TY - JOUR
AR - JICOA-2020-4-114
TI - Targeting Atherosclerotic Plaque in Avicenna’s View
AU - Maryam , Yakhchali
AU - Mahdi Alizadeh , Vaghasloo
AU - Mehran Mirabzadeh , Ardakani
AU - Mahdi , Vazirian
AU - Sima , Sadrai
JO - Journal of Integrative Cardiology Open Access
PY - 2020
DA - Thu 10, Sep 2020
SN - 2674-2489
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.JICOA.2020.04.14
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/targeting-atherosclerotic-plaque-in-avicenna-s-view_JICOA-2020-4-114 
KW - Atherosclerosis, Persian medicine, sodde, obstruction, Mofatteh
AB - Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) including atherosclerosis is currently the most common cause of
death in the world. Atherosclerosis can be treated by a vast variety of modalities: from lifestyle modification
to invasive open surgical bypass procedures. Regarding the limitations of conventional medicine, worldwide
attention to complementary and alternative medicines has increased because of their holistic approach, lower
cost and better public access. In this move towards Integrative Medicine -besides other traditional schools
of medicine-Persian Medicine (PM) with its long historical background should be considered as a suitable
source for research.
Method: In this study we investigated major traditional literature of PM, Avicenna’s “Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb”
[The Canon of medicine], to find suitable treatment modalities of atherosclerosis in comparison to
conventional methods.
Result: In the quest for a concept close to atherosclerosis, “sodde” (meaning obstruction) seems to be equal
to atherosclerosis and “Mofattehaat” as opener drugs with different types including “Mohallelaat”
(dissolvers) and “Moghatteaat” (cutting agents) have been recommended to remove the obstructing
materials. Recent studies indicate that many of the medicinal herbs which were introduced as opener drugs
by Avicenna have potential pharmacological effects on managing atherosclerosis.
Conclusion: Scientific evidence confirm the efficacy of traditional herbs for elimination of atheroma. Antiobstructive traditional medicines are similar to the conventional atherectomy in targeting atheroma by
removing atherosclerotic plaque directly, but they are non-invasive, user-friendly, much cheaper and
probably with less side effects.