Clinical efficacy and safety of a pharmacopial polyherbal Unani formulation in pityriasis versicolor: a comparative randomized single-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common superficial fungal infection of skin caused by the fungus, Malassezia furfur. It can occur at any age but occurs mainly during adolescence and typically presents with hypopigmented or hyperpigmented scaling plaques, generally on the trunk and upper arms. It often poses a therapeutic challenge. In the Unani system of medicine, many herbal drugs are used empirically for its treatment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a topical Polyherbal Unani formulation in the management of PV on scientific parameters. DESIGN: This was a randomized, single-blind, standard controlled study. LOCATION: This study was performed in the Dermatology Outpatient Department, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Forty-six (46) patients with PV were included in the study after taking informed consents and were randomly allocated to test and control groups. In the test group, a polyherbal formulation was advised for topical application while in the control group, sodium thiosulphate lotion (20%) was advised locally for a duration of 1 month. The assessment of the severity of PV and efficacy of treatment in both groups was carried out using the Total Sign and Symptom Score (TSSS) scale. Data were analyzed with the Instat Graph pad. RESULTS: The mean±standard error of the mean (SEM) scores of TSSS in the test group were 7.7±1.174 and 0.9±0.7881 before and after treatment, respectively, while it was 6.9±0.8756 and 1.2±0.7888 in the control group before and after treatment, respectively. Mean±SEM of TSSS of both groups was found to be significantly lowered (p<0.001) after treatment when compared with mean±SEM of TSSS before treatment. However, the polyherbal formulation showed precedence over the standard drug by exhibiting comparatively quicker response. Furthermore, no unpleasant side-effects were observed in the test group during and after the study. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that polyherbal Unani formulation is safe, effective, and superior to standard drug in the treatment of PV.

Effect of a Polyherbal Unani formulation in acne vulgaris: A preliminary study.

Acne vulgaris is the most common disorder treated by dermatologists. Acne is a disease of pilosebaceous units characterized by the formation of the open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. A preliminary trial was conducted in the department of Medicine, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India, to assess the safety and efficacy of a Polyherbal Unani Formulation (PHUF) in the management of Acne Vulgaris on scientific parameters. Twenty five patients, diagnosed with acne, were included in the study after obtaining their informed consents. All the patients were clinically assessed and diagnosed on the basis of thorough history and dermatological examination. Then, PHUF was administered locally once at night for a period of 45 days. The severity of acne and efficacy of treatment was assessed by Cook's acne grading scale. The results showed significant reduction in the Cook's acne grading scores of post-treatment group (P<0.01) as compared to pre-treatment scores. Further, PHUF was found safe and fairly well accepted by the patients. It was therefore, concluded that PHUF can be used safely and effectively for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Clinical evaluation of efficacy of Majoon Ushba and Roghane Hindi in the management of psoriasis: A randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Psoriasis is a common dermatological disease affecting up to 1-2% of the world's population. It is associated with both organic and psychosocial complications like psoriatic arthropathy, nephritis, infection, hyperuricemia, hypoproteinemia, depression, and stress, and is responsible for hindering patients' daily activities. The present study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of two pharmacopeial Unani formulations (Majoon Ushba and Roghane Hindi) in the management of psoriasis on scientific parameters. Thirty diagnosed psoriasis patients, satisfying the inclusion criteria, were selected for a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study in the Department of Moalajat (Medicine), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore. The patients were divided by the method of Random Table Numbers into test and control groups after obtaining informed consent. The experimental group comprised 20 patients to whom Majoon Ushba 5 g was administered orally twice daily and Roghane Hindi was applied locally twice daily. The control group comprised 10 patients who were given placebo drugs orally and topically. The duration of the trial was 8 weeks and follow-up was done fortnightly. The severity of psoriasis and efficacy of the drug was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) Scale. The results of both groups were compared and analyzed statistically. The study showed significant reduction in the PASI score in the test group (P < 0.01) as compared to placebo. No obnoxious side effects were observed in the test group: toxicological parameters were within normal limits even after 2 months of treatment. It was therefore concluded that Majoon Ushba and Roghane Hindi are safe and effective in the management of psoriasis.

Leech therapy- a holistic approach of treatment in unani (greeko-arab) medicine.

The Unani System of Medicine also known as Greeko-Arab medicine, founded by Hippocrates is based on the concept of equilibrium and balance of natural body humours (blood, bile, black bile and phlegm). The imbalance in the quality and quantity of these humours leads to diseases whereas restoration of this balance maintains health of a person. The treatment methodology of diseases is based on four therapeutic modalities viz. Regimental therapy, Dieto-therapy, Pharmacotherapy and surgery. Irsale Alaq (Leech or Hirudo therapy) is one of the most important and widely practised methods of regimental therapy used for local evacuation of morbid humours. It is a procedure of treatment with the use of medicinal leeches. It has been suggested and successfully practised by Greeko-Arab physicians in the management of musculoskeletal diseases, gynaecological disorders, chronic skin diseases, thromboembolic diseases, varicose veins, ENT disorders etc since long. According to Unani doctrine, the efficacy of leech therapy is attributed to the analgesic and resolvent activities of leeches. However, from modern perspective, the saliva of leech contains about 100 pharmacologically active biological substances like Hirudin, hyaluronidase, vasodilators, anesthetics, antibacterial, fibrinases, collagenase etc. These substances are injected into human body while sucking of the blood and are responsible for the analgesic, anti inflammatory and anesthetic effects of leech therapy.

Efficacy of hijamat bila shurt (dry cupping) on intensity of pain in dysmenorrhoea-a preliminary study.

Waje rehm (Dysmenorrhoea) means painful menstruation. Since ancient times, hijamat bila shurt (Dry cupping) is a method of treatment of for this disease. Therefore, objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of hijamat bila shurt on intensity of pain in waje rehm by using Visual Analogue Scale for pain. It was conducted from May 2009 to July 2010 on 25 patients in National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore. Patients suffering from primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea with regular cycles, age group 12-37years were selected. For dry cupping, two glass cup of medium size were applied below the umbilicus for 15 minutes on day land/or day 2 of the menstrual phase for one cycle and pain intensity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale score for pain before and after the treatment. The Mean and Standard Error Mean for pain intensity before and after the treatment was 6.48 (0.32) and 2.12 (0.32) respectively with P<0.001, considered significant. Thus, hijamat bila shurt was effective in reducing pain intensity in dysmenorrhoea.