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Background: Though a number of studies has been carried out in terms of safety of Kushta but concerns have been raised about the presence of heavy metals in Unani formulations. Classical method of preparation of Kushta Khabasul Hadeed (KKH) and other Kushta preparation in Unani system of medicine has been found to eliminate all such issues from the end product. However, there is a need to provide scientific evidence to establish the impact of the procedure, hence; the present study was designed to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity study of KKH prepared by Classical and Muffle furnace methods. Objective: The investigators in this study made an attempt to ascertain the safety profile of Kushta Khabasul Hadeed (KKH) prepared by classical and muffle furnace methods. Materials and methods: Both of the samples of KKH i.e. Kushta Khabasul Hadeed (KKHCM) and Kushta Khabasul Hadeed (KKHMFM) prepared by Classical and Muffle Furnace Methods respectively were evaluated for acute and sub-acute toxicity by OECD guidelines 423 and 407 respectively. The starting dose in the acute test was 50 mg/kg and in sub-acute test, it was 134mg, 200 mg and 400 mg/kg b.w. Effect of both of the test samples were assessed for ponderal changes, food and water intake, relative organs weights, hematological, biochemical and histopathological features of various organs. Results: Both of the samples did not produce any sign of toxicity in acute toxicity study up to the dose level of 2000mg/kg b.w. In sub-acute toxicity study no mortality in any of the test groups was observed. KKHCM at different doses showed a slight decrease in food intake in all the test groups but significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the test group B as compared to plain control. However, no alteration in food intake was noted in Satellite group. Repeated dose administration of KKHMFM at different dose levels lead to a significant decrease in food intake in the test group A (P<0.01) While in the test groups B, C and satellite, the decrease was not significant in comparison to plain control. Conclusion: KKHMFM was found to be relatively toxic than KKHCM at different dose levels. The study demonstrated that both the Classical and Muffle furnace methods of preparation of Kushta are useful for preparing KKH and also safe at the dose prescribed in Unani literature. However, the Kushta prepared by the classical method was found to be safer than the muffle furnace method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Unani system of medicine, blood is regarded as mixture of akhlat (humours) i.e. dam (Sanguine), balgham (phlegm), safra (yellow bile) and sawda (black bile). Normal blood consists of "akhlate latifa (plasma)" and "kaseefa (corpuscles)". Normal blood is one in which all humours are in normal proportion in terms of quantity and quality and specific to each individual. It is normal in colour, free from bad odour and moderate in viscosity. Morbid blood develops due to impurities /disease in the blood which ultimately alter its quantity and quality. If we co relate these abnormalities with modern concept then all bleeding disorders and coagulopathy fall under "Riqqate dam" (low viscosity of blood); all the thromboembolic disorders; polycythaemia, leukaemia and anaemia fall under "Ghilzate dam"(hyperviscosity of blood), while septicaemia, bacterial diseases can be correlated with "ufunat" (infections). Methods: The classic and relevant books of Unani and conventional medicine were studied. The databases utilized for obtaining information, are scientific research publications from indexed journals available through Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. Results and Conclusion: Blood purifying drugs cause necessary changes and maintain the viscosity of the blood by their moderate heat; cold; dry and wet properties. These drugs are alterative and bring the quality and quantity of blood in equilibrium. Strengthen the defensive mechanism and eliminate toxins via sweat, urine, faeces etc. These drugs are digestive, tonic to stomach and liver and boost the immune system. In the line of the above conceptual framework few experimental models are being suggested i.e. effect of drugs on blood constituents, coagulation parameters, anemia, leukaemia, polycythaemia, thrombocytopenia and infections. This preliminary study may serve as a tool for the screening of blood purifier drugs in various blood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Hajrul yahood ( Lapis judaicus ) is a mineral drug used in different dosage forms in Unani system of medicine and claimed to be effective in the management of urolithiasis. Aim of the study To explore the role of Hajrul yahood in the management of urolithiasis along with determination of its morphological, ethnomedicinal, physicochemical and pharmacological attributes. Materials and methods A review of literature on Hajrul yahood was undertaken using the bibliographic database viz. Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus. The search was conducted using the terms ‘ Hajrul yahood’ , ‘ Lapis judaicus’ , ‘ Majoon Hajrul yahood’ and ‘ Kushta Hajrul yahood’. Further books, monographs and reports on Lapis judaicus published in Urdu and English were used to compile the information. Results Hajrul yahood as such and as an ingredient in multidrug formulations has been used for the treatment of kidney and bladder stones since ancient times mainly by the practitioners of traditional medicines. Literature of Unani medicine clearly indicated that Hajrul yahood and its different formulations are safe and have antilithiatic effect. Sufficient information in respect of morphological, physicochemical and ethnomedicinal properties of Hajrul yahood are available but very few pharmacological and clinical studies have been conducted. The available reports on Hajrul yahood and its products mainly Cystone® though has shown varying results but on the whole indicated possible antilithiatic effect. The studies conducted so far have been limited by small patient numbers, weak methodology, and poor study design therefore a conclusive result cannot be arrived at. Conclusion Hajrul yahood and its formulations have been claimed by Unani medicine to be useful in the management of urolithiasis. Some of the scientific reports also suggest the possibility of such an effect however further elaborate and comprehensive studies are required to validate such a claim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unani Medicine, an age old system of medicine which is widely practiced in south Asia, draws on the ancient traditional systems of medicine in China, Egypt, India, Iraq, Persia and Syria. It uses remedies of plant, animal and mineral origin which can treat a number of diseases successfully. These remedies, whose efficacy is evident mainly from observation, have been prized for centuries. Although some of the medicines have been examined to investigate their efficacy and possible mechanism of action, many have not yet been documented. It is therefore timely to look at these unexplored remedies in order to understand and make best use of their acknowledged effects. Urolithiasis (the development of kidney calculi or stones) is a complex process resulting as a consequence of an imbalance between promoters and inhibitors in the kidney. The etiology is multifactorial, but strongly related to dietary habits and lifestyle. Calculi in the urinary tract have been mentioned in the literature of Unani medicine under the headings Hasate Kulliyah (kidney stone), Hasate Masana (bladder stone) and Hasate Kulliya wa Masana (kidney and bladder stone). The calculi are treated mainly by Mufattite Hasat (lithotriptic) and Mudir (diuretic) drugs effectively. The etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and the properties of medications used in the treatment of urolithiasis have been discussed by Unani physicians in a comprehensive manner. A number of remedies used for urolithiasis and studied scientifically in different in vitro and in vivo models have shown activity against urolithiasis. In this paper, we have attempted to collect and analyze information available on urolithiasis, the medications used in Unani Medicine for treating this disorder, and possible correlation between Unani and modern concepts of urolithiasis, if any. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammi majus L. (Aatrilal) a member of the family Apiaceae, is native to Egypt and widely distributed in Europe, the Mediterranean, and West Asia. It has been used for the treatment of various dermatological disorders particularly vitiligo in the Unani system of Medicine for ages. In traditional medicine, fruits are used as an emmenagogue as well as a diuretic, blood purifier and to treat leprosy, urinary and digestive disorders. This paper aims to highlight the medicinal properties of Aatrilal in view of its temperament and phytoconstituents; to signify its potential in the treatment of vitiligo and other ailments as mentioned in Unani system of medicine and also to explore its phytochemistry, pharmacological and clinical studies. Aatrilal was explored in classical Unani literature for its temperament (mizaj), medicinal properties and therapeutic uses. Published works available on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were referred to collect all the available information regarding its phytochemicals and pharmacological studies. All relevant articles up to 2020 were referred including 15 classical Unani books, 15 English books, 72 research, and 3 review papers. The plant's scientific names were validated using 'The Plant List' (www.theplantlist.org). Standard Unani Medical Terminology published by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine in collaboration with the World Health Organization was used to describe the appropriate Unani terminologies. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants and different indexed journals were consulted for botanical and English names. Aatrilal has been used in traditional medicine for ages. Due to controversies in its identity, it was adulterated and substituted with many drugs. The real identity of Aatrilal is now established as the fruit of A. majus L. Despite having numerous pharmacological activities, it is considered the first-line drug for the treatment of vitiligo. It is a rich source of furanocoumarins (xanthotoxin, also known as 8-methoxypsoralen, bergapten, imperatorin, isopimpinellin) with other compounds viz. flavonoids, terpenoids, proteins, essential oil constituents, etc. It has been reported for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, cytotoxic, and many other activities. Clinical trials have shown the therapeutic potential in vitiligo and other skin disorders. Based on the available literature, it can be concluded that Aatrilal is a drug that has been effectively used in Unani system of medicine for centuries to treat the cases of vitiligo and other dermatological disorders. It has been studied extensively for its phytopharmacological properties. Raw extracts of A. majus form the crux of the main research. Many potentially bioactive compounds are included in the essential oil, but to our knowledge, no detailed studies of its biological activity are yet available. Therefore, our suggestion is to focus future research on essential oil and its ingredients. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • Obstruction and its consequences have become a threat to human health globally. It includes thrombosis, embolism, and obstruction in the airway, bile duct, lymphatic channels, and intestines. Through extensive research, it was discovered that ancient Unani scholars discussed the concept of obstruction under the term “Suddah,” which translates to “blocking the way”. Objectives • This study aims to explore the predisposing factors and causes of obstruction and mode of action of various deobstruent (Mufattiḥ-i-Sudad) drugs. Methods • The concept of obstruction formation and deobstruent drugs was explored in various Unani classical literature, published indexed journals, dissertations, authentic websites, and journals. Results • Based on observations from the literature, obstruction (Suddah) most commonly arises due to an excess of cold temperament (shadīd burudāt) and derangement of morbid matter (māddā) in terms of quantity and quality. Specifically, excessive, viscous, and thick humor (kaseer, lesdar, and ghaleez khilt) can become occluded in various passages and cavities of the body. Further analysis revealed that deobstruent drugs exhibit a hot temperament (ha’rr), a bitter taste, and possess multiple properties such as being demulcent (latafat), resolvent (tahallul), detergent (jīla), and disintegrator (taqti’). Conclusion • This study serves as a tool for screening deobstruent (Mufattiḥ-i-Sudad) drugs which can be used in various forms of obstruction occurring in the lumen and cavities of the body. The deobstruent drugs with their reported activities validated the concept of deobstruent (Mufattih sudad) activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]