. For example, recommendations for food restriction and protein intake are similar in both schools, but recommendations for carbohydrate intake are different. The variables addressed and emphasized in PM require further evaluation in clinical trials.

In Persian Medicine (PM), food is considered as a basic concept, the proper understanding of which, will prove beneficial in nutrition of healthy individuals and diet therapy of patients. The objective of this article is to examine the defining attributes of the concept of food in PM. Concept analysis was performed using Walker & Avant's approach, comprising eight stages of 1) selecting a concept; 2) determining the objective of analysis; 3) identifying all uses of the concept; 4) determining the defining attributes of the concept; 5) constructing a model case; 6) constructing borderline, contrary and invented cases; 7) identifying antecedents and consequences; and 8) defining empirical referent. The results showed that, the defining attributes of the concept of food in PM are: 1) replacement of body tissues and organs; 2) resemblance to tissues and organs; 3) adding to body quantity; 4) prerequisites for childbirth; 5) delicious and sweet or tasteless or greasy flavors; and 6) production of blood humors, warmth and moisture. In order to clarify the concept, borderline, contrary and invented cases were also presented. The results of this study can provide an objective and understandable picture of the use of the concept of food for researchers and open new horizons in nutrition and diet therapy.

Background Dysmenorrhea in young women reduces their quality of life. Objectives This research reviewed the impact of chamomile sachet and mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea, its relevant symptoms as well as bleeding. Methods Two hundred female students afflicted with primary dysmenorrhea from Arak universities were randomly assigned to two groups and participated in this randomized clinical trial. The first group (A) received mefenamic acid (250 mg) and the second group (B) received chamomile (5000 mg) three times a day in two consecutive cycles from two days before up to the first three days after menstruation. Intensity of pain, related symptoms and bleeding were evaluated by visual analog scale, Andersch-Milsom Verbal Scale and Higham chart, respectively. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 21. Results Severe pain lasting two months after intervention was observed in 6 subjects (6.3%) of group (B) as well as 6 participants (6.3%) in group (A) (p=0.351, p=0.332). Two months after treatment, mean severity of related symptoms was 4.93±3.54 in group (B) and 5.62±3.54 in group (A), which shows further reduction of pain in group (B) that was not significant (p=0.278). Two months later, mean of bleeding was 88.71±66.4 and 70.54 ±53. 34 in group (B) and (A), respectively. Thus, the decrease of pain in the two groups was not significant (p=0.567). Conclusion It appears that chamomile sachet can decrease the severity of pain and bleeding, which is similar to the effect of mefenamic acid and even further alleviates the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. (IRCT code no. 20161008250B1N5).

Objectives: Threatened miscarriage is a common disorder in early pregnancy and is seen in 20% of pregnant women. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic solution for this condition. This study aimed to determine the effects of a special food (fried egg with grape molasses) on threatened miscarriage in combination with conventional therapies. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 93 pregnant women with mild or moderate vaginal bleeding up to 16 weeks of gestation in two groups. The control group (n = 47) used progesterone 400 mg suppository daily with abstinence from sexual intercourse and physical activity. The intervention group (n = 46) consumed fried eggs with grape molasses and the routine treatment like the control group. The treatment was considered successful if the pregnancy continued up to 20 weeks. Finally, the risk of abortion (miscarriage rate) and the duration of vaginal bleeding were compared between two groups. Results: The risk of abortion in the control group was about 26% (12 of 45 pregnancies), while in the intervention group, it was 15% (7 of 45 pregnancies). This result was not statistically significant between the two groups (Risk ratio: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.37-1.30, P= 0.197). Additionally, no significant difference was detected regarding the duration of vaginal bleeding between the intervention and control groups (P= 0.699). Conclusions: There is no significant statistical relationship between the consumption of "fried eggs with grape molasses" and reduction of abortion risk.

Background: In traditional Persian medicine, Drimia maritima, with the popular name Squill, has been used to alleviate phlegm dyspnea. Squill has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticholinergic properties. The goal of this research was to see how effective and safe Squill-Oxymel was in treating COPD patients. Method: Forty-two COPD patients were examined for eight weeks in two groups. Patients underwent a 6-minute walk test to assess the treatment's effectiveness at the beginning and conclusion of the intervention. We utilized St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to evaluate the subjective symptoms of patients in order to measure their quality of life. Results: Patients who received Squill-Oxymel showed a statistically significant increase in 6MWT distance (P=0.011). The mean O2 saturation at the end of the 6MWT before the intervention was significantly greater in the placebo group. (P=0.008). In terms of questionnaire variables, there was a significant difference between placebo and Squill-Oxymel groups in the mean presymptom score (P=0.009) and the mean post-symptom score (P=0.004). Conclusions: The findings of this research provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness and safety of Squill-Oxymel as an add-on therapy in individuals with mild COPD.