ABSTRACT
The Ergh-al-Nassa pill [Hab] is a traditional combination suggested as one of the most effective preparations useful for treatment of sciatica. Although traditional preparations can be applied as new therapeutic drugs for investigations and clinical trials, they need to be reformulated to achieve pharmacopoeial standards for modern medicine. In this research, based on seven traditional Persian pharmacopeias for Ergh-al-NassaHab, nine different molded tablets were reformulated. Each formulation comprised the same amount of colchicum, ginger, aloe and yellow myrobalan fruit. Sweet almond oil had to be added in the maximum amount needed to be absorbed by the yellow myrobalan fruit according to its particle size [30-40 mesh sizes]. The studies were performed in order to optimize the formulation process according to the role of three levels in particle size of the herbal ingredients [60-70, 80-100, 100-150 mesh sizes] and three levels of initial water for granulation. The molded tablets were evaluated according to standard quality controls for tablets [mass uniformity, LOD, hardness, friability, and disintegration time at 20 and 30 min]. Myrobalan powdered to 30-40 mesh size absorbed the maximum amount of sweet almond oil [1:0.75 w/v]. The best formulations occurred when the particle size of colchicum, ginger, and aloe was 60-70 mesh size with an initial moisture content of 0.47 ml per 1g of dried powder. The outcome of this research is a pharmaceutical standardized formulation from the traditional Ergh-al- Nassa pill which can be suggested as a sample drug discovery based on traditional knowledge
ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a common metabolic disease in the world that has many adverse effects. Olibanum gum resin [from trees of the genus Boswellia] has traditionally been used in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes. The aim of this study was the comparison of Olibanum gum resin effect with placebo on the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Inclusion criteria was diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar [FBS] =140-200 mg/dL. This study has been designed as double-blined clinical trial on 71 patients with type 2 diabetes and the patients randomly were divided to interventional and placebo groups. The patients on standard anti-diabetic therapy [metformin] treated with Olibanum gum resin [400 mg caps] and placebo tow times per day for 12 weeks, respectively. At the end of 12 weeks the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, total Cholesterol [Chol], LDL, Triglyceride [TG], HDL and other parameters were measured. The Olibanum gum resin lowered the FBS, HbA1c, Insulin, Chol, LDL and TG levels significantly [p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, p 0.05] compared with the placebo at the endpoint. Moreover, this plant showed anti-oxidant effect and also no adverse effects were reported. The results suggest that Olibanum gum resin could be used as a safe anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent for type 2 diabetic patients
ABSTRACT
Avicenna [980 - 1037 AD] known as the prince of physicians in the west was one of the most prominent Persian thinkers, philosophers, and physicians. Owing to his interests in cardiology, he authored considerable works on different aspects of cardiology. "Resaley-e-Ragshenasi" [Book on Pulsology] and "Kitab al-Adviyt- ol-Qalbiye" [the book on drugs for cardiovascular diseases] are Avicenna's great dedication to the field of cardiology. In the field of drug therapy, an important concept which Avicenna touched on was the approach of drug achievement to the site of action in an easier and more efficient way. The mentioned concept is now recognized as "drug targeting" in current medicinal sciences and is an important challenge and field of research in pharmacy. Drug targeting has its starting point just a few decades ago. Whereas Avicenna considered the strategy 1000 year ago