roshanak salari

Echium amoenum (EA) and Foeniculum vulgare (FV) might be beneficial for the management of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to their possible effects on sex hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combination of Echium and Fennel on the severity of physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. This triple-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 80 women. The subjects were assigned to two groups of intervention (receiving EA 2 g/day and FV 1 g/day, in the second two weeks of the cycle, in two consecutive cycles) and placebo control. The data collection tools included the PSST, DRSP, and SF36 questionnaires. Between-group differences in all subscales of DRSP were significant at one- and two-month time points (p<0.05). Bleeding volume was significantly increased in the intervention group, compared to the placebo group, two months after the intervention (p<0.05). Between-group comparison of the changes demonstrated significant differences in all subscales of SF36, except for limitations in usual role activities due to emotional problems (p=0.07). Consumption of EA and FV combination improved the quality of life in women with PMS and exerted favorable changes in PMS symptoms.

The postpartum period is the most critical period for presenting mental problems and depression. It seems that probiotics can affect mental health by changing the intestinal microbial flora; therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to determine the effectiveness of oral probiotic capsule on postpartum depression of primiparous women.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2023 on 60 qualified primiparous women who had just given birth in Mashhad. The women were placed in two groups of 30 people, drug and placebo. The drug group received one probiotic capsule daily from the third day after delivery, and the placebo group received a placebo capsule for 30 days. Edinburgh postpartum questionnaire was completed by the two groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 25) and t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and obstetric characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference between the drug and placebo groups in the mean score of depression before the intervention (p=0.809). After the intervention, the mean score of depression in the placebo group was 4.56±4.33 and in the drug group was 1.00±0.40, which had a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001).

Consuming probiotic capsules can reduce women's depression in the postpartum period.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by insufficient production of thyroxine by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine may not fully alleviate patients' symptoms. This study aimed to assess the impact of a herbal product on weight, body mass index (BMI), thyroid hormones, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), depression, and quality-of-life scores in patients. 72 patients with primary hypothyroidism, aged between 20 and 65 years old, participated in the trial and they were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group received the herbal powder containing Trachyspermum ammi L., Nigella sativa L., and Citrus aurantifolia L. while the control group received Avicel for 8 weeks. Treatment with the herbal product resulted in statistically significant reductions in anthropometric variables such as BMI (p=0.03), hip circumference (HC) (p=0.008), waist circumference (WC) (p<0.001), and waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) (p=0.003) in the intervention group in comparison between intervention and control groups. However, the decrease in weight was not statistically significant (p=0.08) in the intervention group compared the control group. In comparison between two groups, the depression score exhibited a statistically significant decrease in the intervention (p=0.001) and control groups (p=0.01), while there was a statistically significant increase in the quality-of-life score only in the intervention group (p<0.001) in comparison between intervention and control groups. The results indicate the potential beneficial effects of the herbal product on anthropometric variables in patients. Furthermore, the intervention yielded significant improvements in depression symptoms and quality-of-life scores among the patients.

Kidney stones are one of the most common urological diseases. Renal colic is a medical emergency due to severe pain, and the repetition of its periods greatly impacts the patient's life quality. Providing different treatments while increasing the patient's life expectancy causes changes in their lifestyle, health status, and life quality. This study aimed to evaluate the life quality of patients with kidney stones in Mashhad in 2019 with a review of Persian medicine.

The present descriptive-analytical study was performed on 96 patients. Data were collected by SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, researcher-made demographic questionnaire, and the Salmannejad temperament determination questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-16 software.

The mean age of patients was 45.6 years; the mean number of stones was 18.1± 84.1 and the mean size of stones was 12.32 ± 8.53 mm. The mean and standard deviation of patients' life quality was 369.26±98.32. The highest mean was related to the physical function dimension (82.68 ± 21.8) and the lowest mean was related to the pain dimension (52.23 ± 25.47). There was a statistically significant relationship between some dimensions of life quality with blood pressure and temperament (Mizaj) variables (p <0.05).

Several factors improve the life quality of patients with kidney stones. Paying special attention to the characteristics of patients with kidney stones and modifying the type of nutrition based on their temperament can prevent the recurrence and re-formation of kidney stones.

 Postpartum blues is a transient period of increased emotional reactivity that occurs in approximately half of women in the first week after delivery. Due to the high prevalence of postpartum blues and its adverse effects on the mother, baby, and the family, as well as the acceptance of complementary medicine and aromatherapy, especially in women, and the sedative effects of rose essential oil, the present study was performed with aim to determine the effect of aromatherapy with the rose essential oil on postpartum blues in primiparous women.

This randomized clinical trial study with a placebo group was conducted in 2022 on 65 primiparous women admitted to Omolbanin Hospital in Mashhad. The data was completed through demographic-obstetrical information form, Stein postpartum blues questionnaire and Rosenberg's social support and self-esteem scale, Paswald scale, and Rothen fatigue intensity scale. Rose essential oil was used in the intervention group, and in the placebo group, sweet almond oil was used in the same way. The postpartum blues scores were measured on the 4th, 10th, and 14th days. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 22) and Independent t-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the postpartum blues score before the intervention (P=0.246). But after intervention, the postpartum blues score in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group on the 4th, 10th, and 14th days after delivery (P<0.001).

Aromatherapy with rose essential oil was effective and safe in reducing postpartum blues in primiparous women.

Mothers with gestational diabetes and their babies are exposed to significant maternal and neonatal complications. This study was conducted with aim to determine the effect of oral capsule of aqueous alcoholic extract of red onion on blood sugar of women with gestational diabetes treated with diet.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2021-2022 on 60 women with gestational diabetes in Mashhad. Eligible mothers at 24 to 30 weeks of gestation were randomly divided into two groups of 30 people, intervention or placebo, and took 500 mg capsules of red onion extract or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. Fasting blood sugar was checked before, two weeks and four weeks after the study, and two hours after meals. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 16) and Chi-square, Independent t and Mann-Whitney tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean fasting blood sugar two and four weeks after the study (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the placebo group in the mean blood sugar two hours after a meal two and four weeks later compared to before the study (P>0.05).

Considering the effect of red onion extract in reducing fasting blood sugar in women with gestational diabetes, it is recommended to teach its use in health centers.

Maolasal is a honey-induced product which may lead to several beneficial effects from the Persian Medicine (PM) point of view. Heating process as a major step of Maolasal preparation may decrease the honey quality and deteriorate thermal treatment indicators of honey.

This study was conducted on four honey samples (from different floral sources). Maolasal preparation process was done according to one of the most important PM references “Gharabadin Kabir”. Thermal treatment indices, antibacterial and antioxidative activities of products were measured.

The 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentrations of PM-based Maolasal samples of polyfloral, monofloral, and sugar honey were higher than 40 mg/kg; while PM-based Maolasal sample of monofloral honey had acceptable HMF concentration (38.9 mg/kg). Proline content of all samples decreased thorough Maolasal preparation and simple heating processes in all samples and these reductions were greater in monofloral honey and sugar honey Maolasal samples.  Maolasal preparation processes decreased diastase activity of all samples. Although Maolasal preparation process led to sucrose content reduction in the three Maolasal samples, sucrose content of Maolasal sample of monofloral honey was higher than its raw sample. Maolasal preparation process increased total phenolic content of all samples. Finally, Maolasal preparation process led to an increase in antibacterial and antioxidant activities of all the samples.

Maolasal samples reduced diastasis activity and proline content and increased HMF concentration. Maolasal preparation process may lead to an increase in antibacterial and antioxidative activities of honey which may be helpful for special preventive/therapeutic medicinal objectives.

Cesarean section is one of the most common surgeries and is usually followed by pain. According to some studies, flaxseed oil may reduce pain. The present study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of flaxseed oil ointment on the severity of cesarean section wound pain.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2018 with participation of 120 women who had cesarean section in Imam Reza and Shahid Hasheminejad hospitals in Mashhad. Individuals were randomly assigned into to three groups (flaxseed ointment, placebo, control). In two groups of flaxseed ointment and placebo, the ointment was applied on cesarean section wound. The intensity of wound pain was measured 24 hours after surgery, 4th and 8th day after cesarean section by pain intensity Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25), and Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

According to the results of statistical tests, there was statistically significant difference between flaxseed group with control and placebo groups in terms of cesarean section wound pain intensity on days 4 and 8 after the intervention (P <0.001). In addition, in the intergroup comparison, Friedman test showed that in all three groups, the variation of pain intensity scale was significantly different in different days (P <0.001).

Regarding the reduction of pain intensity cesarean wound score after the intervention, flaxseed oil due to its effective ingredients can greatly reduce the severity of cesarean section wound pain.

One of the medical interventions in childbirth is episiotomy which is used to widen the pelvic outlet. Plantago is one of the oldest medicinal plants that have wound healing properties due to its flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The present study was performed aimed to determine the effect of plantago cream on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.

This triple-blind clinical trial study was performed in 2019 on 107 nulliparous women who had referred to Valiasr Hospital in Birjand for natural childbirth. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of placebo and drug. After delivery, mothers used 2-3 cm of prescribed cream on the sutures for 10 days and twice a day. The wound healing rate was evaluated on the third, seventh and tenth days after delivery using the Reda tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean of Reda score in the drug group was 3.433 ± 0.635 on the third day, and 0.773 ± 0.422 on the seventh day, but in the placebo group, it was 5.611 ± 0.492, 2.185 0 0.478, respectively. The two groups had significant difference on the third and seventh days in terms of wound healing (p<0.001).  The median McGill score in the drug group was 26 on the third day and 7 on the seventh day, but in the placebo group, it was 44 and 19, respectively, and the two groups had a statistically significant difference in terms of pain intensity on the third and seventh day (P<0.001)

The use of plantago cream in comparison with placebo increases the speed of improvement of pain intensity and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.

Regarding to the relationship between depression and sexual dysfunction and its negative effects on quality of life, this study was performed aimed to investigate the effect of wormwood vaginal gel on depression in women of reproductive age with sexual dysfunction.

This two-group, triple- blinds randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2021 on 76 women referred to the gynecological clinic of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad. The study tools included: Demographic Information, Female Sexual function Index (FSFI), and the DASS-21 Depression questionnaires. At first, the subjects were randomly divided into the intervention and placebo groups and used vaginal gel for 4 weeks. Sexual Function and DASS-21 questionnaires were assessed in two groups before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software) version 25) and Independent t, Mann-Whitney, Paired t, Wilcoxon and chi-square tests.  P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean score of total sexual function (P=0.562) and depression (P=0.140) in the intervention and placebo groups. Four weeks after the intervention, the mean score of sexual function significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group and the mean score of depression significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P<0.001). The women with moderate or mild depression before the intervention had mild or no depression after the intervention.

Wormwood gel effectively improves depression in women with mild to moderate depression and sexual dysfunction.

 Viola odorata has been used since ancient times. According to Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) sources, it has a cool and moist temperament and is used for treatment of different diseases. Due to the low side effects and numerous beneficial effects of this plant, this study aims to review its therapeutic effects from the perspective of TIM and modern medicine.

In this review study, a search was conducted for the materials in many TIM books such as Canon of Medicine, Tuhfat al-Momenin, al-Jami’ li-Mufradat al-Adwiya wa’l-Aghdhiya, Al-shamel fi al-Sanaat Al-Tabiat, Makhzan al-Adawiyah, Firdaws al-Hikmah fi al-Tibb, Al-Hawi fi al-Tibb, Khulasat al-Hikmah, as well as the book “PDR for Herbal Medicines”, and for the related studies in online databases such as PubMed and Scopus using the keywords sweet violet, common viola, garden violet, herbal medicine, traditional Iranian medicine.

The medicinal forms of Viola odorata in TIM are various and are used for skin, digestive, respiratory, and urinary system diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed the various therapeutic effects of the plant. According to studies in modern medicine, its constituents include volatile oils, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, mucilage, gallates, phenols, vitamin C, coumarin, and Sitosterol.

Studies in modern medicine have proven the traditional uses of Viola odorata. However, due to the strong potential of this plant for making various medicinal products from it, more research is needed.

Psychological disorders such as anxiety can increase preterm labor by hormonal stimulation, so this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium essential oil on anxiety in women at risk of preterm labor.

This two-group semi-experimental interventional study was conducted in 2020 on 65 pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery referred to the health centers in Jiroft. Eligible women who received a score of ≥10 in the Holbrook Pregnancy Screening Questionnaire and met other inclusion criteria received Citrus aurantium essential oil or placebo twice daily for two weeks. Anxiety was assessed before and after the intervention (end of the first week and end of the second week) with the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21) and independent t-test and paired t-test, analysis of variance and Friedman test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

In the intervention group, changes in overt and covert anxiety scores of the stages (before, 1 week and 2 weeks after the intervention) were significant (p = 0.001), but in the placebo group, based on the results of repeated measures test, the difference between these changes between stages was not significant in the two groups of overt anxiety (p = 0.836) and covert anxiety (P = 0.575).

The use of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium led to a decrease in anxiety scores in pregnant women at risk of preterm labor. Therefore, it can be effective as an easy, cheap and non-invasive intervention in reducing the anxiety of women at risk of preterm labor.

Sexual satisfaction is a key factor in quality of life that depends on several factors including healthy, pleasant and painless sexual relations. Treatment of sexual dysfunction should be given special attention due to the impact on the relationship between couples and family stability. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia flower essence on dyspareunia and sexual satisfaction of women at reproductive age.

This three-group randomized clinical trial study was performed on 99 women referring to health centers in Mashhad in 2019-2020. The study's units were assigned into three groups. The first group used the essence for 4 weeks, 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time and the second group once only 20 minutes before intercourse as inhalation and the third group did not receive any intervention. The Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was completed before the intervention and at the end of the 4th week after the intervention in all three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean score of sexual pain after the intervention in the first intervention group was 4.3±0.8, in the second intervention group was 4.7±0.7 and in the control group was 4.0±0.8. Based on the results of the intra-group test, the intervention was significantly increased only in the second intervention group (p<0.05). The mean score of sexual satisfaction after the intervention in the first intervention group was 4.2±0.7, in the second intervention group was 4.7±0.9 and in the control group was 3.8±0.5. Based on the results of intra-group test, the intervention was significantly increased only in the second intervention group (p<0.001).

Inhalation of Elaeagnus angustifolia essence 20 minutes before intercourse can effectively increase sexual satisfaction by reducing pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Therefore, it can be used as an affordable herbal supplement with minimal side effects.

Pruritus is one of the most common problems that is seen separately or in combination with various diseases and has been studied in various medical schools. Its various aspects including definition, pathogenesis, types and treatments have been elaborated and tailored to the basics of each medical perspective. This study investigates the pruritus from modern and Persian medicine perspective.This study is a library review focusing on the pruritus. Initially related keywords include pruritus, itching, hekka, hives and wheal was searched among the prestigious scientific and reference textbooks, journals and sites of modern and Persian medicine such as Rook's textbook of dermatology, Habif Clinical dermatology, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, Zakhireh Kharazmshahi, Teb-e-Akbari, Khulasah al-Hikmah, Kamel al-Sana'a al-Tebbiya, Exir-e A'zam, Tohfe Al-Momenin and Makhzan-al-Advie. Then the necessary material was collected and classified and finally the present article was compiled.In both medical schools, the charecteristics and function of the skin are described initially, then the causes and mechanisms of pruritus are defined and explained. To facilitate understanding and presenting the subject, appropriate classificationare presented for each view. Also, for the pruritus treatment, appropriate recommendations have been put forward for each patient or condition.Generally, there is not much difference between the two views, but modern medicine is going more specifically through details. While the Persian medicine discusses more comprehensively. The treatment basis in Persian medicine is based on different individual and environmental conditions.

The prevalence of nipple pain is reported to be 34-96% which is among the common causes of early breastfeeding stopping. Lanolin is the recommended treatment to improve nipple pain. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of boswellia have been approved. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of boswellia and lanolin ointment on nipple pain intensity in lactating women.

This triple-blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2018 on 68 lactating women with pain intensity of > 3 in pain visual scale in Mashhad. The subjects were placed in two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment. The correct method of lactation and drug use were taught to the two groups. The score of nipple pain was recorded by the researcher before the intervention, on day three and eight after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) and T, Fisher, Chi-square and Wilcoxon statistical tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Before the intervention, mean pain severity in the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment was not significantly different (P = 0.23). On the seventh day after the intervention, mean pain severity was not significantly different in the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment (P = 0.40). But on the third day, mean of pain severity was significantly different between the two groups of lanolin and boswellia ointment (p <0.001) and pain intensity was lower in boswellia group than lanolin group. In intra-group comparison, mean pain intensity after the intervention (3rd and seventh day) was lower than the pre-intervention stage, which was statistically significant (P <0.001).

Boswellia ointment and lanolin are same effective in reducing nipple pain.

In cesarean section incision, like as any other surgery, there is possibility of delay in wound healing. According to studies, flaxseed oil is effective in wound healing. This study was performed with aim to determine the effects of flaxseed oil on cesarean wound healing.

This three-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 women with cesarean section at educational hospitals of Imam Reza and Shahid Hasheminejad of Mashhad in 2018. Individuals were randomly assigned to three groups (flaxseed ointment, placebo, control). In two groups of flaxseed ointment and placebo, the ointment was applied on cesarean section wound for 8 consecutive days and twice a day, each time as one finger strap. Wound healing was measured 24 hours after surgery, 4th and 8th day after cesarean section by REEDA Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25), and Chi-Square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

According to the results of statistical tests, there was statistically significant difference between flaxseed group with control and placebo groups in terms of cesarean section wound healing on days 4 and 8 after the intervention (P <0.001). In addition, in the intergroup comparison, Friedman test showed that in all three groups, the variation of REEDA scale in different days was significantly different (P <0.001).

Regarding the reduction of REEDA cesarean wound score after the intervention, flaxseed oil is recommended as a suitable drug for cesarean section wound healing in mothers.

Pruritus is one of the most common problems of chronic kidney diseases. Different treatment modalities, while extending the life span of patients, can lead to changes in their lifestyle, health status and ultimately change their quality of life (QOL). Understanding the different aspects of patients' QOL leads to better services provided by health care teams to improve the patients' QOL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus in Mashhad in 1396 with a view to Iranian Medicine.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 52 patients. Data collection was done by the World Health Organization QOL and researcher-made demographic Questionnaire and SPSS 16 software was used for data analysis.

The mean age of patients was 51.73 years and mean duration of dialysis was 41.42 months. Total score of life quality was 56. The lowest and highest scores were seen in physical and environmental dimensions. There was an inverse significant relationship between some aspects of QOL with hemoglobin and creatinine and a direct significant relationship with age, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (P<0.005).

Hemodialysis patients' QOL is lower than others and several factors can improve it. Special attention to the individual characteristics of hemodialysis patients can be helpful in predicting their basic needs.

One of the physiologic factors affecting orgasms and sexual satisfaction is the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. The weakness of these muscles may lead to female orgasmic disruption, anorgasmia, and, in turn, to decreased sexual satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the effect of pomegranate peel gel on women's orgasm and sexual satisfaction during their reproductive age. This randomized triple blind clinical trial was conducted on 110 women aged 18-45 years old admitted to the women's clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad in 2018. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups of control and intervention. The subjects in intervention and control group were recommended to use peel gel and placebo, respectively for 8 weeks. The orgasms and sexual satisfaction of the women in both groups were evaluated at the baseline, as well as 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed in Stata software, using T_test, Mann_whitney, T_paird, Wilcoxom & Friedman. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. At the beginning of the study, the two groups were not different in terms of orgasms (p=0/748), sexual satisfaction (p=0/922), and sexual function. However, the mean scores of these two domains were significantly higher in study group after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention (p<0.001). The use of pomegranate peel gel can effectively increase women's sexual satisfaction by improving orgasms.

Inflammation along with oxidative stress plays an important role in the development, progression, instability and rupture of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Several studies introduced curcumin (diferuloylmethane) as a wonderful chemical in Curcuma longa (turmeric) with appropriate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The effect of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers was assessed in several clinical trials. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on three pro-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with unstable angina. Forty patients with unstable angina who met the inclusion criteria, participated in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in the treatment group received nanocurcumin 80 mg per day for 5 days and the control group received placebo 80 mg per day for five days. Blood samples were obtained before the administration, and also 1, 2 and 4 days after taking the treatment. Serum concentrations of Myeloperoxidase (MPO), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) biomarkers were measured by ELISA. There was no significant difference in concentration of these biomarkers before the administration and 1, 2 and 4 days after the start of the trial, between the two groups; however, the concentration of IL-18 on the first day significantly varied between the groups. Based on the findings of this study, administration of nanocurcumin capsules at the dose of 80 mg per day for 5 days, did not significantly decrease inflammatory biomarkers in patients with unstable angina.

Due to high prevalence of infertility and increasing tendency towards complementary medicine, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of a vaginal natural product based on honey and 1% extract of Myristica fragrans on the extent of success of intrauterine insemination (IUI). This non-randomized clinical trial study with a historic control group, was performed on infertile women. In this trial, 159 patients were assigned to the intervention group, and 288 patients were recruited to the control group. All the participants received clomiphene or letrozole from the third up to seventh day of menstruation, and on days 6, 7, and 8, they received human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) injections. IUI was performed 36 hours after human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) injection. In the intervention group, a natural vaginal product was used besides the above treatments, from menstruation day 7 until the day before performing IUI. Sixteen days after IUI, serum beta HCG was measured to investigate chemical pregnancy, and six weeks following IUI, vaginal sonography was performed to investigate clinical pregnancy. Analysis showed that the pregnancy rate was higher in the group that receiving the natural product compared to the control group. Chemical pregnancy rate was 18.1% vs. 15.4%, and clinical pregnancy rate was 15.2% vs. 13.8% for intervention and control groups, respectively; but, this difference was not significant. It seems that the use of this vaginal product for a longer period of time and across several menses cycles before IUI, may produce more positive results. Further studies, however, are needed to be done.

Previous studies have examined the role of sensory nerves and neural mediators in symmetrical joint inflammation and autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we sought to examine the association between capsaicin skin test and disease activity in RA patients. Eighty RA patients (case group) and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this experiment. The subjects in case group were calcified to newly diagnosed patients and those previously diagnosed with RA. A topical solution of capsaicin (0.075%) was applied on the volar forearm during the skin test, and evaluations were done after 5, 10, and 20 min. The parameters recorded in capsaicin skin test were time to tingling, area of induration (cm2), and area of redness (cm2). A faster capsaicin skin reaction was observed in healthy controls compared to the case group (p=0.02). Newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed RA patients were not significantly different in terms of reaction latency (p=0.06). The redness area after 15 (p=0.04) and 20 (p=0.001) min was significantly larger in previously diagnosed RA patients than in newly diagnosed ones. The ​​area of redness and time to tingling did not show any difference between active and inactive RA patients, but after 15 and 20 min, the area of redness was significantly greater in inactive RA patients compared to active RA patients (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). This study suggested that capsaicin skin test is not an efficient tool for the examination of synovial inflammation and disease activity in RA.

Herbal distillates have been used for many centuries as herbal medicines in Traditional Persian medicine. The main purpose of this study was to determine methanol and ethanol contents in commonly-used industrial herbal distillates produced by three famous factories in Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Iran (2014-2015).
Ninety herbal waters of ten types of most commonly used herbal distillates including Willow (Salix alba), Ajava seeds (Carum copticum), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Poleigamander (Teucrium polium), Forty plants, Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Camel thorn (Alhagi camelorum), Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) and Rose water (Rosa damascene) of three famous company in Mashhad were randomly bought from market. Methanol and ethanol contents of each sample were measured by Gas chromatography according to the standard method. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS using appropriate descriptive statistical tests.
The highest average amount of methanol of all tested distillates is for forty plants (46.06 mg/dl) and M. piperita (46.72 mg/dl) and the lowest for ajava seed (8.46 mg/dl). The maximum and minimum ethanol level was reported for rose water (0.39 mg/dl) and ajava seed (0.15 mg/dl), respectively.
High methanol and ethanol concentrations may induce toxicity in people taking these products regularly for a long time. Therefore, considering the harmful effects of methanol and ethanol on human health, further studies are required for determining permitted levels of methanol and ethanol in herbal distillates.

Itching is a mental feeling that elicits desire to scratch and results from stimulation of itch, pain or palpation receptors in the skin. In Iranian medicine, itching is referred as hekka. Several factors can cause this symptom. Various drugs are used to treat itching. They are sometimes costly and not readily available and have side effects. Given the time-consuming and cost-effective processes for the discovery of effective drugs, new strategies are needed to reduce processes time and costs. One of these strategies could be the use of previous experiences on medicinal plants and spices used in traditional medicine schools.
In this review, we searched the keyword "itching, pruritus" in three reference books of pharmacology of Iranian medicine, including The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanon fi al-Tibb), Tohfe Momenin, and Makhzan- Al' Advieh and ened up with a list of 60 multifaceted plants effective in improvement of pruritus. The efficacy of each of them was categorized based of available evidence. Therefore, it is recommended to use the rich experience of Iranian traditional medicine in the production of new drugs for pruritus.

Obesity is a major risk factor for many diseases in children. Considering the widespread pandemic of pediatric obesity, developing more strategies for life style management of this disorder is essential. Therefore it was decided to conduct a more comprehensive study for prevention and treatment children obesity based on Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). In this review we searched the most important TPM textbooks (such as Al-Havi, Al-qanun fit-tib, Kamel al Sanaeh), Classical Medicine (CM) text book (Krause's Food and the Nutrition Care Process), and scientific databases such as Data sources included (Medline, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar) the period from 2000 to 2017 in terms of obesity management. The keywords Saman Mofrat, Setteh-e-Zarurieah, lifestyle, pediatric, children and obesity have been used in this search.
Based on TPM the six essential principles (Setteh-e-Zarurieah) must be observed in management of pediatric obesity that these essential factors are as follows: air, food and drink, sleep and wakefulness, evacuation and retention, body movement, mental movement and repose. Unhealthy lifestyle for example irregular sleep, constipation, overeating and wrong nutritional habits, insufficient physical activity, and emotional excitement, such as sadness and anxiety are plays an important role in obesity that confirmed by classical medicine. Moreover, TPM has a particular attention to the type of nutrients and their temperament and the children’s digestion ability. So, further clinical trials should be performed to confirm the long-term efficacy of healthy lifestyle in pediatric obesity management.

Melasma is a skin disorder characterizing by hyperpigmentation affecting the sun-exposed areas. This disorder, accounts for 0.25 to 4% of the patients observed in skin clinics in south East Asia. In spite of several reports according to the relationship between digestive problems such as gastritis with melasma, these disorders are not included in the diagnostic criteria of melasma in the texts. This study aims to find the relationship between digestive problems and melasma. In this study, the relationship between gastric problems and melasma was investigated by searching the Persian medicine references such as the Canon of Medicine by Avicenna and Al-Havi of Razi with the terms such as stomach, melasma (kalaf in the Canon) and also the electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Magiran with the keywords of gastritis, stomach, melasma, hyperpigmentation and digestive problems. This study searched the etiology and symptoms of melasma. The results showed accompaniment between some digestive disorders and melasma in Al-Havi and the Canon as well as in articles retrieved from the electronic databases. However, we noticed poor attention to the relationship between digestive problems and melasma due to attention to various topical creams produced by different companies. Considering the results, it is required to pay attention to systemic aspects such as digestive problems in the treatment of melasma. The researchers suggest doing more studies about these issues to find this relationship to be included in one of the main diagnostic criteria of melasma.