A Investigation of Medical Ethics in Clinical Trials Involving Herbal and Complementary Medicines

Background: Ethical considerations in clinical trials are vital for balancing medical innovation with human rights. Objectives: This review underscores the importance of protecting participants while pursuing therapeutic advancements, asserting that the rights to health and well-being take precedence over research progress. Clinical and research ethics are crucial in evaluating, guiding, and restricting research activities to uphold participants’ rights and welfare. Methods: A comprehensive list of approved clinical trials focused on herbal products and supplements in Guilan province from 2019 to 2023 was compiled in collaboration with the research deputy. A detailed checklist was created for each study, documenting key aspects including the study topic and types of investigated substances. Out of 38 clinical trials reviewed: Twenty-nine trials (76%) explicitly referred to obtaining informed consent. 9 trials (24%) did not mention participants’ consent to enroll. Results: These findings suggest that most trials complied with medical ethical principles, demonstrating a strong commitment to ethical standards in modern medical research and underscoring respect for the rights of patients and study participants. Conclusions: The findings suggest that although there is progress in conducting ethical clinical research, further attention is required to ensure full compliance with medical ethics in future studies.