Md Tanwir Alam

Wajaul Mafasil is a compound Arabic term, where Waja literally means ‘pain’ and Mafasil means joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of the arthritis and is the leading cause of disability in older persons, affecting 10% of population >60 years of age, in which 80% of individual have limited mobility and 25% cannot perform major daily activities. The disease follows a more severe course in women with greater symptoms, more extensive involvement, and increased prevalence of knee and hand joint involvement. There are wide range of treatment options available in different system of medicines. Inspite of that patient are not fully satisfied. Unani scholars in their treatise have mentioned different formulations but their scientific validation have still not done. Hence a study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of Habb-e-Hudar and Hijamah bila Shurt in Wajaul Mafasil of knee. The study was conducted as comparative clinical study. A total of 72 eligible patients fitting the inclusion criteria were selected from OPD/ IPD. However, only 60 patients (30 in each group) completed the trial. Group A patients was given 2 pills Habb-e-Hudar was given orally twice a day for 30 days and Group B patient received Hijamah bila Shurt on knee daily for period of 30 days. Patients were assessed on subjective and objective parameters at baseline and on every follow up till 30th day. Safety parameters were assessed at baseline and after the end of the trial. The results were analysed statistically using Student t test and Paired Proportion test. Significant improvement was observed in all the subjective parameters (p<0.01), and all the objective parameters (p<0.001). No adverse effect was reported. This study reveals that Hijamah bila Shurt and Habbe-Hudar both are effective but Hijamah bila Shurt is comparatively more effective treatment for Wajaul Mafasil of knee. There were no clinically or statistically significant side effects or toxicity during or after the trial. However large sample sized controlled clinical trials of longer duration are required to generalize the results.

Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatologic diseases. It is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by development of chronic, well defined, scaly, erythematous, plaques on the extensor aspects of the body, especially on the elbows, knees, trunk, back and scalp1,2,3,4. Nail involvement is very frequent and often gives the clues to the diagnosis1,2,3,4,5,6. Psoriasis can be localized or generalized. High variability and unpredictability are the hallmark of this chronic affliction. The estimated prevalence is 1.5% to 3% in general population. It has bimodal peak of incidence, at 16-22 years and 57-60 years. In Unani System of Medicines, Galen was the first person who described a skin disease in the name of psoriasis7,8. But before and after the Galen many Unani physicians described the various names such as Sadafia, daus sadaf, baheq-e- siyah and Samakia9. In classics of Unani literature various references are found such as Sadafia, Da-us- Sadaf, Baheqe siyah, Samkia and qubae mutaqashshar which qualify for the disease of psoriasis1,10. Celsus described impetigines and specified that the second species of impetigo was characterized by red skin covered with scales. This description suggested a type of papulosquamous disease, such as psoriasis. So, keeping the fact in mind want to established the clinical correlation with anaemia in the light of classical Unani literature as well as modern medicine.

Luk Maghsool (Lac) is the resinous secretion of a number of species of lac insects, of which the most commonly cultivated is Kerria lacca. Cultivation begins when a farmer gets a stick that contains eggs ready to hatch and ties it to the tree to be infested.1 Thousands of lac insects colonize the branches of the host trees and secrete the resinous pigment. The coated branches of the host trees are cut and harvested as sticklac. The harvested sticklac is crushed and sieved to remove impurities. The sieved material is then repeatedly washed to remove insect parts and other material. The resulting product is known as seedlac. The prefix seed refers to its pellet shape. Seedlac, which still contains 3–5% impurity, is processed into shellac by heat treatment or solvent extraction. The use of lac since ancient times in different alternative system of medicine like Unani, Ayurveda etc. for the treatment of Obesity (Saman-e-Mufrat), Dyslipidaemia (Fart-e-Tadassum-Fid-Dum), Liver disease (Amraz-e-Jigar), Anti-helminthic (Deedan-e-meda wa ama) etc. Several studies have been carried out for the therapeutic evaluation of its efficacy and safety. So, I want to compile and summarized all the literature at one space. 

The Colchicum luteum is known by the name of colchicum in English, Suranjan in Sanskrit and Hirantutiya in Hindi. It belongs to the family of Liliaceae. The common names of the plant are autumn crocus and meadow saffron. The corms of the plant are usually used to make natural medicines. It is known to be Phlegm and bile suppressant. These are the principle stabilizing energies that govern the body as well as the mind. It is connected with the structure, lubrication, fluid balance and stability of the entire human body. Test drug Surinjan Shirin is classical and famous Unani drug being used extensively for gouty arthritis in almost every Unani set up. Their said actions are mentioned in various ancient Unani text and some scientific literatures also claim that it has Mulattif (demulcent), Muhallil (Anti-inflammatory) Muarriq (diaphoretic), Muharik (stimulant) etc. activity, and reduces the viscosity of all humours. Hippocrates has described that it maintains the viscosity of all humors. Several studies have been carried out for the therapeutic evaluation of its efficacy and safety. So, I want to compile and summarized all the literature at one space. 

Plant of Chobchini (Smilax china linn) is commonly occurs in Japan and China, where is it indigenous. In mossy forests at altitudes of 1,600 to 2,400 meters in Bontoc, Lepanto, Benguet, and Zambales Provinces in Luzon, and in Mindanao and Negros. The parts used of this is root, leaves and fruit.  Plant of Chobchini has medicinal value hence used in various diseases and included as an ingredient in a number of formulations. However, its two parts i.e. root and fruit are more commonly used. The plant as whole has described to possess Depurative, demulcent, diaphoretic, stimulant, alterative, antisyphilitic, aphrodisiac. Studies have described Dafe Taffun (antimicrobial), antimutagenic, antioxidant, Muhallil and Dafe Alam (Anti-inflammatory & analgesic), anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects. etc. Several studies have been carried out for the therapeutic evaluation of its efficacy and safety. So, I want to compile and summarized all the literature at one space. 

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is widely used as drug to promote health and fight disease from ancient time. In countries like India and other Asian countries, saffron is used very frequently in various alternative systems of medicine including Unani System of Medicine, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as it is considered  bitter, acrid, fragrant, stimulant, tonic, stomachic, aphrodisiac, anodyne, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, diuretic, laxative, galactogogue and is useful in bronchitis, pharyngopathy, cephalgia, vomiting, fever, melancholia, hepatomegaly etc. Because of its wide range of medical uses in traditional systems of medicine, the saffron has under gone extensive phytochemical and biochemical studies and some of the studies have shown that number of constituents including Crocin, Crocetin, Safranal are present, out of which crocetin is mainly responsible for pharmacological actions. This paper is an attempt to review the saffron on the basis of Unani System of Medicine and to discuss its recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Anaemia is major public health problem in female about 25-50% girls become anaemic by the time they reach the age of menarche. During adolescence period need for iron is increased and also there is further increase due to regular menstrual loss. In developing countries, the high iron demands are not met, mainly because of the poor diet of low iron bioavailability & frequent parasitic infection, thus leading to higher incidence of anaemia in women & girls. Thus, an adolescent who conceives soon after menarche is likely to start pregnancy with depleted iron store1. Keeping all these in mind this study was conducted to investigate the haemoglobin level of the female adolescent students studying Azam Campus, Pune, Maharashtra. To investigate the status of anaemia among adolescent female students of Azam Campus, Pune, Maharashtra. Cross sectional prevalence study of sample size 500 was conducted among students from the primary secondary, higher secondary and junior college and U.G classes of Azam Campus, Pune. The study was designed on two parameters the first one was questionnaire-based scale (subjective parameter) and second was evaluation of haemoglobin percentage through Sahli’s method as an objective scale.2 Prevalence of anemia was found to be 91.8%.

The Unani medicines have proven its own importance regarding its affectivity, cost and minimal side effects for many illnesses. The general treatment of Gout in Unani system of medicine (USM) comprises of moderating the alter humours (akhlat), excretion of excessive & altered humours, correction of digestion & regulation of metabolism and subside the local inflammation. For this purpose, the medicines having properties like, demulcent (mulattif), concoctive (munzij), diuretic (mudir-e-boul), digestive tonic (muqawwi-e-meda) and anti-inflammatory (muhallil-e-auram) are used. There are so many drugs to treat Gout without causing any side effect but most of these drugs have not been studied on modern scientific parameters, so keeping the fact in mind the formulation comprises of drugs Chobchini (Smilax china), Surinjan Shirin  (Colchicum latium), Sibr (Aloe barbadenesis) has been tested for gout treatment. It is an open clinical trial; conducted on 60 patients for duration of 60 days. Findings were recorded on a specially designed chart and inference was made by appropriate statistical analysis (Paired ‘t’ test). This result suggesting the effect of test drug is very effective in lowering the serum uric acid. Findings of trial were recorded on a specially designed chart and inference was made by appropriate statistical analysis.

High blood pressure is a major cause of various diseases such as stroke and high cholesterol. High cholesterol and cause a variety of deadly diseases. The aim of this study was to conclude if a reduction in serum lipoproteins, especially LDL cholesterol, is a preventive approach against  atherosclerosis. Phlebotomy has been a recommended method to reduce serum lipoprotein levels. As cholesterol affects the blood flow it can also impact cardiovascular fitness and sufferers may find that they get out of breath more easily or just generally feel less fit and healthy or more tired. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wet cupping on serum lipoprotein concentrations. In this case it is observed that cupping therapy may be an effective method of reducing LDL cholesterol in men and consequently may have a preventive effect against atherosclerosis.

Lac (Laccifer lacca) is an Indian animal origin drug. In Unani medicine Lac is known as Luk (Arabic word). Its medicinal properties are well advocated in unani literature. That’s why its use for various ailments is commonly prevailed among unani fraternity since centuries. This drug is very famous among unani practitioner for its anti-obesity effects. Various Unani medicine formulations (compound drugs) are having Lac as a chief constituent are in market. One of its most famous and acceptable formulation “Safoofe muhazzil” is being prescribed profoundly to counter obesity. Unani Scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicena), Razi, Ibn Rushd, Rabban Tabri, Hakeem Abdul Hakeem, Najmul Ghani, Jurjani and Kabeeruddin etc., wrote extensively about the medicinal use of Lac for various diseases in their respective books and treatises. Apart from Unani System of Medicine lac is also being used as drug in other complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) system especially in Indian system of medicine namely Ayurveda and Siddha.