Traditional and Integrative Medicine
Volume:5 Issue: 2, Spring 2020

Vaginal infections are one of the major reasons women visit a gynecologist. Increased resistance to conventional antibiotics is one of the main factors mitigating the development of new antimicrobial agents, especially those of natural origin. In traditional Persian medicine, Trachyspermum ammi has been claimed to clear vagina from excessive discharge. Therefore, in this study, the antimicrobial activity of Ajwain essential oil was evaluated against some vaginal pathogens. The essential oil of ajwain was picked up and the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were revealed. The most frequently detected microorganisms involved in genital infections including Candida spp., Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Lactobacillus acidophilus were considered. Evaluation of the essential oil of Trichomonas vaginalis was done by calculation of percent of growth inhibition. The essential oil showed a remarkable activity against the studied bacteria and fungi with MIC at a range of 0.0315 - 0.5 mg/ml and MBC at a range of 0.125 - 4 mg /ml. The highest inhibition and bactericidal activity was observed in S. agalactiae and G. vaginalis. 100% inhibition of T. vaginalis growth was shown at a concentration of 2000 μg/ml after 48 h by essential oil. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was more than that of thymol. Supposedly essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi fruit could inhibit vaginal pathogens growth. Further preclinical and clinical studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this natural agent in vaginitis.

Invertase, the key enzyme responsible for sucrose hydrolysis. Inhibition of invertase can decrease the postprandial blood sugar level in diabetic patients and keep the blood glucose level normal where cytotoxicity to fast-growing cells like those of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii is a great measurement for further important drug development like anticancer drugs. This study was aimed to investigate potential anti-diabetic and cytotoxic activities of the ethanol and acetone extracts of Swietenia macrophylla leaves, Syzygium cumini and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds. Invertase inhibition activities of S. macrophylla leaves, S. cumini, and T. foenum-graecum seeds were measured by spectrophotometrically using standard protocols and cytotoxicities were measured by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Among the plant extracts, all ethanol extracts showed higher invertase inhibition activities than all acetone extracts. S. cumini seed ethanol extract showed the highest invertase inhibition activity whereas S. macrophylla leaves acetone extract showed the lowest invertase inhibition activity. The maximum toxicity was observed in ethanol extract of T. foenum-graecum seed whereas the lowest toxicity was observed in acetone extract of S. macrophylla leaves. Both ethanol and acetone extract of T. foenum-graecum seeds showed significant cytotoxic activities. This investigation suggested that S. cumini and T. foenum-graecum seeds possess potential antidiabetic activities and T. foenum-graecum seeds have potential cytotoxicity.

This study aimed to investigate the herbal medicines use prevalence and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during pregnancy as well as the probable effects on newborn outcomes. Postpartum women with a live singleton infant were eligible if declared consent before discharge. Data was collected retrospectively by face-to-face interviews. Generally, 400 pairs of mother/infant were recruited. At least one herbal medicine was used by 325/400 (81.3%) women. Peppermint, frankincense, flixweed, olive oil, and cinnamon were the most common herbs. Overall, 26 ADRs were reported by 19/325 (5.8%) women. Gastrointestinal complaints were the most frequent herbal ADRs (18/26, 69.2%). Gestational age, Apgar scores, birthweight, complications, and malformations of newborns were similar between groups. In conclusion, herbal medicines were highly used by pregnant women, while they did not affect newborn outcomes either positively or adversely. Despite low frequency rate of herbal ADRs during pregnancy, their safety, efficacy, interactions, and potential risks need further studies.

Uterine fibroid is considered as the most common pelvic tumor in women during their reproductive years. Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, pressure symptoms and fertility issues and also have a significant influence on patient’s quality of life. These are the most common indications for hysterectomy worldwide. We report a 43-year-old woman with abnormal vaginal bleeding and dysmenorrhea due to large size of uterine leiomyoma which was candidate for myomectomy. Due to her virginity she couldn’t undergo uterine surgery. She preferred to use non-surgical treatments and presented to our traditional Persian medicine outpatient clinic. In order to control menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, dry cupping therapy was recommended to her for three times a week. After a period of two months, dysmenorrhea and vaginal bleeding were decreased noticeably. In addition, a significant reduction in tumor size was observed. This case shows dry cupping therapy can be effective and safe in decreasing fibroid-related symptoms like dysmenorrhea and excess bleeding and also the size of fibroid. It seems that this method can be integrated with current therapeutic approaches. However, further clinical studies need to establish the efficacy and safety of dry cupping therapy for the management of uterine fibroids.

Sri Lanka practice the well-established traditional medicine system. Among these method Murivu nerivu (Fracture and dislocation) is esteemed external therapy practicing by the traditional bone healers in world wide. This case study carried out in the Koddai kallar, Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka. The clinic run by the third generation of Mr. S. Rajendren family, the knowledge and experience gain through their forefathers. Every day about 90% of the fresh bone fracture and dislocation and 10% of cases those who are failure from the western hospital are treated by healer. The aim of the study is carried out to reveal the diagnosis, management method and medicine which are used to cure the murivu nerivu. Patient was selected who had acute elbow dislocation, the observation up to 41 days. The management plan started with application of herbal paste. Naivezhai (Cleome viscosa) plant is used as an antimicrobial and bone remodeling agent. Then applied the Pattu (Medicinal paste) and oil that also contain bone healing property. From this study able to understand the reunion of the dislocation without any deformity and also people widely accept the healers due to the low cost.

Oligo/amenorrhea is one of the most common women's complaints. The most frequent pathologic causes of this condition is polycystic ovaries that leads to unovulatory cycles. Because of insufficiency of treatment in conventional medicine, we studied view point of Persian Medicine. We searched main Persian Medicine references to collect important information about wet-cupping and phlebotomy in treatment of oligo/amenorrhea especially in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  For gathering evidence that establish this idea, we searched main English and Persian language databases for studies about effectiveness of wet-cupping and phlebotomy on menstruation. Excretion blood from lower extremities especially saphenous vein phlebotomy and calves wet-cupping while massive blood excreting is recommended by Persian physicians in Ehtebas-e-tams (oligo/amenorrhea). From the 106 citations identified from electronic searches, at beginning, 3 ones meet our study objectives. These articles showed that wet-cupping effect on menstruation in women with PCOS and fertilization. Although any study didn't find about effectiveness of phlebotomy on menstruation or fertilization, but majority studies show effect of phlebotomy or blood donation on decrease of insulin resistance. More research about treating this condition are needed to confirm the effectiveness of phlebotomy or wet-cupping in treatment of oligo/amenorrhea.