Efficacy and safety of myrrh in patients with incomplete abortion: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl.) has a long history of traditional use as a herbal medicine for different purposes. In ancient traditional Persian manuscripts, it has been noted that myrrh may act as uterine stimulant and probably cause complete abortion. However, there is no evidence to verify this comment. Therefore, the current study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Myrrh in the treatment of incomplete abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial, 80 patients with ultrasound-documented retained products of conception (RPOC) were assigned to receive capsules containing 500 mg of Myrrh oleo-gum-resin or a placebo three times a day for 2 weeks. The existence of the retained tissue and its size were evaluated by ultrasound examination at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, the mean diameter of the RPOC in the Myrrh group was significantly reduced compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the rate of successful complete abortion was 82.9% in the intervention group and 54.3% in the placebo group (P = 0.01). The patients in both groups reported no serious drug-related adverse effects. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Myrrh is effective and safe in the resolution of the RPOC and may be considered as an alternative option for treatment of patients with incomplete abortion. However, further studies on active compounds isolated from myrrh and their uterine stimulant effects are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) IRCT code: IRCT20140317017034N7.

Prevalence of childhood obesity and hypertension in south of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a growing problem worldwide and is likely a major cause of the increased prevalence of high blood pressure in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of pediatric obesity and its association with hypertension in a sample of children and adolescents in Fars province (south of Iran). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Shiraz during a period from 2010 to 2011. A total of 2000 healthy students aged 11 to 17 years were included. Data on weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (measured 3 times with 5-minute intervals), and parental history of hypertension and educational level were obtained. The 95th percentile body mass index for age and sex was considered obesity. RESULTS: Overall, 7% and 11.8% of the students were obese and hypertensive, respectively. Blood pressure was associated with body mass index. Maternal education level was not associated with hypertension in the child. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, obesity was an important risk factor for hypertension. Our data showed that prevalence of obesity has not been changed in the recent 5 years in Iran, but that of hypertension has risen significantly. The high prevalence of hypertension in overweight and obese children emphasizes the need for prevention and control of childhood obesity and hypertension in early stages.