Arthritis

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.

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.

Concomitant therapy of anti inflammatory agent and disease modifying drug in pulsatile pattern proves the best treatment for pain relief and in remission of disease. In the current work, combination therapy of aceclofenac and leflunomide was studies for rheumatoid arthritis. Tab in tab formulation was developed with inner leflunomide and outer aceclofenac fraction. Outer fraction provides instant relief from symptomatic pain and inner part provides disease remission. pH sensitive polymers were investigated for coating and coating parameters were optimized. Considering the pH solubility of Eudragit S 100 and Eudragit L 100 in different ratio, final composition was derived. With final composition, desired lag phase observed in the drug release study. Further, X-ray studies and Pharmacokinetic study with final formulation also proves the efficacy of the final formulation w.r.t. desired lag phase and drug plasma concentration in-vivo. Final formulation found stable in 3 months stability study w.r.t. physical and chemical parameters. Optimized novel pulse release combination therapy developed to provide the relief to arthritis patient.