COMMENT: Bioethics in Unani medicine: Relevant quotes from Kamilussanah, a 10th century manuscript.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in its Alma Ata Declaration, 1978, focuses on the development, promotion and recognition of the traditional medical systems. India has taken steps in this direction by recognising Unani medicine with other traditional medical systems practised in India. Presently, Government is promoting integration of the recognised traditional medical systems with conventional medicine at the national level, as an interdisciplinary approach to providing better patient-centred care. Bioethics is a field of enquiry that examines ethical issues and dilemmas emerging from medical care and research involving humans. Although the term 'bioethics' was first mentioned in 1927 and later established as a distinct discipline in 1970s, the ethical principles in various contexts had been described centuries ago in the classical texts pertaining to traditional medical systems. Since ethics as a code of conduct was followed by ancient Unani physicians to safeguard the interests of humanity when providing healthcare, it was felt that a review of classical Unani manuscripts should be attempted to give an insight into codes of conduct described by various Unani physicians. In this paper, a 10th century book, "Kamilussanah" authored by Ali ibn Abbas al-Majoosi, also known as Majoosi (930-994 CE), is reviewed through the prism of ethics.

A traditional poly-herbal formulation improves cognitive function in C57BL/6 mice / Una formulación tradicional de poli-hierbas mejora la función cognitiva en ratones C57BL / 6

INTRODUCTION: Khamira Gawzaban Ambari Jadwar Ood Saleeb Wala (KGAJOS) is a polyherbal compound Unani Pharmacopoeial formulation described in traditional Unani texts as Muqawwi-e-Aza-e-Raeesa (tonic for brain, heart, liver and stomach). KGAJOS is reported to possess anxiolytic and antidepressant activity in mice. Though it is used clinically for various neurological conditions, preclinical efficacy of this formulation in learning and memory enhancement / improvement is not established. METHOD: KGAJOS was evaluated for cognitive function improvement activity using Morris water maze test in C57BL/6 mice. Piracetam was used as positive control for comparison. Anymaze video tracking software was used for tracking the path of mice in pool as per standard protocol. RESULTS: During probe trial in Morris water maze test, a significant increase in time spent in platform quadrant was observed at 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw of KGAJOS (p < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) as well as in piracetam group (p < 0.01) compared to vehicle control. Latency to reach the platform quadrant (escape latency) was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in piracetam and KGAJOS group at 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw compared to vehicle control. No change in time spent in platform quadrant and escape latency was observed at 500 mg/kg bw of KGAJOS. CONCLUSIONS: Morris water maze experiment conducted in mice revealed improved learning and memory function of KGAJOS at the dose levels of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw whereas 500 mg/kg bw was not found to be effective. Observed efficacy of KGAJOS confirmed the traditional claims and usage of this formulation in conditions associated with cognition and memory

INTRODUCCIÓN: Khamira Gawzaban Ambari Jadwar Ood Saleeb Wala (KGAJOS) es una formulación de Unani compuesto de poliherbal descrito como tónico para el cerebro, corazón, hígado y estómago. Este estudio se realizó para evaluar la eficacia preclínica de KGAJOS en el aprendizaje y la memoria. MÉTODO: Se evaluó la actividad de mejora de la función cognitiva de KGAJOS utilizando la prueba de laberinto de agua de Morris en ratones C57BL / 6. Se utilizó piracetam como control positivo. Se utilizó el software de seguimiento de video Anymaze para rastrear la ruta. RESULTADOS: Durante la prueba de la sonda, se observó un aumento significativo en el tiempo empleado en el cuadrante de la plataforma a 1000 y 1500 mg / kg de peso corporal de KGAJOS (p < 0,01 y 0,001, respectivamente) y en el grupo de piracetam (p < 0,01) en comparación con el control. La latencia para alcanzar el cuadrante de la plataforma (latencia de escape) se redujo significativamente (p < 0,001) en el grupo de piracetam y KGAJOS a 1000 y 1500 mg / kg de peso corporal en comparación con el control. CONCLUSIONES: El experimento del laberinto de agua de Morris reveló una mejora en la función de aprendizaje y memoria con 1000 y 1500 mg / kg de peso corporal de KGAJOS, mientras que 500 mg / kg de peso corporal no fue efectivo. La eficacia observada de KGAJOS confirmó las afirmaciones tradicionales y el uso de esta formulación en condiciones asociadas con la cognición y la memoria

India-United States Dialogue on Traditional Medicine: Toward Collaborative Research and Generation of an Evidence Base.

Therapies originating from traditional medical systems are widely used by patients in both India and the United States. The first India-US Workshop on Traditional Medicine was held in New Delhi, India, on March 3 and 4, 2016, as a collaboration between the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) of the Government of India, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health, and the Office of Global Affairs, US Department of Health and Human Services. It was attended by Indian and US policymakers, scientists, academics, and medical practitioners from various disciplines. The workshop provided an opportunity to open a dialogue between AYUSH and NCI to identify promising research results and potential topics for Indo-US collaboration. Recommendations that emerged from the workshop underlined the importance of applying rational and scientific approaches for drug development; standardizing traditional medicine products and procedures to ensure reliability and reproducibility; promotion of collaboration between Indian traditional medicine practitioners and researchers and US researchers; greater integration of evidence-based traditional medicine practices with mainstream medical practices in India; and development of training programs between AYUSH and NCI to facilitate crosstraining. Several positive developments took place after the thought-provoking deliberations.