A systematic on the medicinal plants used in the treatment of postpartum pain in Iran

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D in Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum pain is one of the major and common problems of mothers after childbirth and in order to relieve the pain and to avoid the side effects of chemical drugs, doctors are turning to medicinal herbs. In recent years, with the clear need for evidence-based clinical practice, appropriate and valid information is needed. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the clinical trials studies on the medicinal plants used in the treatment of postpartum pain in Iran.
Methods: In this a systematic review, the data on the effects of medicinal plants on the postpartum pains were collected, without a time limitation, by Persian and English languages keywords, from the databases of PubMed, SID, Iran Medex, IRCT, Google Scholar, Magiran, Science Direct, MedLib, Scopus, Cochranelibra, Web of science and the library site of Shahid Beheshti Medical University and using the keywords of Postnatal care, Postpartum care, Postpartum program, Pain, Herbal medicine, Medicinal plants and Clinical trial. According to the Jadad standard, the articles which obtained the score of ≥3 were entered to the study. The data analysis was conducted qualitatively.
Results: In this study, nine clinical trials including 10 types of medicinal plants (Lavender, Carum carvil, Cuminum cyminum, Ginger, Pimpinella anisum, Apium graveolens, Saffron, Anethum gravelens, Foeniculum and Chamomile) were evaluated. All plants had the desired effects in relieving postpartum pains. Most of these herbs had no side effects or the least side effects. Since the methodology of the studies were non-heterogeneous in terms of quality, meta-analysis was not possible to be done.
Conclusion: Although all plants (Lavender, Carum carvil, Cuminum cyminum, Ginger, Pimpinella anisum, Apium graveolens, Saffron, Anethum gravelens, Foeniculum and Chamomile) reduced postpartum pain and are effective, but the number of such studies for each herb is low; thus, there is no sufficient clinical evidence for the practical application of each of the herbs, and more studies are needed in this field.

Keywords

References

  1. Jangsten E, Bergh I, Mattsson LÅ, Hellström AL, Berg M. Afterpains: a comparison between active and expectant management of the third stage of labor. Birth 2011; 38(4):294-301.
  2. Holdcroft A, Snidvongs S, Cason A, Doré CJ, Berkley KJ. Pain and uterine contractions during breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period increase with parity. Pain 2003; 104(3):589-96.
  3. Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, Hauth JC, Rouse DJ, Spong CY. Williams obstetrics. New York, USA: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc; 2014.
  4. Deussen AR, Ashwood P, Martis R. Analgesia for relief of pain due to uterine cramping/involution after birth. New York: The Cochrane Library; 2011.
  5. Yerby M. Pain in childbearing: key issues in management. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2000.
  6. Lewallen LP, Dick MJ, Wall Y, Zickefoose KT, Hannah SH, Flowers J, et al. Toward a clinically useful method of predicting early breast-feeding attrition. Appl Nurs Res 2006; 19(3):144-8.
  7. Ogunfowokan AA, Babatunde OA. Management of primary dysmenorrhea by school adolescents in ILE-IFE, Nigeria. J Sch Nurs 2010; 26(2):131-6.
  8. Dennehy CE. The use of herbs and dietary supplements in gynecology: an evidence‐based review. J Midwifery Womens Health 2006; 51(6):402-9.
  9. Jadad AR, Moore RA, Carroll D, Jenkinson C, Reynolds DJM, Gavaghan DJ, et al. Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: is blinding necessary? Control Clin Trials 1996; 17(1):1-12.
  10. Darshan S, Doreswamy R. Patented antiinflammatory plant drug development from traditional medicine. Phytother Res 2004; 18(5):343-57.
  11. Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytother Res 2002; 16(4):301-8.
  12. Lis‐Balchin M, Hart S. Studies on the mode of action of the essential oil of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia P. Miller). Phytother Res 1999; 13(6):540-2.
  13. Gomari T. Effect of Lavand essential oil on the delivery after pain, in women goes to Asgarie hospital in Isfahan. [Master's Thesis]. Isfahan, Iran: Isfahan University of Medical Sciences; 2010. (Persian).
  14. Seidler-Lozykowska K, Baranska M, Baranski R, Krol D. Raman analysis of caraway (Carum carvi L.) single fruits. Evaluation of essential oil content and its composition. J Agric Food Chem 2010; 58(9):5271-5.
  15. Keshavarz A, Minaiyan M, Ghannadi A, Mahzouni P. Effects of Carum carvi L. (Caraway) extract and essential oil on TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Res Pharm Sci 2012; 8(1):1-8.
  16. Nahidi F, Rahjoo F, Moattar F. A comparison of the effect of carumcarvi L. VS. mefenamic acid on ibuprofen use on after pains. Facul Nurs Midwifery Quart 2016; 25(91):31-6. (Persian).
  17. Zargari A. Iranian medicinal plants. Tehran: Tehran University Publications; 1997. (Persian).
  18. Akhondzadeh SH. Encyclopedia of Iranian medicinal plants. 1st ed. Tehran: Iranian Instituete of Medicinal Plants; 2000.
  19. Sayyah M, Peirovi A, Kamalinejad M. Anti-nociceptive effect of the fruit essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. in rat. Iran Biomed J 2002; 6(4):141-5.
  20. Tafazoli M, Ahmadabadi MK, Asili J, Esmaeili H. Comparison of cumin and Mefenamic acid on the severity of the postpartum Pain in multiparous women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 16(75):1-11. (Persian).
  21. Biniaz V. A review of the world-wide researches on the therapeutic effects of ginger during the past two years. Jentashapir J Health Res 2013; 4(4):333-7.
  22. Altman RD, Marcussen K. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthrit Rheum 2001; 44(11):2531-8.
  23. Pormaleky S, Najar S, Montazery S, Haghighizadeh M. Comparison between the effects of Zintoma (Ginger) and mefenamic acid on after pain during postpartum in multiparous women. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 16(79):18-25. (Persian).
  24. Haghir HA, Gorji A, Hami J. Effects of Pimpinella Anisum on spreading depression in rat neocortical tissue. J Birjand Univ Med Sci 2010; 17(3):180-8. (Persian).
  25. Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M. Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of Pimpinella anisum. ISRN Pharmaceutics 2012; 2012:1-8.
  26. Khodadadi A, Ozgoli G, Mojab F, Jambarsang S. Comparison of efficasy between herbal capsule of anise and mefnamic acid on afterpain in women. [Master's Thesis]. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences; 2014.
  27. Asif HM, Akram M, Usmanghani K, Akhtar N, Shah PA, Uzair M, et al. Monograph of Apium graveolens Linn. J Med Plants Res 2011; 5(8):1494-6.
  28. Haji-Sharifi MA. Secrets of Iranian heral medicines, shafa version. Tehran: Hafez Novin Publisher; 2009. (Persian).
  29. Gharib Naseri MK, Pilehvaran AA, Shamansouri N. Investigating the spasmolytic activity of celery (Apium Graveolens) leaf hydroalcoholic extract on rat's ileum. J Feyz 2007; 11(3):1-7. (Persian).
  30. Silvan A, Abad M, Bermejo P, Villar A. Effects of compounds extracted from Santolina oblongifolia on TXB2 release in human platelets. Inflammopharmacology 1998; 6(3):255-63.
  31. Shadipour M, Simbar M, Salamzadeh J, Nasire N. A comparative study on the effects of Menstrogol and Mefenamic acid on postpartum after-pain. ISMJ 2014; 16(6):401-9.
  32. Srivastava R, Ahmed H, Dixit RK, Saraf SA. Crocus sativus L.: a comprehensive review. Pharmacogn Rev 2010; 4(8):200-8.
  33. Kianbakht S. A systematic review on pharmacology of saffron and its active constituents. J Med Plants 2008; 4(28):1-27.
  34. Rezaee-Asl M, Bakhtiarian A, Nikoui V, Sabour M, Ostadhadi S, Yadavar-Nikravesh MS, et al. Antinociceptive properties of hydro alcoholic extracts of Anethum graveolens L.(dill) seed and aerial parts in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol 2013; 31(122):1459-2161.
  35. Setayesh MZ, Ganjeali A. Effects of drought stress on growth and physiological characteristics of dill (Anethum graveolens L.). J Horticulture Sci 2013; 27(1):27-35.
  36. Monsefi M, Gramifar F. Effects of aqueous fraction of Anethum graveolens L.(dill) extracts on fertility and terminal sugar of female rat's reproductive system. J Birjand Univ Med Sci 2013; 19(4):362-75. (Persian).
  37. Zagami SE, Golmakani N, Kabirian M. Effect of Dill (Anethum graveolens Linn.) seed on uterus contractions pattern in active phase of labor. Indian J Tradit Know 2012; 11(4):602-6.
  38. Jana S, Shekhawat G. Anethum graveolens: an Indian traditional medicinal herb and spice. Pharm Rev 2010; 4(8):179.
  39. Rajabi Naeeni M, Modarres M, Amiin G, Bahrani N. A comparative study of the effects of cumin and mefenamic acid capsules on secondary dysmenorrhea due to IUD: a randomized triple blind clinical trial. Complement Med J Facul Nurs Midwifery 2013; 3(3):563-73.
  40. da Rocha ML, Oliveira LE, Patricio Santos CC, de Sousa DP, de Almeida RN, Araújo DA. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the monoterpene α, β-epoxy-carvone in mice. J Nat Med 2013; 67(4):743-9.
  41. Kheyriat F, Najafabadi MT, Mosavi P, Haghighizade M, Namjoyan F. Effect of Dill essence and mefenamic acid on postpartum pain. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2016; 19(4):8-16. (Persian).
  42. De Marino S, Gala F, Borbone N, Zollo F, Vitalini S, Visioli F, et al. Phenolic glycosides from Foeniculum vulgare fruit and evaluation of antioxidative activity. Phytochemistry 2007; 68(13):1805-12.
  43. Miguel MG, Cruz C, Faleiro L, Simoes M, Figueiredo AC, Barroso JG, et al. Foeniculum vulgare essential oils: chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Nat Prod Commun 2010; 5(2):319-28.
  44. Choi EM, Hwang JK. Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare. Fitoterapia 2004; 75(6):557-65.
  45. Mahfouz SA, Sharaf-Eldin MA. Effect of mineral vs. biofertilizer on growth, yield, and essential oil content of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Int Agroph 2007; 21(4):361.
  46. Golian Tehranis, Mirmohammadali M, Mehran A, Taghizadea M, Baleghi M. The comparison of fennel and mefenamic acid effects on post-partum after pain. J Babol Univ Med Sci 2015; 17(8):7-13. (Persian).
  47. Jahan M, Koocheki A. Effect of organic production of german chamomile (Maricaria chamomilla L.) on it'; s chemical composition. Pajouhesh Sazandegi 2004; 16(61):87-95. (Persian).
  48. Vahidi A, Dashti M. A Comparison between the analgesic effect of chamomile extract and morphine in syrian mice. J Ardabil Univ Med Sci 2007; 7(4):409-17. (Persian).
  49. Masoumi AY, Abbasnejad M, Derakhshanfar A, Esmaeilpour BK, Mostafavi SA. Effect of matricaria recutita l. aqueous extract on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in adult male rats. Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 14(3):269-80. (Persian).
  50. Vahidi A, Dashti M, Jamaladdini S. Antinociceptive effect of chamomill on formalin induced pain in rat. J Shahid Sadoughi Univ Med Sci Health Serv 2001; 9(2):60-5. (Persian).
  51. Stokker K. Remedies and rituals: folk medicine in Norway and the New Land. Minnesota: Minnesota Historical Society; 2007.
  52. Srivastava JK, Pandey M, Gupta S. Chamomile, a novel and selective COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity. Life Sci 2009; 85(19):663-9.
  53. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytother Res 2006; 20(8):619-33.
  54. Abedian Z, Fard Rezvani M, Asili J, Esmaeili H, Dadgar S. Comparison of the Effect of chamomile matricaria and mefenamic acid capsules on postpartum hemorrhage in women with postpartum pain. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2016; 19(14):1-8. (Persian).
  55. Heidari MR, Asadi Pour A, Sepehri GH, Atapour N. Study of the analgesic effect of pimpinella anisun extract by tail-flick and formalin test in mice. J Babol Univ Med Sci 1999; 1(3):42-51. (Persian).
  56. Nasri S, Ramazani M, Yasna N. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens. Shahrekord Univ Med Sci J 2009; 10(4):25-31. (Persian).
  57. Arbabian S, Izadi HR, Ghoshouni H, Shams J, Zardouz H, Kamalinezhad M, et al. Effect of water extract of saffron (Crocus sativus) on chronic phase of formaline test in female mice. Kowsar Med J 2009; 14(1):11-8. (Persian).
  58. Fazel N, Esmaili H. The effect of cumin oil on the flatulence intensity after cesarean section. J Feyz 2005; 9(3):8-12.
  59. Yazdani D, Jamshidi AH, Rezazadeh S, Mojab F, Shahnazi S. Variaion of essential oil percentage and constituent at different growth stages of dill (Anethum graveolens L.). J Med Plants 2004; 3(11):38-41.
  60. Mohammadinia N, Rezaei MA, Salehian T, Dashipour AR. Comparing the effect of Anethum gravolens with mefenamic acid consumption on treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. J Shahrekord Univ Med Sci 2013; 15(5):57-64. (Persian).
  61. Lavagna SM, Secci D, Chimenti P, Bonsignore L, Ottaviani A, Bizzarri B. Efficacy of Hypericum and Calendula oils in the epithelial reconstruction of surgical wounds in childbirth with caesarean section. Farmaco 2001; 56(5-7):451-3.
  62. Ozgoli G, Aryamanesh Z, Mojab F, Alavi Majd H. A Study of Inhalation of peppermint aroma on the pain and anxiety of the first stage of labor in nulliparous women: a randomized clinical trial. Qom Univ Med Sci J 2013; 7(3):21-7. (Persian).
  63. Mirzaei F, Keshtgar S, Kaviani M, Rajaeifard AR. The effect of lavender essence smelling during labor on cortisol and serotonin plasma levels and anxiety reduction in nulliparous women. J Kerman Univ Med Sci 2009; 16(3):245-54. (Persian).
  64. McKinney ES, James SR, Murray SS, Nelson K. Maternal-child nursing. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013.
  65. Modarres M, Mirmohhamad AM, Oshrieh Z, Mehran A. Comparison of the effect of mefenamic acid and matricaria camomilla capsules on primary dysmenorrhea. J Babol Univ Med Sci 2011; 13(3):50-8. (Persian).
  66. Salamon I. Chamomile: a medicinal plant. Massachusetts: The Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest; 1992.
  67. Golian Tehrani S, Mirmohammadali M, Mehran A, Taghizadea M, Baleghi M. The comparison of Fennel and Mefenamic Acid effects on post-partum after pain. J Babol Univ Med Sci 2015; 17(8):7-13. (Persian).
  68. Bokaie M, Farajkhoda T, Enjezab B, Khoshbin A, Mojgan KZ. Oral fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) drop effect on primary dysmenorrhea: effectiveness of herbal drug. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2013; 18(2):128.
  69. Omidvar S, Esmailzadeh S, Baradaran M, Basirat Z. Effect of fennel on pain intensity in dysmenorrhoea: a placebo-controlled trial. Ayu 2012; 33(2):311-3.
  70. Modaress Nejad V, Motamedi B. Comparison between the pain-relief effect of fennel and mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2006; 5(1):1-6. (Persian).
  71. Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F, Valaie N. Comparing ginger with mefenamic acid and ibubrofen for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Res Med 2007; 31(1):61-5. (Persian).
  72. Shirvani MA, Motahari-Tabari N, Alipour A. The effect of mefenamic acid and ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2015; 291(6):1277-81.
  73. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. J Med Food 2005; 8(2):125-32.
  74. Dhippayom T, Kongkaew C, Chaiyakunapruk N, Dilokthornsakul P, Sruamsiri R, Saokaew S, et al. Clinical effects of Thai herbal compress: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015; 2015:942378.
The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 20, Issue 5
July 2017
Pages 84-96

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics