Unani

Beginning of the new decade was highlighted with the global outbreak of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). It is a kind of viral pneumonia which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new strain of Coronavirus. This outbreak of pneumonia with unknown etiology was thought to have originated from the Huanan seafood market and was reported firstly at Wuhan, in China. On 31st January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 was listed as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).The virus was named as COVID-19 on 11th February, 2020 by WHO. As it has affected the whole world, it was declared as global pandemic by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 is the betacoronavirus with presence of different proteins which helps in attachment, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation and release of newly synthesized virion particles in the host body and infect the host. COVID-19 is contagious and primarily spreads through the respiratory tract, by droplets, respiratory secretions, and direct contact. As no vaccine or drug molecule are available yet, breaking the chain, enhancing an individual's body immunity, identifying the infection early and timely medical care are the best ways to prevent COVID-19 infection. Along with Allopathy medicines, Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy medicines are used as add-ons to treat the disease. Thus, taking into consideration this global threat this review focuses on origin, morphology of SARS-CoV-2, pathogenesis, role of Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy and Allopathy in treatment of COVID-19 and the current scenario of vaccines against COVID-19.

Nigella sativa (Black seed) is a plant which has been used for centuries for medicinal and culinary purposes and reported to possess a number of pharmacological properties that include anti-parasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Its oil is used as condiment, carminative, food preservative, analgesic and to treat many ailments in different parts of world. It has been extensively used in Unani system of medicine as a natural remedy for a number of diseases such as asthma, inflammation, cough, eczema, fever and gastrointestinal disturbances. It also has galactagogue, abortifacient, emmenagogue and uterotonic activity which makes it useful in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, puerperal sepsis and to improve lactation. Many active principles have been isolated from Nigella sativa seed including thymoquinone, nigellone, and fixed oils. This review is an attempt to highlight the therapeutic uses of Nigella sativain Unani medicine and pharmacological properties.

Satavar is an important drug which has been used in Unani and Ayurveda systems of medicine since long as an effective aphrodisiac and galactogogue drug. It is widely distributed throughout tropical and sub-tropical parts of India up to an altitude of 1500 m. It is also known as the queen of herbs. It is cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant. Chemically it is comprised of saponins, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, mucilage and essential nutrients like mineral and vitamins by virtue of which it possesses therapeutic actions such as aphrodisiac, galactogogue, immunomodulator, demulcent and anti-inflammatory etc. Modern scientific researches have also proved its novel therapeutic activities like antioxidant, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, antidepressant etc. In this article an attempt has been made to summarize the immense classical Unani literature and modern researches on Satavar. Key words: Satavar, Asparagus racemosus, galactogogue, Unani, Ayurveda