Ameliorating Role Exerted by Al-Hijamah in Autoimmune Diseases : Effect on Serum Autoantibodies and Inflammatory Mediators

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases have common properties characterized by abnormal blood chemistry with high serum autoimmune antibodies, and inflammatory mediators. Those causative pathological substances (CPS) cannot be excreted by physiological mechanisms. Current treatments for autoimmune diseases involve steroids, cytotoxic drugs, plasmapheresis and monoclonal antibodies. Wet cupping therapy (WCT) of prophetic medicine is called Al-hijamah that treats numerous diseases having different etiology and pathogenesis via a pressure-dependent and size-dependent non-specific filtration then excretion of CPS causing clearance of blood and interstitial fluids. Al-hijamah clears blood passing through the fenestrated skin capillaries. Medical bases of Al-hijamah were reported in the evidence-based Taibah mechanism (Taibah theory). Al-hijamah was reported to be an excellent treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that improved patients' blood chemistry and induced significant clinical improvement and pharmacological potentiation. Al-hijamah improved the natural immunity and suppressed the pathological immunity through decreasing the serum level of autoantibodies, inflammatory mediators, and serum ferritin (a key player in autoimmunity). Al-hijamah reduced significantly pain severity, number of swollen joints and disease activity with no significant side effects. Main steps of Al-hijamah are skin suction (cupping), scarification (sharatmihjam in Arabic) and second suction (triple S technique) that is better therapeutically than the traditional WCT (double S technique). Whenever an excess noxious substance is to be removed from patients' blood and interstitial fluids, Al-hijamah is indicated.Shartatmihjam is a curative treatment in prophetic teachings according to the prophetic hadeeth: "Cure is in three: in shartatmihjam, oral honey and cauterization. I do not recommend my nation to cauterize".Al-hijamah may have better therapeutic benefits than plasmapheresis. Al-hijamah may be promising in treating autoimmune diseases as a sole treatment or adjuvant treatment.

Comparison Biochemistries of Obtained Blood Products between The Hijama and Phlebotomy Techniques of Traditional Islamic Remedy;Healthy Young Adults at Fasting State

“…Nowaday, Hijama was applied as therapy, adjuvant treatment [24], and enhanced natural immunity [25]. The Avicenna is the father of modern medicine (980 -1037), brought into effective action Hijama as an Interventional therapy [26]. The aim of the study was to compare biochemistries of blood products between the Hijama and the phlebotomy techniques among healthy young adults at fasting state.…”

The Compound Effect of Cupping Therapy: Searching Beyond the Meridians

“…The majority of modern medical practitioners attempted to keep their distance from the mechanisms offered by traditional medicine to explain the effects of CT and focused on theories from the perspective of modern medicine [32,33]. The pain gate theory [34,35], diffuse noxious inhibitory control [36][37][38] the reflex zone theory, the activation of the immune system [10,39,40], and blood detoxification were among the proposed explanations [41]. However, no single theory has been able to explain CT's mechanism of action.…”

“…Modern research on the specific effects of cupping using advanced techniques [49], or measuring specific hematological and biochemical parameters [10,40] is an excellent achievement. Nevertheless, it may explain only part of the compound effect of CT.…”

The Wet Cupping Therapy Stimulates Inflammatory Responses

“…Multiple mechanisms exist to regulate the function of self-recognizing T lymphocytes including peripheral deletion mechanisms, induction of anergy and active suppression of self-reacting lymphocytes. Immunopathology of autoimmune diseases involves participation of autoantibodies, complement activation and disorders related to cell-mediated and humoral immunity [3].…”

“…The evidences in experimental show that antibacterial defense are macrophages and T lymphocytes. Mononuclear phagocyte cells or macrophages play a role as main effectors while T lymphocytes as protection or immune supporter [3].…”