year 25, Issue 97 (6-2026)
J. Med. Plants 2026, 25(97): 32-44 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Hojjati Kermani M A, Abdolahina A, Daneshfard B, Tabarsi P, Jamaati H R. Natural treatments of Tuberculosis in Avicenna’s canon: Historical insights and modern evidence. J. Med. Plants 2026; 25 (97) :32-44
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3698-en.html
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3698-en.html
Mohammd Ali Hojjati Kermani1 
, Ali Abdolahina2 , Babak Daneshfard *3 , Payam Tabarsi1 , Hamid Reza Jamaati4
, Ali Abdolahina2 , Babak Daneshfard *3 , Payam Tabarsi1 , Hamid Reza Jamaati4
1- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Persian Medicine Network (PMN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
3- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Persian Medicine Network (PMN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Canadian College of Integrative Medicine (CCIM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mizaj Health Research Institute (MHRI), Tehran, Iran; Paya Persian Medicine Clinic (PPMC), Tehran, Iran ,daneshfard@sbmu.ac.ir
4- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Persian Medicine Network (PMN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
3- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Persian Medicine Network (PMN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Canadian College of Integrative Medicine (CCIM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mizaj Health Research Institute (MHRI), Tehran, Iran; Paya Persian Medicine Clinic (PPMC), Tehran, Iran ,
4- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (11 Views)
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health concern with significant long-term complications. Avicenna, the eminent Persian physician, described various natural treatments for TB in his medical encyclopedia, The Canon of Medicine. These included not only medicinal plants such as jujube, licorice, and chicory, but also natural substances like honey and raisins, which are believed to support immune function and mitigate inflammation. Objective: This study aimed to examine the evidence supporting Avicenna's recommendations and assess the efficacy of these treatments. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted using primary historical texts from The Canon of Medicine, alongside modern scientific literature on the pharmacological and immunomodulatory properties of the recommended natural treatments. Results: The findings suggest that these natural substances possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which may enhance adaptive immunity and reduce inflammation. However, clinical evidence on their direct impact on TB treatment outcomes remains limited and requires further investigation. Conclusion: Integrating Avicenna's natural treatment strategies with modern medical approaches may offer valuable adjunct therapies for TB management. Further clinical research is needed to establish their efficacy and safety in reducing TB-related complications and to explore their role in comprehensive TB treatment protocols.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Medicinal Plants
Received: 2024/07/10 | Accepted: 2026/04/21 | Published: 2026/06/6
Received: 2024/07/10 | Accepted: 2026/04/21 | Published: 2026/06/6
References
1. MacNeil A, Glaziou P, Sismanidis C, Date A, Maloney S and Floyd K. Global Epidemiology of Tuberculosis and Progress Toward Meeting Global Targets - Worldwide, 2018. MMWR. 2020; 69(11): 281-285. [DOI:10.15585/mmwr.mm6911a2]
2. Huaman MA and Sterling TR. Treatment of latent Tuberculosis infection-An update. Clin. Chest. Med. 2019; 40(4): 839-848. [DOI:10.1016/j.ccm.2019.07.008]
3. Sargazi A, Gharebagh RA, Sargazi A, Aali H, Oskoee HO and Sepehri Z. Role of essential trace elements in Tuberculosis infection: A review article. Indian J. Tuberc. 2017; 64(4): 246-251. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijtb.2017.03.003]
4. Yew WW, Lange C and Leung CC. Treatment of Tuberculosis: Update 2010. Eur. Respir. J. 2011; 37(2): 441-62. [DOI:10.1183/09031936.00033010]
5. Daneshfard B, Sanaye MR and Nimrouzi M. Prolegomena to a true integrative medical paradigm. Altern. Ther. Health Med. 2019; 25(2): 50-60. AT5662.
6. Kraft K. Complementary/Alternative medicine in the context of prevention of disease and maintenance of health. Prev. Med. 2009; 49(2-3): 88-92. [DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.05.003]
7. Organization WHO. National policy on traditional medicine and regulation of herbal medicines: Report of a WHO global survey. World Health Organization. 2005.
8. Anochie PI, Ndingkokhar B, Bueno J, Anyiam FE, Ossai-Chidi LN, Onyeneke EC and Onyeozirila AC. African medicinal plants that can control or cure Tuberculosis. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Dev. Res. 2018; 4(1): 1-8.
9. Chand KS, Manchanda RK, Mittal R, Batra S, Banavaliker JN and De I. Homeopathic treatment in addition to standard care in multi drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Homeopathy. 2014; 103(2): 97-107. [DOI:10.1016/j.homp.2013.12.003]
10. Kaura T, Sharmaa P, Guptac GK, Ntie-Kangd F and Kumara D. Treatment of Tuberculosis by natural drugs: A review. Plant Arch. 2019; 19(Supp. 2): 2168-2176.
11. Nimrouzi M, Daneshfard B, Tafazoli V and Akrami R. Insomnia in traditional Persian medicine. Acta Med. Hist. Adriat. 2019; 17(1): 45-54. [DOI:10.31952/amha.17.1.2]
12. Nimrouzi M and Zare M. Principles of nutrition in Islamic and traditional Persian medicine. J. Evid. Based Complementary Altern. Med. 2014; 19(4): 267-70. [DOI:10.1177/2156587214542006]
13. Avicenna. Al-Qanoon fi al-Teb. Beirut, Lebanon: American University of Beirut. 2005: 43-99.
14. Pormann PE. Avicenna on medical practice, epistemology, and the physiology of the inner senses. Interpreting Avicenna: Critical Essays. 2013: 91-108. [DOI:10.1017/CBO9781139047890.006]
15. Ji X, Hou C, Yan Y, Shi M and Liu Y. Comparison of structural characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2020; 149: 1008-1018. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.018]
16. Abedi S, Iranbakhsh A, Ardebili ZO and Ebadi M. Nitric oxide and selenium nanoparticles confer changes in growth, metabolism, antioxidant machinery, gene expression, and flowering in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.): potential benefits and risk assessment. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 2021; 28(3): 3136-3148. [DOI:10.1007/s11356-020-10706-2]
17. Qin L, Wang H, Zhang W, Pan M, Xie H and Guo X. Effects of different drying methods on phenolic substances and antioxidant activities of seedless raisins. LWT. 2020; 131: 109807. [DOI:10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109807]
18. Biluca FC, da Silva B, Caon T, Mohr ETB, Vieira GN, Gonzaga LV, Vitali L, Micke G, Fett R, Dalmarco EM and Costa ACO. Investigation of phenolic compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in stingless bee honey (Meliponinae). Food Res. Int. 2020; 129: 108756. [DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108756]
19. Venkatachalam D, Kumar KS and Umadevi M. Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Zizyphus jujuba. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. 2020; 9(3): 1510-1513.
20. Zhang R, Sun X, Zhang K, Zhang Y, Song Y and Wang F. Fatty acid composition of 21 cultivars of Chinese jujube fruits (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.). J. Food Measure. Characteri. 2021; 15(1): 1-16. [DOI:10.1007/s11694-020-00718-4]
21. Gao Q-H, Wu C-S and Wang M. The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit: A review of current knowledge of fruit composition and health benefits. J. Agric Food Chem. 2013; 61(14): 3351-63. [DOI:10.1021/jf4007032]
22. Shams Najafabadi N, Sahari M, Barzegar M and Hamidi Esfahani Z. Role of extraction conditions in the recovery of some phytochemical compounds of the jujube fruit. JAST. 2020; 22(2): 439-51.
23. Preeti and Tripathi S. Ziziphus jujuba: A phytopharmacological review. Inter. J. Res. Develop. Pharm. Life Sci. 2014; 3(3): 959-66.
24. Khamevar A, Shayestehazar M, Shafaei S and Yosefi SS. Joint classification from the viewpoint of Avicenna and modern medicine. Int. Orthop. 2021; 45(3): 791-793. [DOI:10.1007/s00264-020-04548-3]
25. Wang D, Zhao Y, Jiao Y, Yu L, Yang S and Yang X. Antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of the polysaccharides from Zizyphus jujube cv. Shaanbeitanzao. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2012; 88(4): 1453-59. [DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.02.046]
26. Ji X, Peng Q, Yuan Y, Shen J, Xie X and Wang M. Isolation, structures and bioactivities of the polysaccharides from jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.): A review. Food Chem. 2017; 227: 349-57. [DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.01.074]
27. Liu X-X, Hua-Min L, Yan Y-Y, Fan L-Y, Yang J-N, Wang X-D and Qin G-Y. Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides extracted from jujube using subcritical water. LWT. 2020; 117: 108645. [DOI:10.1016/j.lwt.2019.108645]
28. Alipour Barzegar S and Amouoghli Tabrizi B. Preventive effects of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) extract on hepatic steatosis in the rats fed with high fat diet. J. Compar. Pathobiol. 2017; 13(55): 2037-50.
29. Qiang X, Yang L, Ran H, Sheng Y, Jie T, Xu L, Yi Ch and Xiaoyu X. Lyophilized powder of catalpol and puerarin protects neurovascular unit from stroke. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2016; 12(4): 367-80. [DOI:10.7150/ijbs.14059]
30. Chen J and Tsim KW. A Review of edible Jujube, the Ziziphus jujuba fruit: A heath food supplement for Anemia prevalence. Front Pharmacol. 2020; 11: 593655. [DOI:10.3389/fphar.2020.593655]
31. Maddahi SZ. Description of pulmonary tuberculosis in Persian medicine texts and Evaluation of efficacy of Ziziphus vulgaris formula to prevention of "drug induced liver enzyme disorder" in pulmonary tuberculosis Patients. Doctoral dissertation, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences; 2020.
32. Obolentseva GV, Litvinenko VI, Ammosov AS, Popova TP and Sampiev AM. Pharmacological and therapeutic properties of licorice preparations (A review). Pharm. Chem. J. 2012; 33(8): 427-34. [DOI:10.1007/BF02510095]
33. Alagawany M, Elnesr SS, Farag MR, El-Hack MEA, Khafaga AF, Taha AE, Tiwari R, Yatoo MI, Bhatt P, Marappan G and Dhama K. Use of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) herb as a feed additive in poultry: Current knowledge and prospects. Animals. 2019; 9(8): 536. [DOI:10.3390/ani9080536]
34. Mamedov N and Egamberdieva D. Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological effects of licorice: A review: Pharmacology and therapeutic uses. In: Plant and Human Health, 2019: 3: 1-21. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1]
35. Lee C-H, Park S-W, Kim YS, Kang SS, Kim JA, Lee SH and Lee S-M. Protective mechanism of glycyrrhizin on acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2007; 30(10): 1898-904. [DOI:10.1248/bpb.30.1898]
36. Peng J and Yi L. Efficacy of compound glycyrrhizin injection plus tablets for liver prophylaxis for inpatients with hepatitis induced by anti-tuberculosis drugs. Chinese J. New Drugs. 2006; 15(24): 2152-4.
37. Peng S, Li E, Jiewen Q and Miaoling C. The clinical observation of the effects of compound glycyrrhizin in treating hepatitis caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs. Modern Hospital. 2006; 6(8): 52-3.
38. Perović J, Šaponjac VT, Kojić J, Krulj J, Moreno DA, García-Viguera C, Bodroža-solarov M and Ilić N. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as a food ingredient-nutritional composition, bioactivity, safety, and health claims: A review. Food Chem. 2021; 336: 127676. [DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127676]
39. Abbas ZK, Saggu S, Sakeran MI, Zidan N, Rehman H and Ansari AA. Phytochemical, antioxidant and mineral composition of hydroalcoholic extract of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) leaves. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2015; 22(3): 322-6. [DOI:10.1016/j.sjbs.2014.11.015]
40. Mulabagal V, Wang H, Ngouajio M and Nair MG. Characterization and quantification of health beneficial anthocyanins in leaf chicory (Cichorium intybus) varieties. Eur. Food Res. Technol. 2009; 230(1): 47-53. [DOI:10.1007/s00217-009-1144-7]
41. Jančić D, Todorović V, Basić Z and Šobajić S. Chemical composition and nutritive potential of Cichorium intybus L. leaves from Montenegro. J. Serb. Chem. Soc. 2016; 81(10): 1141-9. [DOI:10.2298/JSC160313057S]
42. Arif M, Hayat Z, Abd El-Hack ME, Saeed M, Imran HM, Alowaimer AN, Saadeldin I, Taha AE and Swelum AA. Impacts of supplementing broiler diets with a powder mixture of black cumin, Moringa and chicory seeds. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 2019; 49(3): 564-72. [DOI:10.4314/sajas.v49i3.17]
43. Pouille CL, Jegou D, Dugardin C, Cudennec B, Ravallec R, Hance P, Rambaud C, Hilbert J-L and Lucau-Danila A. Chicory root flour-A functional food with potential multiple health benefits evaluated in a mice model. J. Funct Foods. 2020; 74: 104174. [DOI:10.1016/j.jff.2020.104174]
44. Nwafor IC, Shale K and Achilonu MC. Chemical composition and nutritive benefits of chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an ideal complementary and/or alternative livestock feed supplement. Sci. World J. 2017; 2017(1): 7343928. [DOI:10.1155/2017/7343928]
45. Le Bastard Q, Chapelet G, Javaudin F, Lepelletier D, Batard E and Montassier E. The effects of inulin on gut microbial composition: a systematic review of evidence from human studies. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 2020; 39(3): 403-13. [DOI:10.1007/s10096-019-03721-w]
46. Jafari-Sales A and Bolouri P. Evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra l. on some gram positive and gram negative pathogenic bacteria in laboratory conditions. Jorjani Biomed. J. 2018; 6(4): 78-84. [DOI:10.29252/jorjanibiomedj.6.4.78]
47. Liu H, Wang Q, Liu Y, Chen G and Cui J. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Cichorium intybus root extract using orthogonal matrix design. J. Food Sci. 2013; 78(2): M258-63. [DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.12040]
48. He Y, Yang T, Du Y, Qin L, Ma F, Wu Z, Ling H, Yang L, Wang Z, Zhou Q, Ge G and Lu Y. High fat diet significantly changed the global gene expression profile involved in hepatic drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic system in mice. Nutr. Metab. (Lond). 2020; 17: 37. [DOI:10.1186/s12986-020-00456-w]
49. Alvarez-Suarez JM, Tulipani S, Romandini S, Bertoli E and Battino M. Contribution of honey in nutrition and human health: A review. Mediterr. J. Nutr. Metab. 2010; 3(1): 15-23. [DOI:10.1007/s12349-009-0051-6]
50. Bogdanov S. Nature and origin of the antibacterial substances in honey. LWT. 1997; 30(7): 748-53. [DOI:10.1006/fstl.1997.0259]
51. Hbibi A, Sikkou K, Khedid K, El Hamzaoui S, Bouziane A and Benazza D. Antimicrobial activity of honey in periodontal disease: A systematic review. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 2020; 75(4): 807-26. [DOI:10.1093/jac/dkz527]
52. Łozowicka B, Kaczyński P and Iwaniuk P. Analysis of 22 free amino acids in honey from Eastern Europe and Central Asia using LC-MS/MS technique without derivatization step. J. Food Compost. Anal. 2021; 98: 103837. [DOI:10.1016/j.jfca.2021.103837]
53. Al-Waili NS and Boni NS. Natural honey lowers plasma prostaglandin concentrations in normal individuals. J. Med. Food. 2003; 6(2): 129-33. [DOI:10.1089/109662003322233530]
54. Bilsel Y, Bugra D, Yamaner S, Bulut T, Cevikbas U and Turkoglu U. Could honey have a place in colitis therapy? Effects of honey, prednisolone, and disulfiram on inflammation, nitric oxide, and free radical formation. Dig. Surg. 2002; 19(4): 306-11. [DOI:10.1159/000064580]
55. Sethi S, Medhi B, Kumar S, Puri A and Sharma M. Effect of Manuka Honey on MDR TB: An in vitro study. J. Ration. Pharmacother. Res. 2013; 1(1): 61-3.
56. Asadi-Pooya AA, Pnjehshahin MR and Beheshti S. The antimycobacterial effect of honey: An in vitro study. Riv. Biol. 2003; 96(3): 491-5.
57. Olmo-Cunillera A, Escobar-Avello D, Pérez AJ, Marhuenda-Muñoz M, Lamuela-Raventós RM and Vallverdú-Queralt A. Is eating raisins healthy? Nutrients. 2019; 12(1): 54. [DOI:10.3390/nu12010054]
58. Restani P, Frigerio G, Colombo F, de Sousa L, Altindişli A, Pastor RF and Di Lorenzo CD. Raisins in human health: A review. In: BIO. Web of Conferences. 2016; 7(13 S1): 04005. [DOI:10.1051/bioconf/20160704005]
59. Sun Z, Lu W, Lin N, Lin H, Zhang J, Ni T, Meng L, Zhang C and Guo H. Dihydromyricetin alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome through activation of SIRT1. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2020; 175: 113888. [DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113888]
60. Puglisi MJ, Vaishnav U, Shrestha S, Torres-Gonzalez M, Wood RJ, Volek JS and Fernandez ML. Raisins and additional walking have distinct effects on plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines. Lipids Health Dis. 2008; 7: 14. [DOI:10.1186/1476-511X-7-14]
61. Mandalari G, Chan L and Carughi A. Effect of sun‐dried Raisins (Vitis vinifera L.) on the in vitro composition of Gut microbiota. FASEB J. 2015; 29(S1): 924.920. [DOI:10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.924.20]
62. Chi A, Kang C, Zhang Y, Tang L, Guo H, Li H and Zhang K. Immunomodulating and antioxidant effects of polysaccharide conjugates from the fruits of Ziziphus jujube on chronic fatigue syndrome rats. Carbohydr. Polym. 2015; 122: 189-96. [DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.12.082]
63. Dziewulska D, Stenzel T, Śmiałek M, Tykałowski B and Koncicki AJBvr. The impact of Aloe vera and licorice extracts on selected mechanisms of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in pigeons experimentally infected with PPMV-1. BMC Vet. Res. 2018; 14: 148. [DOI:10.1186/s12917-018-1467-3]
64. Shen X, Tang Y, Yang R, Yu L, Fang T and Duan JA. The protective effect of Zizyphus jujube fruit on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in mice by anti-oxidative activities. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2009; 122(3): 555-60. [DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.027]
65. Jung J-C, Lee Y-H, Kim SH, Kim K-J, Kim K-M, Oh S and Jung Y-S. Hepatoprotective effect of licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, in alcohol-induced fatty liver disease. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2016; 16(1): 19. [DOI:10.1186/s12906-016-0997-0]
66. Tian X, Gan W, Nie Y, Ying R, Tan Y, Chen J, Chen M and Zhang C. Clinical efficacy and security of glycyrrhizic acid preparation in the treatment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug-induced liver injury: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2021; 11(7): e051484. [DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051484]
67. Stefanis C, Stavropoulou E, Giorgi E, Voidarou CC, Constantinidis TC, Vrioni G and Tsakris A. Honey's antioxidant and antimicrobial properties: A bibliometric study. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023; 12(2): 414. [DOI:10.3390/antiox12020414]
68. Schuster MJ, Wang X, Hawkins T, Painter JE. A comprehensive review of raisins and raisin components and their relationship to human health. J. Nutr. Health. 2017; 50(3): 203-16. [DOI:10.4163/jnh.2017.50.3.203]
69. Sabri SM, Takruri HR, Al-Ismail KM. Nutrient composition, antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effect of Jujube fruit: A general review. J. Pharm. Nutr. Sci. 2021; 11: 164-74. [DOI:10.29169/1927-5951.2021.11.19]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
