Vector-Control Potential of Unani Medicines: A Review of Classical Unani Texts and Contemporary Scientific Literature.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Vector-borne diseases pose substantial global health challenges, with a notable impact in India as well. Effective vector control strategies are crucial to mitigating these diseases as there are no effective vaccines available. Synthetic chemicals are widely used but concerns about safety and environmental impact have prompted exploration of alternative, natural solutions. Unani medicine offers a potential source of natural products. This study aims to systematically review classical Unani texts and contemporary scientific literature to evaluate the vector control potential of Unani medicines. METHODS: A comprehensive review of classical Unani texts was carried out to compile data on herbal and mineral substances suggested in Unani Medicine for control of insects. Furthermore, electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were explored for research studies evaluating the insect-repellent, larvicidal, and insecticidal activities of the Unani medicines recommended in these texts. Time restriction was not imposed to ensure the comprehensive retrieval of pertinent and up-to-date information. RESULTS: From classical Unani texts, 29 drugs were identified for control of insects, primarily of plant origin from diverse botanical families. Recent scientific investigations have confirmed the insect-repellent, insecticidal, and larvicidal activities of 19 of these Unani medicines against various insect species, including mosquitoes. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential of Unani medicines as natural source for vector control. However, further research is essential to explore mechanism, delivery methods, and optimal concentrations for developing effective vector-control formulations.

An Exploratory Review on the Hypoglycemic Action of Unani Anti-diabetic Drugs via Possible Modulation of Gut Microbiota.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, multi-factorial metabolic disorder and also an important public health issue that requires multi-dimensional therapeutic strategies for effective control. Unani herbs have long been used to effectively mitigate diabetes through various mechanisms. In recent years, it has been speculated that the alteration of gut microbiome ecology is potentially one of the important mechanisms through which the Unani drugs exert hypoglycemic action. This review aims at the trans-disciplinary interpretation of the holistic concepts of the Unani system of medicine and the molecular insights of contemporary medicine for novel strategies for diabetes management. METHODOLOGY: We searched scientific databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science-Direct, etc. Unani classical texts (Urdu, Arabic, and Persian), and medical books, for diabetic control with Unani medicine through the gut microbiome. RESULTS: Unani medicine defines, diabetes as a urinary system disorder disrupting the transformational faculty (Quwwat Mughayyira) in the gastrointestinal tract. The Unani system and contemporary biomedicine use different epistemology and ontology for describing diabetes through gutderived factors in whole-body glucose homeostasis. Unani Pharmaceutics have reported in clinical and preclinical (in vitro/ in vivo) trials in improving diabetes by altering gut microbiota composition, microvascular dysfunction, and inflammation. However, the preventive plan is the preservance of six essential factors (Asbab Sitta Daruriyya) as a lifestyle plan. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on the integrative strategy about the hypoglycemic effects of Unani herbs that could serve as a prerogative novel approach for cost-effective, holistic, rationalistic, and multi-targeted diabetes management.

Conceptual Understanding of Preventive Strategies for Metabolic Disorders in Unani Medicine: A Narrative Review.

Background: The global burden of metabolic disorders is increasing at an alarming rate. These disorders have a huge impact in terms of human suffering and economic implications. There is an urgent need for effective strategies, including the use of traditional systems of medicine, to reduce the burden of these diseases. Objective: The objective of this article is to compile information on preventive strategies for metabolic disorders found in Unani medicine. Methods: A literature survey of classical Unani texts was conducted to understand the conceptual framework in Unani medicine underlying preventive strategies for metabolic disorders. Electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain the evidence needed to validate the Unani medicine viewpoint. Results: Unani scholars have described a set of clinical conditions caused by the insufficiency of the nutritive faculty. These conditions correlate in many ways with metabolic disorders. Cold dystemperament of the liver is considered to be the cause of insufficiency of nutritive faculty. Therefore, care and protection of the liver is considered as the main preventive approach for metabolic disorders in Unani medicine. Several epidemiological studies have also reported a strong relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The broad set of approaches (based on its theoretical foundations) used by Unani scholars to maintain the nutritive faculty in its optimal functional state seems to be an effective measure for the prevention of metabolic disorders.

Pharmacological Treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Unani Medicine: An Evidence-Based Review.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are one of the most common illnesses in humans. Unani medications are widely used for this indication and are considered effective in alleviating the symptoms. Objective: This article aims to document the Unani medications used for URTIs under a single heading and to provide evidence of their efficacy. Methods: A literature survey of classic Unani texts was conducted to screen for single and compound Unani formulations for URTIs. Electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain evidence regarding the efficacy of these recommended drugs in URTI treatment. Results: In the Unani medicine literature, the authors found descriptions of 28 single herbs and 40 compound formulations for the treatment of URTIs. A search of electronic databases yielded 13 clinical studies confirming the efficacy of the recommended medications in URTI treatment. These trials demonstrated that the administration of Unani medications significantly accelerated clinical improvement in URTIs. Conclusions: The findings of the included studies led us to conclude that the use of Unani medicines significantly accelerates clinical improvement in URTIs, as demonstrated by various subjective and objective parameters. Hence, clinically validated Unani medications should be considered for the treatment of URTIs.

Unani medicinal herbs as potential air disinfectants: an evidence-based review.

OBJECTIVES: Indoor air quality has a significant impact on our health and quality of life, as people spends 80-90% of their time indoors. Fumigation of several medicinal herbs has been recommended by Unani scholars to improve air quality, but their efficacy in air purification is still unknown. Hence, this article aims to discuss the applicability of proposed medicinal herbs in the light of current researches. METHODS: A manual literature survey of classical Unani texts was conducted to collect information about the herbs recommended for air purification. In addition, research databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were extensively searched for evidence on the efficacy and mechanism of action of the suggested herbs in air purification. RESULTS: In classical Unani texts, authors have found descriptions of 26 herbs that have been recommended for improving air quality. In-vitro studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activity of 19 of these herbs. Moreover, the efficacy of Styrax benzoin, Commiphora myrrha and Acorus calamus fumigation on aerial microbes have also been validated by studies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the literature review clearly demonstrated that the herbs recommended by Unani scholars for air purification have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, indicating that these herbs could be a potential candidate for air disinfectant. Therefore, authors recommend the further researches on proposed herbs to validate their efficiency against airborne pathogens in the vapour phase.

Efficacy of Khar-i-khasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in prehypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension is a state of above-normal blood pressure that does not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and its prevalence estimated in population-based samples ranges from 22 to 52%. It conveys potentially many deleterious consequences such as high risk of progression to hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the blood pressure-lowering effect of Khar-i-khasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) in prehypertensive individuals. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted at the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Hospital, Bengaluru, after approval by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Prehypertensive individuals over 18 years of age were enrolled after obtaining their written informed consent and were randomly allocated to the test or placebo group. The test and placebo groups were administered powdered dried fruits of Khar-i-khasak (6g) and matched placebo (6g) in three divided doses for two months respectively. The efficacy assessment was determined by changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. RESULTS: Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a significant decline in the test group (p<0.001) as compared to the placebo group. The average decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure was -7.7/5.5 mmHg in the test group and -1.9/0.2 mmHg in the placebo group. During the post-therapy follow-up period, no prehypertensive developed full-blown hypertension in either group. Safety parameters were found to be within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: The test drug Khar-i-khasak (T. terrestris Linn.) was found to be effective and safe in lowering blood pressure compared to placebo in prehypertensive individuals.

Public health approach of Unani medicine to cope and stay safe in hot environmental conditions.

The rising episodes of deadly heat waves have intensified the need for a heat protection strategy. The Unani system of medicine offers ways to stay healthy in different climatic conditions. Hence, this article aims to discuss the applicability of health protection measures suggested by Unani scholars for hot weather conditions in the light of current researches. The manual literature survey of classical Unani texts was conducted to collect information on health safety measures for hot weather. A substantial search of scientific databases such as "Google Scholar" and "Medline" for proposed measures in combination with "heat-stroke", "heat exhaustion" and "heat rash" was also conducted to identify their possible activity in heat-related illnesses. The guidelines for summer seasons in the classical Unani literature are described under the title tadabir-i-mavsam. Unani scholars have discussed in detail the pathophysiological effects of heat and the measures to stay healthy by regulating the body system through lifestyle, diet and herbs. Most of the measures proposed by them are backed up by evidences. However, some measures have not yet been evaluated for their therapeutic or prophylactic efficacy in heat-related illnesses. On the basis of findings, the authors advocate the adoption of evidence-based measures and propose further investigation of those measures that are not well supported by the evidence or have not yet been evaluated.

Methods of health promotion and disease prevention in Unani medicine.

BACKGROUND: Better preventive care is a prerequisite to foster community health and in reducing the unnecessary burden on the health-care system. The Unani System of Medicine has given due emphasis on preventive care. This article aims to discuss the health promotion and disease prevention approaches in Unani Medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A manual literature survey of classical Unani texts such as Firdaus-al-hikmat, Al Qanoon-fit-tib, Kitab-al-mansoori, Kitab-al-kulliyat, and Kitab-al-taisir was conducted to collect the information available on the strategic approaches of health promotion and disease prevention in Unani Medicine. To obtain the appropriate English equivalent words for Unani terms and the scientific name of the drugs, "Standard Unani Medical Terminology" and "Classification of Unani Drugs" were consulted, respectively. RESULTS: The findings of the literature survey revealed that Unani physicians have advocated the personalized and predictive approaches for maintaining health and preventing diseases. Personalized approach mainly centers on the temperament of an individual. By determining an individual's temperament, Unani physician can tell what is adequate or not adequate for the individual. While in the predictive approach, correct knowledge of prodromal symptoms is a prerequisite to predict the future developments in the human body and recommending the appropriate preventive measures accordingly. CONCLUSION: These approaches present interesting perspectives in the field of promotive and preventive care and are of much relevance in the present scenario. Unfortunately, the lack of efficacy studies is a limiting factor in their application. Hence, effective protocol must be developed to provide evidence-based data and to give grounds for their widespread usage.

Patient Satisfaction With Medical Services Provided at Unani Medicine Hospital, Bengaluru: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In medical care, patient satisfaction is a key indicator of the quality of care. Many studies have agreed on the fact that measuring patient satisfaction is a useful tool for determining the effectiveness of health care delivery and the quality of medical care provided. Hence, present study was aimed to determine the level of patient's satisfaction with the quality of medical care services rendered in a teaching hospital of Unani medicine. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Unani Medicine Hospital, Bengaluru, from April 2019 to October 2019 on 500 patients sampled from various service delivery points of the health facility. Data were gathered through exit interviews of patients after obtaining their written informed consent. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire on patient satisfaction patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-18) was used as a study tool. The overall mean patient satisfaction score was 4.82 ± 0.23. Mean satisfaction was highest in the interpersonal manner (4.94) and communication (4.94), followed by time spent with the doctor (4.91), technical quality (4.87), financial aspect (4.87), accessibility and convenience (4.65), and least in general satisfaction (4.54). No sociodemographic variables were found to correlate significantly with satisfaction score (P > .05). In clinical variables, treatment effectiveness was found to be significantly associated with the satisfaction score (P = .002). The study found that overall patients were highly satisfied with the medical services provided by the health facility. Furthermore, the study finds that treatment effectiveness has a more significant effect on patients' satisfaction compared with other factors.

Evaluation of a Unani polyherbal formulation (Tiryaqe wabai) as an immunostimulator in elderly persons.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elderly subjects have a dysregulation of immune response mainly due to the changes in cell - mediated immunity. Due to their weakened immune response, the elderly are at increased risk of infection and related complications. In Unani medicine Tiryaq wabai was used for the prevention of epidemic diseases during outbreaks, but it has not been explored scientifically so far. The study was aimed to evaluate the immune-stimulating effect of Tiryaq wabai in elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted at National Institute of Unani Medicine Hospital, Bangalore. Thirty immunocompromised elderly persons were selected on the basis of clinical examination considering parameters like history of recurrent infection, unexplained weight loss, persistent diarrhea etc. They were randomly assigned, 20 in test and 10 in the control group. Tiryaq wabai was given to test group 500 mg orally thrice in a week for 45 days. Placebo was given orally to the control group at a dose of 500 mg thrice in a week for 45 days. Response was assessed by total leucocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte percentage, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), CD4 and CD8 count. The results were analyzed statistically using Graph Pad InStat 3. RESULTS: The test drug showed statistically significant increase in TLC (P < 0.001), lymphocyte percentage (P < 0.001),ALC (P < 0.001), CD4 count (P < 0.001) in comparison to control group, but increase in CD8 count was not statistically significant. No major adverse effect was observed throughout the study. CONCLUSION: The findings outlined above indicate immune- stimulating activity of Tiryaq wabai and supports its use in conditions where immunostimulation is required and thus is suggestive of therapeutic usefulness.