Effects of Zataria oxymel on obesity, insulin resistance and lipid profile: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (µIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405. RESULTS: The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.

A review on the management of asthma in the Avicenna's Canon of Medicine.

Introduction In this study, we attempted to identify medicinal plants for treating asthma by investigating Persian Medicine (PM) sources. Methods In the present review study, materials concerning asthma were assessed by the (most) reliable source of PM (Canon of Medicine) written by Avicenna. Recommended medicinal plants for treating asthma were extracted from this book. Likewise, the electronic databases were used for investigating the pharmacological properties of offered herbs. Results The signs and symptoms of "Rabv" discussed by Avicenna are very similar to the asthma in modern medicine. Avicenna dichotomized asthma causing into pulmonary and non-pulmonary ones, including asthma with the heart, liver, or stomach origin. Overall, 14 medicinal plants were mentioned for the treatment of asthma presented in Canon of Medicine, including celery, juniper, dodder, chamomile, fennel, quince seed, black caraway, lavender, hyssop, squill, anise, absinthe, asafoetida, and common polypody. Conclusions PM prescribes medicinal plants for treating asthma, based on each patient's symptoms and trigger factors.

Allium vegetables for possible future of cancer treatment.

Natural resources such as plants are an upright curing option in treating cancers and reducing the side effects of current therapeutic modalities. Allium genus vegetables are of the most interesting herbs in restricting cancers that includes garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. These plants have been exploited in folk medicine because of their beneficial health effects in improving numerous diseases. The phytochemical analysis of various Allium genus members showed that, to date, 16 species have proved potential anticancer properties due to the accumulation of various sulfur and organic compounds like S-allyl mercaptocysteine, quercetin, flavonoids, and ajoene. These compounds with various mechanisms such as hindering cell cycle, inhibiting signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, and antioxidant activity interfere with diverse stages of formation, growth, differentiation, and metastasis of cancer cells. Similar to garlic and onion, other species have exhibited anticancer activities, so that active natural molecules extracted from them might serve as possible anticancer agents. Therefore, evaluating the main ingredients and studying their anticancer mechanisms are of great importance. In this review, we aim to summarize the available data on anticancer mechanisms of 16 species of Allium genus and their major compounds to assist further researches on the treatment and prevention of cancers.

The effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Shirazi thyme) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Shirazi thyme) (ZM) supplementation on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and related insulin resistance (IR). DESIGN: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 85 patients with NAFLD were administered either 700 mg ZM powder or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. All patients were advised to follow the recommendations for diet modification. RESULTS: ZM supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum insulin level (-2.72 ± 0.80 vs -0.67 ± 0.90, P=0.030), insulin resistance (-0.80 ± 0.22 vs 0.06 ± 0.22, P=0.023), systolic (-3.44 ± 1.05 vs 1.03 ± 0.98, P= 0.002) and diastolic (-2.33 ± 0.77 vs 0.26 ± 0.63, P= 0.009) blood pressure in patients with NAFLD in comparison with the placebo group. There was no significant difference between two groups regarding serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), grade of fatty liver in ultrasonography, lipid profiles, and other outcomes. CONCLUSION: ZM supplementation with daily dose of 1400 mg for 12 weeks improved insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with longer duration and larger sample size are recommended.