Unani concept of jaundice and its management

Jaundice is a disease, which is characterized by yellow staining of the skin and sclera by abnormally high blood levels of the bile pigment bilirubin. The yellowing extends to other tissues and body fluids. Bilirubin, a tetrapyrrole pigment, is a brokendown product of heme [ferroprotoporphyrin IX]. About 70 to 80% of the 250 to 300 mg of bilirubin produced each day is derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin in senescent red blood cells. The remainder comes from prematurely destroyed erythroid cells in bone marrow and from the turnover of hemoproteins such as myoglobin and crytochromes found in tissues throughout the body

The philosophy of Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory. The theory was central theme to the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen and it became the dominant theory in Europe for many centuries. As per the Unani system of medicine, the cause of jaundice is the accumulation of yellow or black humours in the cutaneous tissue and its nearby tissues. Based upon the nature of discoloration jaundice is classified into two types: Yellow Jaundice and Black Jaundice

In the allopathic system there lack of effective drugs for jaundice. Some hepatoprotective drugs are available but many side effects are associated with them due to their chemical composition. In Unani system of medicine, this disease can be cured with completely natural and noninvasive methods

Present study was conducted in MIJ Tibbia Unani Medical College, Mumbai in the year 2007. Nine patients suffering from sciatica due to lumbar spine osteoarthritis were selected. Their clinical examinations were conducted to diagnose the sciatica. The X-ray of the lumbar spine was also taken to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of lumbar spines. Massage with Roghan-e-Surkh on the lower back and affected lower limb for 8-10 minutes daily for 14 days caused a significant reduction in the symptoms and signs of sciatica after the completion of study

Theft of Unani formulations for the treatment of various diseases is not new but it is a matter of concern since last couple of decades. However, information regarding Unani Medicine exists in Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other regional languages. The examiners of different national/ international patent offices are unable to understand this information as prior art, before granting patents due to language barrier

Some of the examples of case studies of misappropriation of Pistacia lentiscus Linn is discussed in which the indication of Pistacia lentiscus Linn i.e. anti-inflammatory [mentioned in Unani classical texts] has been claimed for wrong patent

Miraculous effects of honey

Honey is an ancient remedy for the treatment of infected wounds, which has recently been 'rediscovered' by the medical profession, particularly where conventional modern therapeutic agents are failing. There are now many published reports describing the effectiveness of honey in rapidly clearing infection from wounds, with no adverse effects to show the healing process. There is also some evidence to suggest that honey may actively promote healing. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to have an antimicrobial action against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. However, further research is needed to optimize the effective use of this agent in clinical practice

Effect of molybdenum,vitamin [C] and vitamin [B[1]] on the growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments and metabolic activities of stressed-scenedesmus obliquus cultures

The growth criteria [cell count and dry weight] and total photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates, total proteins, free amino acids and praline of stressed- Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly increased up to the level 3 ppm of MoCl[2] of that the control cultures, there above the values all these parameters were significantly decreased. When treated stressed-Scenedesmus obliquus cultures with 200 ppm of either ascorbic acid or thlamine were both supplemented of them separately, the growth criteria, total photosynthetic pigments, total proteins, free amino acids and praline of stressed-Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly increased, as comparison with that the control cultures. Conversely, the total carbohydrate contents significantly decreased, when the algal cultures subjected to various levels [1.5, 3 and 4.5 ppm] of MoCl[2] and treated with 200 of either ascorbic acid or thiamine

Effect of vitamins on growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments and some metabolic products of cobalte chloride stressed scenedesmus obliquus cultures

This study show the effect of applied vitamins ascorbic acid [vitamin C] and thiamine [vitamin B[1]] on growth criteria, total photosynthetic pigments total carbohydrate, total protein, free amino acids and proline contents of stressed Scenedesmus obliquus cultured for 7 days. The growth criteria [cell count and dry weight], total photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate contents, total protein contents, free amino acids and proline of stressed Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly increased, when the algal cultures subjected to lower doses [1.5 and 3 ppm] of CoCI[2] only. On the other side, under relatively higher concentration [4.5 ppm] of CoGl[2] the cell count, dry weight, total photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate contents, total protein contents and free amino acids of CoCl[2] stressed Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly decreased. However, the soluble carbohydrate contents, soluble proteins and praline contents of stressed Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly increased. On the other hand, the parameters tested were significantly increased, when the algal cultures were subject to various doses [1.5, 3 and 4.5 ppm] of CoCI[2] and treated with 200 ppm applied vitamins [ascorbic acid or thiamine]. However, the different carbohydrate fractions [soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrate], soluble proteins of CoC1[2] stressed Scenedesmus obliquus cultures were significantly decreased