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Avicenna’s Concept of Cardiovascular Drug Targeting in Medicamenta Cordialia

Medieval Islamic medicineAvicenna’s Concept of Cardiovascular Drug Targeting in Medicamenta Cordialia

Arman Zargaran, Mohammad M. Zarshenas, Alireza Mehdizadeh, Gholamreza Kordafshari, Abdolali Mohagheghzadeh

Journal of Research on History of Medicine, Vol 2, No 1 Feb (2013)

Abstract

Avicenna (980 – 1037 AD) known as the prince of physicians in the west was one of the most prominent Persian thinkers, philosophers, and physicians. Owing to his interests in cardiology, he authored considerable works on different aspects of cardiology. “Resaley-e-Ragshenasi” (Book on Pulsology) and”Kitab al-Adviyt- ol-Qalbiye” (the book on drugs for cardiovascular diseases) are Avicenna’s great dedication to the field of cardiology. In the field of drug therapy, an important concept which Avicenna touched on was the approach of drug achievement to the site of action in an easier and more efficient way. The mentioned concept is now recognized as “drug targeting” in current medicinal sciences and is an important challenge and field of research in pharmacy. Drug targeting has its starting point just a few decades ago. whereas Avicenna considered the strategy 1000 year ago.

In the mentioned book, Avicenna noted the specific mechanisms of action for cardiovascular drugs before he described each medicament or compound formulation. He also defined the exact role of each medicine in the treatment. Some medicaments meant to be applied for their own specific therapeutic effect. Otherwise some ingredients were used for drug targeting. In this regard, a group called as mofatehat was described. Avicenna believed that these medicaments were capable of easily transporting the heavy and active ingredients through blood vessels. Accordingly, they, as the target of cardiovascular agents couldreach faster to the heart.

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