Mohsen Bahrami

A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of Tamarind seed in Premature Ejaculation

Background: This randomized clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the effect of oral use of tamarind seed powder as an herbal product in patients affected by premature ejaculation (PE). Materials and Methods: In this study, 75 patients randomized in tamarind group (25 patients received daily 130 mg tamarind seed powder), paroxetine group (25 patients received daily 20 mg paroxetine), and placebo group (25 patients). Patients received the treatment regimen for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). The secondary outcomes were PE diagnostic tool score, sexual function using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and complications. Studied sexual functions include erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Results: The mean of IELT in tamarind, paroxetine, and placebo groups at baseline was 35.2 ± 26.5, 38 ± 27.6, and 44 ± 34.9 s and at the end of study was 49.5 ± 48.2, 147.4 ± 209.6, and 46.9 ± 37.6 s, respectively, which in paroxetine group significantly increased compared to other groups. IIEF scores for orgasmic function and intercourse satisfaction for paroxetine after treatment significantly increased than that of other groups. The differences between tamarind and placebo groups for studied variables were not statistically significant. The mean of increases in IELT for tamarind, paroxetine, and placebo groups was 14.35 ± 34.3, 109.4 ± 213.4, and 2.9 ± 9.3 s, respectively, which in paroxetine group was significantly higher than other groups and in tamarind group was significantly higher than placebo. Conclusions: Paroxetine was significantly better than tamarind seed powder and placebo although side effect in paroxetine was more frequent. IELT significantly more increased in tamarind group compared to placebo.

Response to: Avicenna (Ibn Sina) aspect of atherosclerosis

a Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran b Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran c Department of Neurosurgery, Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia d Department of Neurosurgery, Nepean Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia e Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Peritoneum as an origin of epilepsy from the viewpoint of Avicenna

There are studies that show that the concepts of epilepsy have been rooted in Persian medicine; Avicenna “Ibn-e-Sina”—one of the great Persian physicians in the Islamic golden age (9th–12th century AD)—has considered some types of epilepsy with the association of the stomach, the spleen, the “Maraqq,” and the whole body which has not been reviewed properly. These organs influence on the brain and can cause epilepsy. This article presents concept of Maraqq-related epilepsy; according to Avicenna’s view, “Maraqq” is a membranous structure which is located in the abdomen (equivalent of parietal peritoneum in current nomenclature). We discuss his viewpoint about the diagnosis and treatment of Maraqq-related epilepsy with focus on herbal remedies. The concept of a relationship between the “Maraqq” and the brain is well discussed in the old Persian medicine texts; however, it seems that further studies in this area are required to clarify Avicenna’s view about the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies.