A review of inflammatory bowel disease from the perspective of Persian medicine

• Published in: Explore (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 20; no. 6; p. 103041
• Main Authors: Hasheminasab, Fatemeh sadat, Azimi, Maryam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Avicenna; Inflammatory bowel disease; Iran; Medical history; Persian medicine; Traditional medicine; Inflammatory bowel disease; Avicenna; Medical history; Traditional medicine; Iran; Persian medicine
• ISSN: 1550-8307; 1878-7541; 1878-7541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.103041

•In Persian medicine, a disease is defined, whose characteristics are similar to IBD.•From Persian medicine viewpoint, abnormal humors play a role in the IBD pathogenesis.•Some studies have partially confirmed the correlation between these factors and IBD.•More research is needed to explore the Persian medicine mechanisms and effectiveness. The initial descriptions of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been a topic of discussion. Cases of persistent diarrhea have been documented as far back as ancient Greece, with even Hippocrates (∼ 460–370 BCE) exploring various potential causes of diarrhea. Persian medicine was the predominant medical practice in the Eurasia region until the 18th century and had roots in Hippocrates and the ancient civilization of the region. Scholars, such as Avicenna (980–1025 CE), extensively described a disease characterized by intestinal ulcers, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain in the early medieval period. While some of the definitions and etiologies of IBD in Persian medicine are based on humoral theories that differ from current medical concepts, recent studies have suggested a potential relationship between the traditional Persian medicine understanding of the disease and IBD. Persian medicine classifies patients with specific diseases into different types of disorders known as dystemperament, with the application of these differences referred to as "syndrome differentiation." These traditional classifications require distinct therapeutic approaches. Research has delved into the molecular bases of the humoral theory and the impact of syndrome differentiation on drug selection for patients, including those with IBD. However, further research is needed to explore the potential effectiveness of Persian medicine in treating IBD and to understand how this ancient classification system can contribute to improved disease management.