Objectives. In recent years, diabetes has become a global health problem that creates a tremendous economic burden for many countries. Clinical trials evaluating the hypoglycemic effects of sesame consumption have produced conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sesame as a popular natural herb on glycemic indices in adults. Methods. The search for related articles in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library was conducted through May 2021. Results were reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Results. A total of 605 studies were identified through online searching, and a total of eight RCTs representing 382 participants were included in this study. The meta-analyses revealed that sesame consumption significantly decreases serum fasting blood sugar (FBS): (WMD: −28.23 mg/dl; 95% CI (−39.16, −17.13), I2 = 97.6%; 95% CI (96, 98)), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): (WMD: −1.00%; 95% CI (−1.11, −0.88), I2 = 0%; 95% CI (0, 79)) as compared to the control group. Conclusion. This study provides evidence of the hypoglycemic effects of sesame consumption, particularly in diabetic patients. Additional RCTs on sesame and its preparations should be conducted in different populations to increase generalizability.

ObjectivesPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disturbance among women of childbearing age. Aromatherapy is a commonly used form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat PMS. The purpose of this study is to quantify and summarize the effects of aromatherapy on premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched through relevant search terms until October 2020. The effect sizes were pooled as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random effect model. Egger tests and visual inspection of the funnel plot were performed to identify the existence of publication bias. The I-squared (I2) test was applied to measure heterogeneity. Results. Eight studies (n = 8) were included in this analysis. The quantitative synthesis of evidence found that aromatherapy decreases PMS scores (WMD –13.83; 95% CI (−22.04, −5.63), I2 = 94.5%), total psychological symptoms of PMS (WMD –3.51; 95% CI (−4.84, −2.18), I2 = 82.6%), anxiety of PMS (WMD–1.78; 95% CI (−3.17, −0.38), I2 = 94.2%), depression of PMS (WMD–2.0; 95% CI (−3.65, −0.34), I2 = 93.7%), and fatigue of PMS (WMD – 1.44; 95% CI (−2.44, −0.44), I2 = 89.7%) compared to the control group. Conclusion. Aromatherapy is an effective tool for the relief of PMS symptoms. Additional randomized controlled clinical trials with different durations and essential oils should be conducted to confirm our findings.

Objectives. Existing evidence produces conflicting findings regarding the effect of sesame intake on inflammatory biomarkers; this knowledge gap has yet to be met through systematic review and meta-analysis. This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effects of sesame consumption on markers of inflammation in humans. Methods. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched through August 2020 to identify relevant papers for inclusion. Using the random-effects model, data were evaluated as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochrane’s Q and I-squared (I2) tests were used to identify within-studies heterogeneity. Results. Seven RCTs with 310 participants (157 intervention and 153 control) were included in the meta-analysis. Sesame consumption reduced serum level interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD − 0.90; 95% CI (−1.71, −0.09), I2 = 80.4%) compared to the control group. However, sesame intake had no significant effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis identified a reduction in serum CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 concentration among studies with participants who had a higher level of these biomarkers at baseline, those which used sesamin capsules, and those with a bigger sample size, those conducted in Asia, and studies on females. Conclusion. Sesame consumption reduced serum levels of IL-6 but did not affect CRP and TNF-α in humans. Additional trials should be conducted utilizing a larger and longer treatment duration, along with studies using different sesame formulations (capsule, oil, and seed) and conducting on participants with varied health conditions.

Scalp dandruff is one of the most common complaints of patients visiting dermatologic clinics. It has significant influence on the self‐confidence and social image of the individuals it affects. The current study aimed to analyze this problem from the viewpoint of Persian medicine. This paper is a literature review in which the text of selected books on Persian medicine is investigated using content analysis based on the theoretical sampling method. The studied keywords in the Persian medicine books included Hozaz, Ebrieh, and Ghooba. Relevant points were extracted from the text of papers selected from PubMed, Scopus, and SID and analyzed further. Persian medicine considers the incidence of scalp dandruff to be an output of the interaction between internal and external factors and concentrates more on disorder in the process of waste removal through the skin and its role in the development of scaling diseases. In order to dandruff treatment, Persian medicine sages considered nutrition, personal hygiene, status of the digestive system, and the health status of other organs in addition to topical treatment. Clinical examination of Persian medicine hypotheses, especially how the quality of skin secretions affects the development of scaly skin, can improve the treatment of scalp dandruff and other scaling skin diseases.

In Persian Medicine (PM), food is considered as a basic concept, the proper understanding of which, will prove beneficial in nutrition of healthy individuals and diet therapy of patients. The objective of this article is to examine the defining attributes of the concept of food in PM. Concept analysis was performed using Walker & Avant's approach, comprising eight stages of 1) selecting a concept; 2) determining the objective of analysis; 3) identifying all uses of the concept; 4) determining the defining attributes of the concept; 5) constructing a model case; 6) constructing borderline, contrary and invented cases; 7) identifying antecedents and consequences; and 8) defining empirical referent. The results showed that, the defining attributes of the concept of food in PM are: 1) replacement of body tissues and organs; 2) resemblance to tissues and organs; 3) adding to body quantity; 4) prerequisites for childbirth; 5) delicious and sweet or tasteless or greasy flavors; and 6) production of blood humors, warmth and moisture. In order to clarify the concept, borderline, contrary and invented cases were also presented. The results of this study can provide an objective and understandable picture of the use of the concept of food for researchers and open new horizons in nutrition and diet therapy.