Renovation of a traditional Ergh-al-Nassa pill [Hab] to a standard Pharmaceutical molded tablet

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

[Physicians in ancient Persia]

Studying the history of science in ancient civilizations can help to shed light on the mysteries of the history of science as well as the contribution of nations to the growth of science in the world throughout the history. Among various branches of science, medicine is of particular importance and owing to the crucial role of physicians in this discipline; the present study has taken the role of physicians in ancient Persia [since the dawn of history to 637 AD] into account. To meet this end, the study has worked on the manuscripts remained from different historical era [Iranian and Non-Iranian] as well as the findings of the more recent research conducted on the history of Persian medicine. In the end, a sketch of the status of physicians in ancient Persia are presented: 1- Medicine in ancient Persian languages, 2- The status of medicine in ancient Persia, 3- Different kinds of physicians, 4- Persian physicians, 5- Non-Persian physicians in ancient Persia, and 6- Common medical rules and laws. The findings of the study depict the advanced medical system present in ancient Persia. It is also found that the high scientific and economic status of physicians and scientists in ancient Persia encouraged numerous non-Persian physicians to immigrate to Persia