Survival rates for pediatric cancer patients have undergone rapid growth due to advancements in anticancer treatments. Despite these developments, cancer survivors continue to experience a range of persistent symptoms, including pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and nausea/vomiting. Consequently, the use of complementary therapies has increased among this population as a means of alleviating these symptoms. This cross-sectional study involved 124 parents of children diagnosed with cancer and referred to Aliasghar Children’s Hospital in Tehran, selected via census sampling from January 2018 to January 2019. Data were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, and independent samples t-tests, were conducted to explore relationships between variables. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of this questionnaire was 0.85. Prior to diagnosis, 51.6% of patients reported using complementary medicine, which increased significantly to 77.4% after diagnosis. Herbal medicine emerged as the most commonly used form of complementary therapy. The primary motivation for using therapies was to manage chemotherapy side effects, reported by 83.3% of patients. The predominant barrier to the use of complementary medicine was insufficient knowledge regarding its benefits and risks. Notably, only one-third of mothers disclosed their children's use of integrative medicine to their physicians. The high prevalence of complementary medicine use among pediatric oncology patients underscores the necessity for healthcare providers to routinely inquire about such practices and educate patients about potential drug interactions. Additionally, the tendency for patients to conceal their use of complementary therapies from their healthcare providers warrants further attention and proactive engagement from clinicians.

Preoperative anxiety is prevalent with up to 80% of patients experiencing this unpleasant feeling. Melissa officinalis L. is a famous herb with proposed medicinal activity including anxiolytic effects. Therefore, we aimed to consider the effect of M. officinalis in capsule formulation on preoperative anxiety in this clinical study. The plant material was standardized based on its essential oil content using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry apparatus. Then, 45 patients undergoing general surgery with American society of anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I or II were selected. By randomization, 23 and 22 patients were enrolled in treatment and placebo groups, respectively; to receive 500 mg dried powder of M. officinalis or placebo capsules, every 6 hours for 24 hours in this double-blind clinical study. They also completed the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for the second time and then proceeded to surgery. After the intervention, results showed a significant difference between the drug and placebo groups. The anxiety scores were 4.73 ± 1.17 and 5.81± 1.22 in the drug and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.01). No adverse event was recorded. The results of this investigation show that M. officinalis capsule decreases preoperative anxiety in the patients who are undergoing general surgery and could be considered as a helpful supplement for these patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) profoundly affects patients' well-being, causing physical and psychological challenges. While lifestyle factors are recognized as pivotal in MS management, research on traditional Persian (Iranian) medicine approaches remains scarce. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of temperament-based lifestyle education rooted in Persian medicine principles in ameliorating quality of life (QoL) among MS patients. Employing a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, we enrolled 30 female MS patients, randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving tailored lifestyle interventions or a control group. QoL assessments were conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up. The intervention spanned four weeks, focusing on individualized nutrition, exercise, sleep optimization, stress management, and socio-emotional well-being, aligned with each participant's temperament profile. The Covariance analysis exhibited significantly greater enhancements in post-intervention and follow-up QoL scores compared to controls, with effect sizes indicating substantial impact. Notably, these improvements were sustained at the one-month follow-up assessment. Our findings suggest that temperament-based lifestyle education grounded in Persian medicine holds promise as a beneficial and low-risk strategy for enhancing QoL in MS patients (51.93 to 72.86 increased). Further validation through larger randomized trials is warranted, yet this preliminary investigation underscores the potential of integrative approaches leveraging traditional medical paradigms.

Ferula persica Willd. is a native plant of Iran known for its anti-spasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties in Persian medicine. This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of the oleo-gum-resin extract of F. persica in mice, as well as its chemical composition. The hydroalcoholic extract of F. persica oleo-gum-resin was prepared using the maceration method. Mice were randomly divided into six groups: a normal saline group (negative control), a dimethyl sulfoxide group, three groups receiving different doses of the hydroalcoholic extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and a sixth group (positive control) receiving Ketoprofen. To assess the analgesic effects of the extract, four tests were conducted: writhing, hot plate, tail flick, and formalin tests. Additionally, the chemical compounds, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content of the oleo-gum-resin extract were determined. The findings demonstrated that the extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg effectively reduced pain and the analgesic effect was dose dependent. A significant difference was observed between the control and treatment groups across all four tests. The 200 mg/kg dose exhibited the greatest analgesic effect in both the acute and chronic phases of the formalin tests. Some chemical compounds of the gum such as flavonoids may be responsible for its analgesic effect. According to this study, F. persica gum extract can alleviate pain caused by thermal and chemical stimuli. These findings support the traditional use of F. persica gum in managing painful conditions. Further studies are needed to investigate effectiveness  of F. persica oleo-gum-resin in pain management and the possible mechanisms of its analgesic effects.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes different physical and mental symptoms. Fatigue and decrease of happiness are the common problems in MS patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of Jollab beverage on fatigue and happiness in MS patients. In this triple-blind clinical trial, 70 MS patients visiting the MS Association in an urban area of Iran were randomly assigned to the two groups by minimization method. The intervention group consumed Jollab beverage, including a combination of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), rose water (Rosa x damascena Herrm.) and brown sugar (Saccharum officinarum L.), three times a day orally, 15 mL each time for four weeks. The control group consumed placebo similar to the intervention group. Fatigue and happiness of the patients were evaluated before and after the intervention using Oxford happiness questionnaire and fatigue severity scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Based on the results, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in the mean score of fatigue and happiness before the intervention. But, after the intervention, the mean score of fatigue was lower in the intervention (34.66 ± 7.72) vs. control group (39.12 ± 9.22) CI: 0.26, 8.64, p=0.03). However, the mean score of happiness after the intervention was not statistically significant between the intervention (39.21 ± 17.46) and control ( 45.12 ± 14.30) groups (CI: -1.93, 13.75, p=0.13). According to the results, the use of Jollab beverage can reduce the fatigue of MS patients. Therefore, use of this beverage can be recommended to the patients by neurologists and MS associations.

This study evaluated the effects of Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N.Robson (GG) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO)-induced in rats and its anti-obesity properties. Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, 10 mg/kg Aqueous Extract of Garcinia gummi-gutta (AEGG), and 20 mg/kg AEGG. PCO was induced using Letrozole-oestradiol, confirmed by vaginal smear tests and weight gain. AEGG was screened for phenol (125.66±1.07 µg/mL) and flavonoid (102.66 ± 0.38 µg/ml) content, with its highest concentrations at 20 mg/mL. Pancreatic lipase inhibition showed AEGG’s anti-lipase effect (66.24%) at 100 μg/mL, compared to orlistat (98.7%) at 1 μg/ml. Rats received 20 mg/kg of AEGG demonstrated the highest significant reduction in body weight (203.8 g ±1.45 SD) and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (1.24 mIU/mL) compared to the 10 mg/kg group and control group. Anatomical examination showed a normal uterus and reduced ovarian cysts in both AEGG-treated groups compared to the control. AEGG, particularly at 20 mg/kg, significantly reduced body weight, LH levels, and reproductive anatomy in PCO-induced rats, while demonstrating potential anti-obesity effects despite lower lipolytic activity compared to orlistat. The study suggests that AEGG at 20 mg/kg offers benefits in managing PCO and preventing obesity.

This work reports the results of an ethnobotanical survey conducted among the inhabitants of Fez, Morocco, on the traditional use of medicinal and aromatic plants in the treatment of respiratory system diseases. The respiratory conditions treated, in descending order of citation, are flu, bronchitis, cold, cough, pharyngitis, and asthma. Thirty-seven species grouped into 20 families were cited as effective for treating these various conditions. The Lamiaceae family, represented by 10 species, is the most frequently cited family. For treating flu, Matricaria chamomilla is the most commonly used; for colds, Zingiber officinale and Crocus sativus seem to be the most effective; for treating bronchitis, Eucalyptus globulus is the most commonly used; for pharyngitis and cough, Origanum vulgare is the most significant. Meanwhile, for asthma, Linum usitatissimum and Iris x germanica are the most effective. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows that these diseases form two groups: one composed of flu, bronchitis, and cold; and the other composed of asthma, pharyngitis, and cough. The plants associated with the first group are Salvia rosmarinus, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, and Matricaria chamomilla; while the plants associated with the second group of diseases, represented by asthma, pharyngitis, and cough, are Glycyrrhiza glabra, Allium cepa, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Linum usitatissimum, and Iris x germanica.

Arterial stiffness is a growing epidemic associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Arteriosclerosis means hardening of the arteries. Arterial stiffness or arteriosclerosis is often associated with but is distinct from atherosclerosis. High arterial stiffness is known to be a risk factor, as well as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease. Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., an indigenous medicinal plant, has been proven to possess different cardioprotective properties, including positive inotropic, hypolipidemic, coronary vasodilatory, and antioxidant effects. A 40-year-old male presented to the outpatient department of Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College and Hospital in August 2022. The patient was diagnosed case of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and was taking medicines for the same regularly. His vitals and general physical and systemic examination were within normal limits at the time of interrogation, and all his baseline investigations, except his lipid profile, were within normal limits. The patient was screened for arterial stiffness, for which cardiovascular profile tests were performed on the patient using Diabetes Risk Profiler for the assessment of arterial health analysis, which showed severe arterial stiffness. After 12 weeks of treatment with the decoction of powder of chāl arjun (bark of Terminalia arjuna) 6 g twice daily, arterial health analysis assessment improved to mild arterial stiffness. The probable reason for improvement could be due to the mufattiḥ sudad (deobstruent), muraqqiq-e-dam (blood thinner), and muqawwī-i-qalb (cardiotonic) action of chāl arjun. This case report emphasizes and highlights the effect of Terminalia arjuna on arterial stiffness.

The second most prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder in the world is Parkinson's disease (PD). According to many studies, the majority of the existing PD therapies are symptomatic and may result in motor problems, such as dyskinesia and fluctuations. To overcome these complications, various reports have proposed the use of bee venom as an effective treatment. Bee venom can suppress the neuroinflammation effect in PD mouse models, indicating its potential as an effective adjuvant treatment for the disease in humans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of bee venom treatment (BVT) as a PD adjuvant. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 standards were followed during the processes. In addition, a literature search was performed on various electronic databases, including PubMed, EBSCO, and ProQuest. After evaluating the included papers' quality using the Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2) as well as RoB In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I), a meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. Four publications in total have been analyzed in the systematic review as well as meta-analysis based on the inclusion criteria. The results showed that three and one articles had low and moderate risk of bias, respectively. The BDI score between the bee venom and control groups had a statistically significant p-value (SMD=-0.52, 95%CI= -0.93 to -0.11, p=0.01) according to the meta-analysis. Nevertheless, following the therapy, there were no discernible improvements in UPDRS II, III, and II+III, as well as PDQL, gait speed & number, MXE, and DCL. The findings also showed that bee venom significantly improved BDI scores in PD patients. Although the positive trends observed in other outcomes were not statistically significant, further investigation with larger cohorts is required to validate these findings.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) presents as a multifaceted condition characterized by pain, autonomic dysregulation, and motor dysfunction. Within the realm of pain management, Dry Needling (DN) emerges as a promising therapeutic modality. This systematic review assesses the role of DN in the management of CRPS, with a focus on pivotal outcomes encompassing pain intensity, disability, and musculoskeletal factors. Our systematic review encompassed rigorous searches through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, spanning studies up to January 2023, without language constraints. Four studies meeting predetermined inclusion criteria were identified, collectively encompassing a cohort of 47 patients afflicted with unilateral upper limb CRPS Type I. Following DN, a palpable reduction in pain intensity was ubiquitously observed among all subjects. Furthermore, assessments employing the Disabilities of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (DASH) score indicated a substantial reduction in disability levels post-DN intervention. Impressively, musculoskeletal ultrasonography underscored an amelioration in muscle condition, concomitant with discernible enhancements in motor function disturbances post-DN. These compelling findings suggest that DN may substantively complement a multimodal CRPS management paradigm. DN has the capacity to target the fundamental issue of motor function impairment while concurrently promoting pain relief and reducing disability in the intricate context of CRPS.

Rab'-e Rashidi, a historical establishment, emerges as a paramount educational and medical institution in the Islamic world. Founded by Khwaja Rashiduddin Fazlullah Hamadani, this center encompassed a hospital, pharmacy, and provisions for patient families; while maintaining a strong focus on medical education. Historical texts reveal Rab'-e Rashidi's exceptional success during its time, positioning it as a leading educational and therapeutic hub that outperformed European universities in the field. This article delves into the profound impact of Iran's medical education system, with departments such as Dar al-Shafa (hospital), pharmacy, and early forms of drug processing laboratories, during the 8th century AH / 14th AD. This influence, which took root only a century after the peak of the Islamic civilization, left a lasting mark on both Islamic and Western territories. Notably, the presence of a university-hospital structure akin to the historic Jundishapur Scientific Center reflects the efficiency and unique educational approach that Iranians applied to medical education and doctor training. This study highlights Rab'-e Rashidi's pioneering role in shaping the landscape of medical education and its enduring legacy in the realm of healthcare and academia.

Evidence from medical literature implies that back radiculopathy pain is primarily caused by inflammation and disc herniation. Based on our examined sources, this theory was initially put forward in 1934 by two American surgeons, William J. Mixter and Joseph S. Barr. The theory proposes that the intervertebral disc changes shape for various reasons, leading to the compression of nerve fibers in the epidural canal. This compression can result in inflammation, pain, and restrictions in movement. Today, this theory is perceived to be increasingly inconsistent with clinical experiences. Hubert L. Rosomoff was the first to publish the article "Do Herniated Disks Produce Pain?" in 1984. In The Clinical Journal of Pain, he rejected Mixter and Joseph S. Barr's theory, but did not introduce a mechanism for how patients with discopathy do not experience pain.  Recent studies indicate that the human body can adapt to various types of deformities and alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of complications without any measurable change in the pressure or shape of the disc. This study proposes a hypothesis to understand the body's ability to achieve balance and adapt to a deformed disc and radiculopathic pain.