Efficacy of Habb-e-Asab in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomized placebo control study

Objectives Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common diabetes complication. The prevalence of neuropathy is 55% for type 1 and 66% for type 2 diabetes. In Unani medicine neuropathy is known as Khidr (numbness). It is treated with drugs possessing hypoglycemic and analgesic properties, etc. Habb-e-Asab, a polyherbal Unani formulation used for the treatment of Waja-ul-Asab (neuralgia) is routinely used for its indications in neurological pain in Unani medicine. The aim of this study to investigate the efficacy of Habb-e-Asab in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods Thirty patients with DPN were randomly assigned to test (n=20) and control (n=10) groups in a randomized single-blind placebo control study. For 45 days, the test group was given 250 mg Habb-e-Asab twice a day and the control group 250 mg placebo twice a day. The subjective parameters Pain in feet, burning in feet, and tingling in feet was assessed by the arbitrary scale and VAS fortnightly and objective parameters MNSI, and VPT was assessed in pre–post-treatment. Results The research drug revealed highly statistically significant with p<0.001 on VAS score and MNSI whereas VPT is significant with p<0.01 on few points. But control group exhibits no significant effect in any of the parameters. No adverse effects had been reported in either group. Conclusions Our finding indicated that the Habb-e-Asab for 45 days improved and reduced the severity of DPN in a patient with diabetes (CTRI/2018/02/011725).

Bioethics in Unani medicine: Relevant quotes from Kamilussanah, a 10th century manuscript

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its Alma Ata Declaration, 1978, focuses on the development, promotion and recognition of the traditional medical systems. India has taken steps in this direction by recognising Unani medicine with other traditional medical systems practised in India. Presently, Government is promoting integration of the recognised traditional medical systems with conventional medicine at the national level, as an interdisciplinary approach to providing better patient-centred care. Bioethics is a field of enquiry that examines ethical issues and dilemmas emerging from medical care and research involving humans. Although the term ‘bioethics’ was first mentioned in 1927 and later established as a distinct discipline in 1970s, the ethical principles in various contexts had been described centuries ago in the classical texts pertaining to traditional medical systems. Since ethics as a code of conduct was followed by ancient Unani physicians to safeguard the interests of humanity when providing healthcare, it was felt that a review of classical Unani manuscripts should be attempted to give an insight into codes of conduct described by various Unani physicians. In this paper, a 10th century book, “Kamilussanah” authored by Ali ibn Abbas al-Majoosi, also known as Majoosi (930-994 CE), is reviewed through the prism of ethics.

ETIOPATHOGENESIS AND MANAGEMENT OF WAJAAL-MAFASIL (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS): AN EVIDENCE-BASED COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical inflammatory polyarthritis involving small joints of the hand and feet. It has a global prevalence of 0.8 to 1% in Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Rheumatoid arthritis (Waja‘al-Maf?sil) had been broadly described and managed by the Unani scholars since antiquity. Many pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods are available in the classical Unani literature. The treatment differs for different varieties of morbid humour involved in disease pathogenesis. Treatment aims to reduce morbidity and prevent disability, subsequently improving the quality of life. This review article mainly highlights the management of rheumatoid arthritis mentioned in classical Unani literature and supportive scientific evidence of various preclinical and clinical studies suggesting the potential of Unani medicine. This review article aims to explore the concept of rheumatoid arthritis in the Unani system of medicine to provide a better understanding of disease and its management through the holistic policy of Unani medicine. This review may conclude that Unani treatment can form an alternative source to manage RA.

Phytochemical, Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Studies on Zingiber Officinale

Rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe. belonging to the family Zingiberaceae is used for bronchitis, as a carminative, for treating cough, cataracts and as a stimulant. The rhizome is cooked with salt and water and used as an expectorant. Extract of the juice of rhizome is used as eye-drops. In Yemen, it is mixed with other plants used for constipation, as a purgative, against colds, catarrh and acidity of the stomach. Root ginger is widely used for culinary purposes and as a spice. The rhizomes (imported from India) are used with cinnamon and cloves and made into a tea for treating colds and as a general tonic. The drink is also used as an aphrodisiac (Gazanfar, 1994). Ginger is useful in piles, rheumatism, headache, lumbago, pains, bleeding, chest congestion, cholera, cold, diarrhea, dropsy, nausea, stomachache, gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting, and diarrhea. The fresh juice of ginger acts as a strong diuretic. The juice of the leaves is effective against helminthiasis and marasmus and related conditions of diarrhea and dysentery (Monograph of Unani Medicine,2003).

History of Ilmul Saidala (Unani Pharmacy) Through Ages: A Critical Appraisal and Current Scenario

Ilmul Saidala (Unani pharmacy) is an important pharmaceutical branch of Unani System of Medicine, also known as Greco-Arabic medicine. Its historical evolution is intricately related with that of human’s disease and sufferings. The earlier records about the Ilmul Saidala reveal that the Greco-Roman civilization is credited with its origin and development. Then, the Arabs preserved their medical legacy, and enriched it with their pharmaceutical experiments, innovations, and newer formulations. Most of the physicians rendered voluminous compendium known as “Al-Qarābādhīn” (pharmacopoeia) on the pharmacy including pharmaceutical as well as cosmeceutical preparations. After the fifth century, the development in Unani Pharmacy has been greatly contributed by Arab physicians and the world acclaimed piece of knowledge from this period is Avicenna’s ‘Canon of Medicine’. The medical influences of the Arabs helped in further development, regulation, and advancement of pharmaceutical sciences in the European soil and evolved it as a distinctive institution of respect and public welfare. The vastness of knowledge of Greco-Arabic period can be judged from the fact that the contemporary innovations and developments in the pharmaceutical industry is primarily owed to the original contributions of Greek, Egyptian, and Arab philosophers and physicians, such as Hippocrates, Pedanios Dioscorides, Galen of Pergamon, Avicenna, Rhazes, Geber etc. In India, Mughals, especially emperor Akbar was very instrumental in the propagation of Unani medicine and had appointed Unani physicians in different cities of his territory. Later on, Khandan Shareefi (Shareefi family) and Khandan Azizi (Azizi family) played important roles in the promotion of Unani Pharmacy. In post-independence India , Hạkīm ‘Abd al-Hạmeed established Unani pharmacies on the lines of the modern pharmaceutical industry for the mass production of Unani formulations in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. At present, Unani System of Medicine and its pharmacies enjoys the patronage of Government in India and other South-East Asian countries, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh along with post graduate education in Unani pharmacy. The present work is a sincere attempt of authors to critically appraise the Unani Pharmaceutical potentials from the past, the current waves of developments and issues, and their possible ways forward. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 24-36

Prevention of COVID-19 Through Optimization of Tabi’at: A Unani Medicine’s Perspective

Background: Unani System of Medicine (USM) is one of the traditional systems of medicine practiced in India and the Indian subcontinent. It is a holistic system of health care based on inceptive principles applied by Hippocrates, Galen, and Ibn-e-Sina, the founders of present-day medicine. USM encompasses a distinct way of looking at the human body and it considers health to be the result of natural dynamic harmonious balance within the body. USM also recognizes the presence of inherent wisdom which is responsible for controlling all physiological functions, maintenance of health, restoration of health, and self-healing. This intrinsic ability of the body to restore health and the mechanism that activates the body’s healing process is called Tabi’at/ physis. The ultimate goal of prevention of disease can be obtained by optimization of tabi’at/physis, increasing the host defense. It can be achieved through the implication of asbab-e-sitta zarooriyah which includes some Unani Regimenal Therapies also, fostering change in lifestyle habits resulting in good health. Aims: In this raging pandemic all the therapeutic strategies are based on destroying the agent, breaking the means of transmission and immunization. Although we are leaving behind a huge gap in maintaining the host defense even though it has a crucial role in disease dynamics. In this paper, we have attempted to highlight the concept of tabi’at/Physis and its optimization to prevent this disease and its transmission. Methods: The authors had gone through classical Unani medical textbooks books related to the concept of tabi’at, asbab-e-sitta zarooriyah, and various modalities that help in health promotion and host defense. Important Unani medicine textbooks like Al Qanoon, Kamilus Sana’at, Kitab-al- Hawi, Al-asbab wa Alamat, Moalijat Buqratiya, Firdausul Hikmat and Kitabul Mansuri in addition to other published literature on the concerned subject was also reviewed for further clarification on the topic. Keywords: Unani System of Medicine, Tabi’at (physis), Host defense & Asbab-e- Sitta zarooriyah

Brain Awareness Week 2021 at Ibn Sina Academy (India): A Report

Brain- and neuroscience-related diseases and research are an important aspect to be discussed and explored at public interest. International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) is an international organization that is involved in spearheading both these activities. Brain Awareness Week (BAW) was never organized in a city which gave rise to the foundation of “Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN).” Stalwarts like Professor P. N. Saxena, Professor Om Chandra, Professor Mahdi Hasan, Professor K. C. Singhal, etc. did some significant efforts to promote neuroscience and brain research in Aligarh. They also established “Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre” at Aligarh Muslim University and organized many scientific events including the Fifth Annual Conference of the IAN from December 7 to December 9, 1986. They also established “Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre” at Aligarh Muslim University. Likewise, Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences is another institution where a large number of publications on neuroscience exist. With this background, BAW with a theme, “Neuroscience through the ages to modern times” was organized by the courtesy of IBRO-APRC Brain Awareness Week Grant. The exhibition of publications extant at Ibn Sina Academy (depicting history of neuroscience since medieval era specially the works of medieval Arabs who played a significant role in the growth of neurosurgery) and public awareness lectures on importance of neuroscience research helped in some extent to increase public awareness, foster public enthusiasm and interest in the younger generation. Students of all science disciplines including Unani medicine were invited to participate at various events such as presentation of postal stamps on neuroscience, paintings, essay writing competition, and poetry on brain and neuroscience.

Role of Ilaj Bit Tadbeer (Regimenal Therapy) in Waja-ul-Mafasil (Osteoarthritis): A Review

Osteoarthritis is the commonest of all joint diseases. It results due to breakdown and destruction of joint tissues. The clinical picture of osteoarthritis strongly resembles with Waja-ul-Mafasil which has been elaborated in detail by Unani physicians. Considering the high prevalence, side effects of modern pharmacological treatment and high cost of surgical interventions with equivocal effectiveness of all treatment modalities, there is need for safe, economic and effective treatment in Unani Medicine for osteoarthritis. Unani System of Medicine has Ilaj Bit Tadbeer (Regimenal Therapy) as one of the modes of treatment. The Regimenal Therapy works on the principle of modifying or modulating the six essential factors (Asbaab-e-sittah zarooriya) for maintenance of health and prevention from diseases. Nowadays Regimenal Therapy holds an important place in Unani Medicine particularly for musculoskeletal and nervous disorders. The focus of this paper is to discuss and summarize the role of Ilaj bit Tadbeer in the management of Waja-ul-Mafasil. Key words: Osteoarthritis, Waja-ul-Mafasil, Unani System of Medicine, Ilaj Bit Tadbeer, Regimenal Therapy.

Interventions of Unani medicine for maintenance of health with special reference to air quality: an evidence-based review

Objectives This article aims to discuss the impact of air quality on human health, measures to achieve the goal of good indoor air quality and proposed benefits of interventions of Unani Medicine with an evidence-based approach. Content The significance of air quality on the health of the community cannot be denied. Recent evidences from WHO illustrated data on severe air pollutants and their impacts on human health ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory ailments including lung carcinoma and heart disease associated with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy. In Unani Medicine, air has been included in the list of factors, which are six in number and play the central role in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Air is considered as the medium of most of the extrinsic factors such as chemical and biological pollutants affecting health and their exposure results in short and long-term health issues. The literature of Unani Medicine proposes many simple and effective measures, which help to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The goal of outdoor clean air is achieved through implementation of measures to tackle the source of pollution, while indoor clean air is attained through various means e.g., fumigation with herbal drugs. Hence, an extensive literature survey on Unani reserve was conducted to collect information about the concept of air discussed under the heading of six essential factors and its implication in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Further, research databases such as Pub Med, Google Scholar, and Science-Direct were broadly searched for evidence on the efficacy of herbals mentioned in Unani literature for the indoor air purification and subsequent air quality improvement. Summary and outlook Recent studies showed good air quality leads to decrease in mortality, particularly of respiratory and cardiovascular deaths whereas poor air quality results in a variety of diseases. Unani scholars prescribed several regimens such as Bukhoor (Fumigation), Sa’oot (Nasal instillation) and use of Abeer (Perfumes) and Nadd (Incense) for the improvement of air quality. Likewise various herbal fumigants and sprays containing drugs like mī’a sā’ila (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.), mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus L.), mushk (Moschus moschiferus L.), loban (Styrax benzoides W. G. Craib), ābnoos (Diospyros ebenum J. Koenig ex Retz), zā’fran (Crocus sativus L.) and sirka (vinegar) etc. has been well explained and used exclusively for air purification and improvement of AQI. Therefore, in the present scenario of altered air quality, we forward certain measures described in Unani system of medicine for health promotion and protection. Scientific evidence on several drugs reveal the presence of a number of pharmacologically active substances, which may provide a new approach into the purification of air.