Review of an Aloe-Based Formulation Used in Iranian Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Context: In Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), purgation is a simple and effective way of removing waste humors from the body. Purgation not only increases peristaltic movements in the gastrointestinal system but also relieves many symptoms that arise due to the retention of waste humors in the body’s organs. The aim of the present study is to introduce one of the most important Aloe-based purgative medications used in ITM: Ayarij-e-Faiqra. Evidence Acquisition: The main Iranian medical and pharmaceutical text books, composed between the 9th and 19th centuries, were searched for key words related to Ayarij and Faiqra. All references to and formulations of Ayarij-e-Faiqra were reviewed. Then, scientific databases, including Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for references to the biological effects of the plants used in Ayarij-e-Faiqra formulations. Results: Ayarij is the common name for medicines that contain a purgative agent as the main constituent. Other ingredients are often added to improve efficacy and reduce side effects, or to allow the medicine to function as a delivering agent. Aloe is the main constituent of Ayarij-e-Faiqra. It has a wide range of indications and an important role in balancing the body’s humors in ITM. It can be used, therefore, in the treatment of various diseases. The prescriptions given differ across the manuscripts studied, with some formulations having been used more often, although the instructions for administration and dosage tend to differ. Conclusions: In both ITM and modern medicine, Ayarij-e-Faiqra is a powerful purgative medicine because Aloe spp. dried juice is the main ingredient. This juice has been used with other components to increase the efficacy of the medicine and to reduce the adverse effects associated with Ayarij-e-Faiqra. In ITM, purgative medicine expels and eliminates waste humors from body systems. In modern medicine, most studies focus on the polysaccharide constituent of Aloe spp. gel (not the juice), and although data about the modifying effects of each separate ingredient in Ayarij-e-Faiqra can be found, more studies are required that analyze all the ingredients in Aloe spp. dried juice in order to give a complete medical profile for Ayarij-e-Faiqra.