Unani System Of Medicine Research Articles

Therapeutic potentials and untoward effects of Piper betle and its quid

Piper betle Linn. (PB), which belongs to the family Piperaceae, is used traditionally in many Asian countries for treatment of a variety of aliments. It has also been used in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine. PB leaves are also used as a masticatory in the form of quid. The basic preparation of PB leaves for chewing purposes (PB quid) is known as Paan in India. It is recommended in ancient scripture of Ayurveda and is closely associated with Indian culture. PB is reported to have several therapeutic potentials as well as to produce some untoward effects. The review deals with phytoconstituents present, therapeutic potentials and untoward effects of PB.

Screening and optimization of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees for total andrographolide content, yield and its components

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae), commonly known as Kalmegh is used both in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for a number of ailments related to digestion, hepatoprotection, hypoglycemic, and as anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vermicidal and antiacene. Ten accessions of A. paniculata from different sources were screened to assess the yield and its components besides andrographolides on three harvesting dates viz. 70, 100, 130 days after plantation corresponding to calendar months of September, October and November. The results revealed its successful growth in the subtropical region of Jammu, with last week of October ideal for obtaining maximum dry herbage (931.3 kg/ha) and total andrographolide yield (61.83 kg/ha), respectively. On the basis of leaf/stem ratio the relative estimates of total andrographolide is higher in October (46%) than September (15%) or November (39%). Accession Acc.1 and Acc.9 have been identified as the best sources for obtaining higher drug yield.

Abnormal gait and non-Alzheimer dementia

Premna integrifolia (Agnimantha brihat) is a traditional medicinal plant with a prominent place in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine. In this study we have evaluated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of the Premna integrifolia root extracts employing cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme-based assays, lymphocyte proliferation assay, pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines measurement. Petroleum ether extract (PEE) of Premna integrifolia showed potent inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX with IC50 values of 6.15 μg/mL and 11.33 μg/mL respectively. In in vitro studies on RAW 264.7 cell line, PEE showed inhibition in the formation of nitric oxide (NO), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, induction of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-2) and down-regulation of expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS. PEE also significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in mouse model of inflammation. Further, attempts in isolating the active principle(s) involved in these anti-inflammatory effects of PEE by separation on RP-HPLC resulted in the isolation of four active peaks, H1, H2, H3 and H5, inhibiting COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX, out of which H3 was identified as 6- hydroxy salvinolone (6-HS). Present findings reveal that PEE of roots of Premna integrifolia exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, which could form a potential source for development of anti-inflammatory drugs. 6-HS, a COX-2/5-LOX dual inhibitor along with other lead molecules isolated from PEE of Premna integrifolia may form lead molecules for the development of COX-LOX dual inhibitors.

Making Medicine Indigenous: Homeopathy in South India

Historical studies of homeopathy in Europe and the USA have focused on practitioners' attempts to emphasize 'modern' and 'scientific' approaches. Studies of homeopathy in India have focused on a process of Indianization. Arguing against such unilineal trajectories, this paper situates homeopathy in South India within the context of shifting relations between 'scientific' and 'indigenous' systems of medicine. Three time periods are considered. From 1924 through 1934, homeopathy was singled out by Government of Madras officials as 'scientific', as contrasted with the 'indigenous' Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani systems of medicine. From 1947 through 1960, both 'indigenous' and 'scientific' interpretations of homeopathy were put forward by different factions. An honorary director of homeopathy proposed the Indianization of homeopathy, and its reconciliation with Ayurveda; this view conflicted with the Madras government's policy of expanding the 'scientific' medical curriculum of the Government College of Indigenous Medicine. It was not until the early 1970s that homeopathy was officially recognized in Tamilnadu State. By then, both homeopathy and Ayurveda had become conceptualized as non-Tamil, in contrast with promotion of the Tamil Siddha system of 'indigenous' medicine. Thus, constructs of 'indigenous' and 'scientific' systems of medicine are quite malleable with respect to homeopathy in South India.

A new and convenient method for quantitative estimation of chrysophanol, an antioxidant in the rhizomes ofRheum emodi(Roxb)

Rheum emodi is an important medicinal plant widely used in the Unani system of medicine. A simple, precise and convenient HPTLC method has been developed for analysis of chrysophanol, an antioxidant and a major constituent of the rhizomes of Rheum emodi (Polygonacea) and pharmaceutical formulations of these. This method uses chrysophanol as internal standard. The stationary phase was silica gel 60F 254 , and hexane-ethyl acetate, 45 + 5 ( v/v ) was used as mobile phase. Detection and quantification were performed densitometrically at λ max = 366 nm. The method is characterized by high sensitivity and linearity over a wide concentration range. The results obtained were evaluated statistically.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective potential of jigrine post-treatment against thioacetamide induced hepatic damage

Jigrine a polypharmaceutical herbal formulation containing aqueous extracts of 14 medicinal plants developed on the principles of unani system of medicine is used for liver ailments. The hepatoprotective potential of jigrine post-treatment at the dose of 0.5 ml/kg per day p.o. for 21 days was evaluated against thiocetamide induced liver damage in rats. Biochemical parameters like AST, ALT in serum and TBARS and glutathione in tissues were estimated to assess liver function. Data on the biochemical parameters revealed hepatoprotective potential of jigrine post-treatment against thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Silymarin used as reference standard also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity on post-treatment against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections.

Evaluation of the gastric antiulcerogenic effect of large cardamom (fruits of Amomum subulatum Roxb)

Large cardamom (fruit of Amomum subulatum Roxb, N.O. Zingiberaceae) commonly known as ‘Heel kalan’ or ‘Bari Ilaichi’ is used in Unani system of medicine in gastrointestinal disorders. A crude methanolic extract and its different fractions, viz. essential oil, petroleum ether (60–80°), ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions, were studied in rats for their ability to inhibit the gastric lesions induced by aspirin, ethanol and pylorus ligature. In addition their effects on wall mucus, output of gastric acid and pepsin concentration were recorded. The crude methanolic extract of A. subulatum and its fractions, viz. essential oil, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate, inhibited gastric lesions induced by ethanol significantly, but not those which were induced by pylorus ligation and aspirin. However, ethyl acetate fraction increased the wall mucus in pylorus ligated rats. The results suggest a direct protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction on gastric mucosal barrier. While the observation of decrease in gastric motility by essential oil and petroleum ether fractions suggests the gastroprotective action of the test drug. These investigations validate the use of ‘ Heel kalan’ in gastrointestinal disorders by Unani physicians.

Allergenicity of common foods restricted in respiratory allergy.

Although hypersensitivity to foods is often linked to exacerbations of symptoms of respiratory allergy, no such information is available regarding the foods traditionally considered to play a probable etiological role in respiratory allergy in India, which are in fact quite different from the ones implicated in the West. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the practice of withholding certain common foods by parents and practitioners of indigenous systems of medicine (i.e. Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine) in children suffering from respiratory allergy had any scientific basis or explanation as judged by modern techniques of investigation. Skin prick tests were performed on 64 children with symptoms pertaining to respiratory allergy (32 each in study and control group) using crude antigenic food extracts. Oral food challenges were administered to children to confirm or rule out allergenicity of food (s) incriminated on the basis of the clinical history and/or a positive skin test. Parental history of food restriction alone, in absence of positive skin prick test was of little value in predicting a positive response to the food challenges (1 challenge positive out of 77 based on food restriction: 1.29%). Only 27.02% and 18.75% of positive skin tests were found to be clinically significant in study and control groups respectively. Traditionally, food beliefs were upheld in only 12.5% children for immediate onset clinical reactions (with 5.31% of the foods restricted in their diet) and 9.37% children for delayed onset clinical reactions (with 3.19% of the foods restricted in their diet). The present study shows that even though food restriction is a common practice in patients with respiratory allergy in India, objective documentation of Type I reactions due to these foods cannot be obtained in a majority of such children.

Nardostachys jatamansi protects against liver damage induced by thioacetamide in rats

Nardostachys jatamansi is a medically important herb of Indian origin used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments. In the present paper, a 50% ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of N. jatamansi is shown to possess hepatoprotective activity. Pretreatment of rats with the extract (800 mg/kg body wt, orally) for three consecutive days significantly ameliorated the liver damage in rats exposed to the hepatotoxic compound thioacetamide. Elevated levels of serum transaminases (aminotransferases) and alkaline phosphatase, observed in thioacetamide alone treated group of animals, were significantly lowered in N. jatamansi pretreated rats. Pretreatment of the animals with the extract also resulted in an increase in survival in rats intoxicated with LD 90 dose of the hepatotoxic drug.

Saffron in Kashmir-VI: A Review of Distribution and Production

ABSTRACT The production of saffron, an important ingredient of Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine, occurs primarily in Jammu and Kashmir State. The botany, distribution and trade of this crop along with estimates on production and the socioeconomic impacts in Kashmir are discussed.

Effect of Cuscuta chinensis water extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a]anthracene-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in mice

Cuscuta chinensis, known as Aftimun, is reputed to have antitumour activity in the Unani system of medicine in India. The effect of a hot water extract of C. chinensis on 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in Swiss albino mice was studied. Oral administration of the extract (1 g kg body wt) thrice a week in 22 mice, started on the tenth day after the first application of DMBA to the 252nd day, markedly delayed the appearance and retarded the growth of papillomas and the incidence of carcinoma, relative to a control group with 28 mice, in a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. Its prophylactic effect was found to be statistically significant.

The Identity ofSudaband its Adulterants

AbstractSudab, a reputed drug of Unani system of medicine, is obtained from Ruta graveolens Linn., to which also the name titlee is given. This name is also given to Euphorbia dracunculoides, which is now the main source of sudab. The present paper describes the differentiating features of these two plant species.

The Identity ofSudaband its Adulterants

Sudab, a reputed drug of Unani system of medicine, is obtained from Ruta graveolens Linn., to which also the name titlee is given. This name is also given to Euphorbia dracunculoides, which is now the main source of sudab. The present paper describes the differentiating features of these two plant species.