• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.5.1-5.2
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• 2019

Unani medicine utilizes Terminalia bellerica (known as balela in Unani classics) for the treatment of diseases such as obesity, diarrhea, weakness of digestive system, ageing, greying of hairs, weakness of memory and eyesight, strengthening of immunity, general weakness etc. This paper briefly review this worthwhile drug for its general morphology, chemical constituents, dosage, pharmacological actions, therapeutic uses, compound formulations in Unani medicine and experimental studies.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2021

Since ancient times, various herbal medicines have been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of diseases. While the majority of drugs belong to the Kingdom of Plantae, some drugs from the Kingdom of Animalia are listed in various Materia medica of alternative medicines. Animal-derived drugs are mentioned in the Unani system of Medicine (USM) and have been used successfully to treat a variety of diseases. Marjān (Corallium rubrum) is a vital marine drug of animal origin that has been used in USM since ancient times and continues to be used today. It possesses a variety of beneficial pharmacological properties, including tonic effects on the heart, brain, stomach, and eyes, pregnancy protection, expectorant, and hemostyptic properties. It is used to treat hemoptysis, palpitation, bleeding piles, hemiplegia, heart failure, and general weakness. It is also an ingredient in a variety of Unani formulations with pharmacological significance. Unani physicians expanded the uses of Marjan and successfully used it to treat a variety of new diseases. There is a dearth of scientific research on its pharmacological and medicinal properties. The urgent need is to validate the Unani claims about its beneficial cardiac and nervine actions, as well as other significant actions mentioned in the Unani literature.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.20.1-20.23
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• 2021

Background: The pandemic COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2 has spread like a forest fire. This disease may have serious consequences for pregnant women. Presently, no specific drugs or vaccines exist to battle this disease and researches are underway. Unani medicine has a unique role in prevention and management during epidemics. Here, we reviewed the overview of COVID-19 infection and pregnancy, concept and practices in Unani medicine for flu-like epidemics in general and pregnancy, and safety of Unani drugs for the prevention and treatment of mild symptomatic cases of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Methodology: Unani classical texts and pharmacopoeia were meticulously explored for concepts and practices for flu-like epidemic diseases. Further, we browsed scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus and others for an overview, epidemics and Unani medicine, effectiveness and safety of Unani drugs in COVID-19 and pregnancy. Results: Unani medicine includes prevention and management of flu-like epidemic include quarantine and isolation, aromatic herbal drugs fumigation and spraying for environmental disinfection, ilaj bid tadbir for health promotion and use of health-protecting drugs and symptom-specific drugs in general and related to pregnancy. Lahsun, asalussus, behidana, banafsha, zanjabeel, unnab, etc are in use since antiquity for the prevention and treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic pregnant women during infectious and epidemic diseases. Conclusion: Currently, the aforementioned plants are proven for antiviral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, probably useful in the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, scientific studies have provided new insight into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of Unani medicines that are safe in pregnancy.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.7
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• 2020

Introduction: Qūbā (Tinea Corporis) is a very common disease widely prevalent worldwide. 20 - 25 % individuals suffer for this stubborn disease. Unani System of Medicine offers its treatment. There are many pharmacopoeial formulations indicated for various types of dermatophytic infections. In this study clinical efficacy and safety of the topical Unani formulation Marham Kharish Jadeed (a compound drug in the dosage form of an ointment) was assessed and compared with a standard conventional medicine. Materials and methods: A clinical study was conducted on 60 participants of qūbā randomized into test and control groups (n=30 in each group). The participants were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by microscopy of skin scrapings. The efficacy of the Unani formulation was assessed in terms of TSS score and elimination of fungal elements from the skin lesions. The data collected were analyzed statistically. Results and discussion: The study showed that the Unani formulation had comparatively better efficacy clinically than conventional medicine Terbinafine hydrochloride 1% cream in terms of reduction of itching, erythema, scaling, peripheral raised margins of the lesion comparing to baseline. In this study, 27 participants in test group and 18 participants in control group were completely cured (≥75% reduction in TSS Score with Mycological Cure) after 4 weeks of treatment. The efficacy of the Unani formulation was found significant statistically. The individual drugs of the formulations having analgesic (Musakkin), blood purifier (Muṣaffi-i-Dam), demulcent (Mulaṭṭif), antifungal (Qātil-i-fafūndῑ), detergent (Jālῑ), refrigerant (Mubarrid) and antiseptic (Dāfi'-i-'Ufūnat) properties might be responsible for the efficacy of Unani formulation. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggested that the Unani formulation was found effective and safe in the management of qūbā. No local and systemic adverse effect was reported during the study.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2020

Cancer is one of the leading cause of mortality in India as well as worldwide. The management of cancer by conventional therapy has shown life threatening adverse effects. The researchers are now exploring the natural way of treatment. Unani system of medicine have rich literature for cancer and many compound formulations have been described in this system. Unani system of medicine is based on holistic approach and treat human being as a unit with natural herbs, mineral and animal origin drugs. An important compound Unani formulation (CUF) from the literature has been chosen to explore the Unani claim of its anticancer activity. The phytochemical constituents were assessed using standard phytochemical screening method. Antioxidant property of this formulation was assessed by DPPH assay. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay was carried out by colorimetric method and ascorbic acid was taken as a positive control. Three different extracts of CUF on different concentrations were used to screening on human breast cancer (BCC) MCF-7 cell line. For the estimation of in-vitro cytotoxic potency of the investigated extracts was assessed on MTT assay by using trypan blue method and paclitaxel was used as the standard. Hydro-ethanolic (HE) extract showed highest free radical scavenging activity among all extracts. DPPH Assay showed substantial antioxidant activity of these extracts in hydro-ethanol extract at 1㎍ concentration of CUF. The CUF showed antioxidant and anticancer activity. The claim made by Unani physician has been proved.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.9
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• 2020

Introduction: Buthūr Labaniyya (Acne vulgaris) is a multifactorial disorder of the pilosebaceous units characterized by non-inflammatory and inflammatory clinical lesions. Several Unani medications have been used for centuries to treat acne. Objectives: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of Tila-i Muhāsā in patients with acne vulgaris Materials and Methods: This clinical study was conducted in patients with acne vulgaris. Patients applied Tila-i Muhāsā or 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) once daily for 6 weeks. Assessment of efficacy was carried out by Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and Patient Global Assessment (PGA) scores. In addition, overall severity of acne was evaluated on a 5-point Cook's acne grading scale using photographic standards. Assessment of safety was performed through adverse drug reactions, local dermal tolerability, vital signs, and routine laboratory investigations. Results: A total of 60 patients (30 in each group) completed 6 weeks of treatment. The mean percentage reduction in GAGS score at 6 weeks from baseline in Unani group (66.97%) and BPO group (59.09%) was statistically significant (P<0.0001). After 6 weeks of therapy, the mean percentage reduction in PGA score compared to baseline in Unani group (57.44%) and BPO group (50.23%) was statistically significant (P<0.0001). No serious adverse events were reported in both groups; however, mild adverse events occurred more frequently in BPO group (30%) compared to Unani group (10%). Conclusion: Tila-i Muhāsā was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, further clinical studies with larger sample size and longer duration of therapy need to be conducted.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.8
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• 2020

Standardization of drug deals with confirmation of drug identity and determination of drug quality and purity. Unani herbal formulations are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Cancer is a disease which causes abnormal, uncontrolled growth of body tissue or cells, which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way. Spread of cancer from site of origin to other organs of the body is called metastasis. It is a hyper proliferative disorder involving, transformation, dysregulation of apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis. The present study aimed to standardize a classical Unani formulation (CUF) described as anticancer properties. The CUF has been used for anti-cancerous activity (Dāfi'-i-saraṭān) in human population by Unani physicians for centuries. The standardization parameters carried out for classical Unani formulation are pharmacognostical studies, physicochemical parameters, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), microbial load, aflatoxins, and heavy metals revealing specific identities and to evaluate Pharmacopoeial standards. Experiment and the data obtained established the Pharmacopoeial standards for this formulation for identification and quality control purpose. The CUF has been successfully standardized and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its preparation has been laid down which may serve as a standard reference in future. The standardization data of this formulation may be used as a standard guideline for preparation of the formulation in future.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.26.1-26.7
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• 2013

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belonging to the family Zingiberaceae is a perennial herb. It is widely distributed in tropical Asia. In India, it is cultivated mainly in Kerala, Andhia Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. It is one of the most common spices, which is in use since centuries for its versatile medicinal actions like antiemetic, stomachic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac etc in traditional system of medicine (Unani, Ayurveda, and Chinese medicine). It is useful for the treatment of various gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular and sexual disorders. The phytochemical study of ginger showed the presence of many volatile oils and oleo-resins like gingerol, zinger one, zingiberol etc. Numerous experimental and clinical trials have proven ginger for its range of therapeutic activities such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiemetic, hypolipidaemic, hepatoprotective etc properties. The present article aims to explore traditional Unani and pharmacological activities of this herb reported till date.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.6
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• 2020

The Karafs is a dried herb of whole plant of Apium graveolens L. from Apiaceae (carrot family). The seeds (fruits) of Apium graveolens are known as Tukhm-e- Karafs in Unani Medicine. Karafs is known as Celeri in French, Apio in Spanish, Selderiji in Dutch, Syelderey in Russian and Chin in Chinese. It is cultivated in different parts of the world for its seeds as spice and green leaves and root as salad crop. Its seeds are also used for medicinal purposes in complementary and alternative medicines. In Unani it is used as a single drug or as an ingredient in compound formulations used for management in various ailments. The seeds have various pharmacological actions like hepatoprotective, diuretic and lithotriptic etc. It is commonly found in Western Asia, Europe, North Africa and various parts of India like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh etc. In Unani its actions are described as Mudirr-i-Bawl (Diuretic), Mufattit-i-Hasāh (Lithotriptic), Dafi'-i-Tashannuj (Antispasmodic) and Kāsir-i-Riyāh (Carminative). It is used for the treatment of Hasah al-Kulya (Nephrolithiasis), Nafkh al-Mi'da (Flatulence), Istisqā' (Oedema) and Ihtibās al-Bawl (Retention of urine) etc.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1.1-1.6
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• 2019

Unani medicine has been used extensively as preventive and therapeutic healthcare in India. It mostly utilizes herbal drugs for the treatment of various conditions and ailments. It is based upon the humoural and temperament theory of Buqrat (Hippocrates). Unani medicine is one of the oldest traditional system rooted within the Greek, Iranian, Arabic, and Islamic medical knowledge and has developed as a scientific healthcare system. It is highly practiced and popular in certain parts of the world, and the World Heritage Centre, part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Nations Foundation list it as an authentic and still-living form of traditional medicine. But in the past, its survival required utmost efforts from different dynasties, scholars and organization around the world. The efforts of promotion, preservation, translation, upgradation and publication of medical knowledge has crucially given new life to Unani medicine in each era. This letter will enlighten the efforts of translations of medical knowledge in Unani medicine from its arising need in the past till present.